DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU women's soccer team inked five newcomers to next season's roster during National Signing Day on Wednesday.
In 2023, SMU went 11-6-1 with a 5-3-1 conference mark in the second season under Head Coach
Nicole Nelson. The Mustangs returned to the American Athletic Conference Championship for the second consecutive season, defeating Tulsa and Florida Atlantic to reach the final.
The Mustangs went 6-3-0 in non-conference play, including victories over Big-12 opponents Oklahoma State and Baylor and a ranked win over No. 25 Tennessee.
The Mustangs received votes in four of the United Soccer Coaches Poll in 2023.
SMU and its five fall signees will look to build on its success in 2023 as the Mustangs enter the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.
Nicole Stryker | D/MF | Loomis, California / IMG Academy
Nicole Stryker joins the Mustangs after playing high school club soccer for IMG's Academy Elite. Stryker is a four-time Academic Honor Roll honoree, and has been a member of the National Honor Society all fours years of high school. Stryker plans to study Business at SMU.
Stryker on choosing SMU:
"SMU is a perfect school for me to continue to a high level of academics and soccer competition, as well as the competitive and family-oriented team culture SMU has."
Lydia Ungashick | MF | Overland Park, Kansas / Blue Valley West
Lydia Ungashick joins the Mustangs after lettering two years at Blue Valley West High School. There, Ungashick earned first-team all-state, all-conference and all-metro in 2022 and 2023 as a team captain. Ungashick was a state champion in 2022, and was voted Team MVP in 2023. Ungashick also competed in club soccer for Sporting Blue Valley ECNL and helped the club reach third place in 2022 nationals.
Ungashick on choosing SMU:
"SMU has a standard of excellence in both athletics and academics. The coaching staff implements a sense of community and they truly care about each player."
Liz Eddy | F | McKinney, Texas / McKinney Boyd
Liz Eddy joins the Mustangs as a three-year letterwinner at McKinney Boyd High School. There, Eddy earned All-District selections her sophomore and junior seasons and was named Team MVP her sophomore year. Eddy was also an All-Region honoree her junior year, and was selected to the district's second team her freshman season. Along with high school competition, Eddy played for FC Dallas. In high school, Eddy earned Academic Honor Roll all four years and was a member of the National Honors Society. Eddy plans to study Business at SMU.
Eddy on choosing SMU:
"After moving all over, Dallas has grown to be my home. The people and campus of SMU are extremely welcoming, and I felt I was meant to be a Mustang. The coaching staff and girls on the team will push me to be the best I can be, and I cannot wait to grow athletically and academically at such a prestigious school."
Paxton Bock | D | Scottsdale, Arizona / Notre Dame Preparatory
Paxton Bock joins the Mustangs after earning Region Offensive Player of the Year and All-Region honors at Notre Dame Preparatory. There, Bock served as a captain and helped lead her team to the Arizona 5A semifinals. Bock also played club soccer for Utah Royals FC, and competed at the YNT National Camp in February, 2020. In high school, Bock served in a Student Leadership Position and dedicated over 60 hours to community service. Bock plans to study Law at SMU.
Bock on choosing SMU:
"I love the culture and atmosphere that the soccer program has. SMU has everything I want academically, and also love everything it has to offer while being a student athlete as well."
Sadie Paul | F | Fort Worth, Texas / IMG Academy
Sadie Paul joins the Mustangs after playing for IMG Academy Elite. Paul also lettered in track, swimming, softball, basketball and won a state championship in field hockey throughout her high school career. Paul plans to study Business at SMU.
Paul on choosing SMU:
"SMU feels like home to me. I am excited for the athletic and academic opportunities the university and program have to offer."
