SAN DIEGO – Head coach Greg LaPorte and the women's soccer program have officially announced the addition of four transfers, who have joined the active roster this spring.
 
Joining the Toreros are Katie Bessemer (Sacramento State), Aliya Garrett (Salt Lake CC), Elle Soleau (San Francisco/Boise State) and Natalie Yoo (Texas A&M/Coastal Carolina).
 
KATIE BESSEMER
Bessemer joins the Toreros after competing for the first two seasons of her collegiate career at Sacramento State. Bessemer will have two years of eligibility left.
 
A native of Elk Grove, Calif. Bessemer was an important piece of the Hornets lineup for the last two seasons, playing in 1,504 minutes over 31 games. In addition, Bessemer made 14 starts, including playing a full 90 minutes in the 2022 Big Sky Tournament opener against Weber State.
 
Bessemer joins a budding group of forwards as an attacking option for LaPorte after losing All-WCC honorable mention honoree Olivia Stone to graduation last season.
 
ALIYA GARRETT
Garrett joins the Toreros after spending two seasons at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Garrett will have three seasons of eligibility remaining,
 
A native of Canada, who attended Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria, Arizona, Garrett joins the Toreros after excelling as the starting goalkeeper for the Bruins. After redshirting her first season, Garrett shined in year two, playing and starting in 15 games, where she made 44 saves and recorded nine shutouts, while holding a 0.74 goals against average and an .800 save percentage.
 
Garrett was named the 2023 Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) Goalkeeper of the Year and also took home SWAC Goalkeeper of the Week honors. Under her steady presence in net, the Bruins won the SWAC regular season title and defended their Region 18 title, before earning an at-large bid to the NJCAA Tournament.
 
ELLE SOLEAU
Soleau makes her return to the WCC after spending the first two seasons of her career at San Francisco. Soleau arrives in San Diego via Boise State, where she played last season.
 
Prior to an injury affected season at Boise State, Soleau was a key piece of the San Francisco lineup from the start of her career, earning All-WCC Freshman Team honors back in 2021. Soleau made 36 appearances and 33 starts in her career with the Dons, playing over 2,200 minutes and scoring two goals and adding an assist.
 
Soleau is no stranger to Torero Stadium, where she last played 80 minutes in a 0-0 draw back on Oct. 29, 2022.
 
NATALIE YOO
Yoo joins the Toreros for her final season of eligibility after spending last season at Coastal Carolina. Prior to her arrival at Coastal Carolina, Yoo played and graduated from Texas A&M, where she spent three seasons.
 
Yoo played in 12 games for Coastal Carolina last season, scoring the game-winning goal against College of Charleston and played in 471 minutes. Prior to that, Yoo spent three seasons with the Aggies, where she tallied a goal and an assist at the midfield position. Yoo was also named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2021.
 
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