@MSUDenverWSOC: Mertz Completes Recruiting Class

Three transfers round out Roadrunners' contingent

DENVER – MSU Denver women's soccer coach Kat Mertz has announced a completed recruiting class for the 2021 season.

The group includes three recruits who have signed since Mertz became head coach, two recruits that signed earlier in the academic year, and three other previously-announced recruits.

The full recruiting class includes fall signees Kylie Bach, Tessa Killmon and Emi Matalon.

"I am looking forward to working with this talented group of newcomers," Mertz said. "The previous staff did a fantastic job with recruiting top-level goalkeepers from across the country as well as keeping the top local talent home in Denver. I was able to bring in three transfers who all have great experience playing in competitive environments. They have proven success, and I believe they will be able to make an immediate impact on and off the field.

"The class as whole will be able to help our team accomplish our goal of being back on top of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference."

A capsule look at the most recent recruits:

Kayla Caballero | GK | 5-8 | Fr. | Gilbert, Ariz. | Campo Verde HS

High School

Team captain as a senior.
Played for 2021 and 2019 Class 5A state champions.
All-region second team, 2018.
As a senior, posted a record of 17-1 with 10 shutouts, a 0.68 goals-against average and an .878 save percentage.
In four varsity seasons, was 32-14 with 19 shutouts, a 1.13 GAA and an .805 save percentage.
Posted GAAs of 1.30 in 2020, 1.16 as a sophomore and 1.62 as a freshman.
Also competed in track & field.

Club:

Played for AZ Arsenal SC U18/19.
Played for Arizona state champions, 2018.

Ellie MacKendrick | D | 5-6 | So. | Winter Park, Colo. | Middle Park HS | Laramie County CC (Wyo.)

Before MSU Denver:

Earned All-Region IX second team honors at Laramie County Community College (Wyo.), while playing for playing for the region champions.
Played defender and had two goals and three assists.

High School:

All-state selection in 2019.
Three-time All-Frontier League first team selection, including twice as a first-team pick.
Played forward and had 27 career goals and 38 assists in 61 career games.
Had 13 goals and 13 assists as a senior.
Had a career-best 14 assist while scoring seven goals as a junior.
Also played basketball and was an All-Frontier League player for 2018-19 and a two-time all-academic honoree while averaging 3.4 points in 59 career games.

Ella McGahey | GK | 5-7 | Fr. | Wesley Chapel, Fla. | Winegrass Ranch HS

High School:

As a senior at Winegrass Ranch, went 11-6-2 with seven shutouts, a 1.007 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage, leading the Bulls to a 14-6-3 record, the District 5 championship and a national ranking of 171.
As a junior the McGahey and the Bulls were 19-2-1 and advanced to the regional semifinals.
For her career, was 22-7-2 with 13 shutouts, a 0.73 GAA and an .884 save percentage.

Club:

Played for Florida Premier FC.

Regan Ostler | D | 5-6 | So. | Fort Collins, Colo. | Rocky Mountain HS | North Dakota State

Before MSU Denver:

Played two seasons at Division I North Dakota State.
Earned Academic All-Summit League honor roll recognition.
Played 11 minutes against Denver during the 2020-21 season.
Appeared in three games in 2019, including a season-high 17 minutes against both Montana on Aug. 25 and Northern Iowa on Sept. 15.

High School:

All-Front Range League second team for Rocky Mountain in 2019 after earning All-FRL second team in 2018.
Earned the team's Lobo Way Award.

Personal:

Sister, Riley Ostler, also plays for the MSU Denver women's soccer team.

Spent two seasons at Western Oregon, but did not play in 2020-21.
Great Northwest Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year and All-GNAC honorable mention in 2019.
Scored one goal and added three assists during the 2019 season while playing 1,474 minutes.
Played two seasons at Lane Community College (Ore.), scoring 31 goals with 16 assists for 78 points, including 18 goals and seven assists as a sophomore in 2018, earning Northwest Athletic Conference all-star recognition for the second straight season.
Played for Erica Mertz, wife of MSU Denver coach Kat Mertz, at Lane.

High School: