PORTLAND, Ore.— Director of Soccer and Head Women's Soccer Coach
Jim Tursi announced the addition of six first-year players ahead of his 16th season leading the program.
"All six newcomers have the opportunity to make an immediate impact this season," Tursi said. "Recruiting two quality goalkeepers was our top priority after we graduated two goalkeepers last season and lost our returning goalkeeper to a season-ending injury. We also added two defenders to strengthen our backline and two players who will bring much-needed speed and pace to our attack."
The six first-year players join 19 returning River Otters, including All-Northwest Conference selection
Ava Lazzara and six seniors.
Lucia Barrón Núñez – Montevideo, Uruguay – Goalkeeper
Attended United World College East Africa High School … played club for Arusha Rhinos and Club Nacional de Football (Uruguayan team) … played soccer, volleyball and ultimate frisbee in high school … captain of her soccer, volleyball and ultimate frisbee teams … received the Sportsmanship Award two consecutive years … member of the Sustainability Committee at UWC East Africa … leader in her residence … participated in volunteer work in Uruguay … father was a goalkeeper for the Artigas Department Representative Team and competed in the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) league.
Kara Dougherty – Boulder, Colo. – Defender
Attended Boulder High School … played club soccer for Albion Colorado SC … played soccer all four years and women's basketball for three years … helped her high school soccer team win the Rocky Mountain League Championships in 2024, 2025 and 2026 … was named to the Honorable Mention Team in soccer … won the Heroa Respect Award in soccer … was a two-time BHS Defensive Player of the Year in basketball … earned the Panther Award in basketball … received the Opdycke Athletic Award … was a Peer Mentor of the Year Award recipient … received the AP Scholar with Distinction … mother, Antonia Merzon ran cross country at NCAA DI Princeton University.
Dayja Fellers – Los Alamos, N.M. – Midfielder/ Forward
Attended Los Alamos High School … played club for the New Mexico Soccer Academy GA 2008 … competed in soccer all four years and track for one year … was a First Team All-District selection all four years … earned Academic All-District all four years … was a 2026 All-Star … was a First Team All-State selection … earned Second Team All-State in 2023 … helped high school team win the District Championship ... earned MVP in five games ... was a two time Mountain West Regional Talent ID participant … helped record the state record in the 4x400 … helped her high school track team win the State Championship in 2024 … grandpa played college basketball.
Julia Hawkins — Seattle, Wash. – Defender
Attended Lincoln High School … played club for Emerald City Football Club … helped her high school team to the League Championships in 2023 and 2026 … won the Tukwila Cup in 2024 … helped her high school team become Washington Cup Finalists in 2023-24 … mother played volleyball and basketball at Colorado College … father played baseball and football at Colorado College … sister is a sophomore on the Whitman College women's soccer team.
Olivia Melanson – West Kelowna, Canada – Midfielder
Attended Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School … played for the Okanagan United Football Club … three-time Female Athlete of the Year … three-time MVP … helped high school team win two BC Provincial Championships … mother played U Sports soccer at Mount Alison University … uncle played NCAA Division I hockey at the University of New Hampshire.
Mallory Symons — McMinnville, Ore. – Goalkeeper
Attended McMinnville High School … played club for Capital Futbol Club … was captain of her high school team … selected to the All-League Honorable Mention Team … attended the PNW ID camp … was the Academic Club president … older sister played women's soccer at Chemeketa Community College and Corbin University.
