SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University women's soccer team grew by six members Wednesday as Yellow Jacket head coach Rob Blake announced the addition of six student-athletes to the 2017 roster. The additional signings include Ai Asama, Joni Hofer, Lexi Lisenbe, Janie McAmis, Juliann Mecham and Brooke Woods.
 
"With this group of young women we have added some major quality and strength in depth for key areas," Blake said. "We have a great group of young women in this group and it will be very exciting to add them to the rest of the incoming group to form our family for next season and beyond."
 
Ai Asama | 5-4 | MF | Spearfish, S.D. | Merced College
Prep: Played for Harumi Sogo High School in Tokyo, Japan… Division I Champion in Tokyo in 2013… All Japan High School Soccer Tournament Best 8 in 2011…
Personal: Daughter of Yuki and Takahisa Asama… Two brothers: Shota and Hayato… Shota played collegiate soccer in Tokyo… Plans to major in tourism and hospitality management…
Coach Blake on Ai: "This young lady is ready to surprise some people as she has great skill, tactical knowledge and just an all-around love for the game. Ai will bring a whole different perspective to this team and we look forward to what she will be able to accomplish on the field."
 
Joni Hofer | 5-2 | D | Tea, S.D. | Tea Area HS
Prep: Played for Tea High School… Tallied one goal and 13 assists in her career… Served as the team captain her junior and senior years… Played on the State Championship team twice earning runner-up honors both times… Named to the First Team All-State her junior year and Soccer 605 Elite Eleven Team…
Personal: Daughter of Sharon and Simon Hofer… Five siblings: Shania, Jaime, Simon, April and Heidi… Plans to major in elementary education…
Coach Blake on Joni: "Joni helps us grow our South Dakota contingent. Joni has bags of potential, a work ethic and tackles very strong. She has a natural instinct for her position and we will look to get the best out of her."
 
Lexie Lisenbe | 5-3 | MF | Longmont, Colo. | Longmont HS
Prep: Played for Longmont High School where she was an All-Conference selection in 2015, 2016 and 2017… Tallied 11 goals and 11 assists in 52 career high school games… Earned Academic All-State honors… Earned 2016 Colorado State President's Cup Championship…
Personal: Daughter of Melissa Busch and Aaron Lisenbe… One sibling, Tyler… Plans to major in exercise science…
Coach Blake on Lexie: "We were lucky to get Lexie and were very excited. She keeps things smiple, plays the way she faces and has a great work ethic. Lexie fits well in our system and is always looking to improve. She has tactical discipline and will do great things in the conference."
 
Janie McAmis | 5-5 | F | Belle Fourche, S.D. | Western Nebraska CC
Previous: Named Academic All-American at Western Nebraska Community College… Scored four goals and assisted on another… Placed 44.4 percent of her shots on frame…
Prep: Named All-State at Belle Fourche High School… Played on the 2014 South Dakota State Championship team… Ranked third in South Dakota for goals scored as a senior… Named Team Captain as a senior…
Personal: Daughter of Renee and Steve McAmis… Two siblings, Lyndee and Tee… Member of the National Honor Society… Plans to major in exercise science…
Coach Blake on Janie: "Janie as a transfer brings our family a lot of different aspects we are excited about. As a forward, she has strength, an eye for goal and experience. We couldn't ask for a better person to help our family grow."
 
Juliann Mecham | 5-5 | D | Orem, Utah | Timpanogos HS
Prep: All-Region honoree at Timpanogos High School… Suffered injury prior to senior campaign, played in three games… State Champions in 2014 and state finalist in 2015… Named team captain…
Personal: Daughter of Jilene and John Mecham… Three siblings, Jake, Jenalyn and Justin… Member of National Honor Society… Plans to major in biology…
Coach Blake on Juliann: Juliann brings us pace, strength and attacking experience. She is fun loving, laid back and will be a very welcome addition…
 
 
Brooke Woods | 5-4 | D | Fernandina Beach, Fla. | Fernandina Beach HS
Prep: Played for Fernandina Beach High School… Played in 52 games with 8 goals and 26 assists in her career… Named to the All-Conference, All-Region and All-State teams her sophomore and junior year for defensive performance… Named Defensive Player of the Year her sophomore and junior campaigns… Named to the Academic All-Conference team for four years… Member of National Honor Society…
Personal: Daughter of Kelly and Chris Woods… Two sisters: Lindsey and Rachel… Plans to major in elementary education…
Coach Blake on Brook: "Brooke is a hard working, strong tackling defender that wears her heart on her sleeve. Brooke will bring us great strength in depth and will help us improve our competiveness, and overall we look to see a lot coming from Brooke."
 
The six join eight previous signees to the women's soccer team bringing the 2017 signing class to 14. In all, five states are represented in the signing class with six individuals from South Dakota, four from Colorado, two from Utah and one each from Florida and Wyoming.
 
"Overall, we are very excited for all of our incoming recruits and know this is an even better group that has a lot of potential for the future," Blake added.