By: Leon Mitchell, GSU Athletic Communications
GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University women's soccer head coach
Justin Wagar has announced the program's 2025 signing class, highlighted by the addition of 15 new players.
The talented group features five transfers and 10 incoming freshmen. Each player is expected to strengthen a roster that finished second in the SWAC in 2024, missing the regular season title by just one point.
Over the past eight seasons, Grambling State has emerged as a perennial SWAC contender, reaching the conference championship match six times and securing two championship titles.
During that span, the Tigers have compiled an impressive 71-47-14 record. The 2024 squad was once again a force offensively, leading the conference in scoring for the second consecutive year with 44 goals in 21 games.
The team also ranked in the top 10 percent nationally in both points per game (30th) and assists per game (31st).
With seven starters returning and a dynamic mix of experience and youth joining the ranks, GSU is aiming to build on last year's success.
"I'm really excited about our team for next year," said Coach Wagar. "We have a great group of experienced returners and a talented incoming recruiting class which bodes well for the team. I think we'll have an opportunity to really do something special in 2025."
Among the new faces is a 2024 First Team All-SWAC selection and mid-year transfer from Mississippi Valley State, sophomore striker
Liana Bryant . She finished second in the conference in scoring, recording nine of her team's 13 goals and ranking 24th nationally in goals per game.
The Colorado native enters the season with 10 goals and two assists through 25 collegiate appearances.
5-9 forward
Nyla Dore-Anderson arrives from Brampton, Ontario. A former provincial team selection in Canada, she scored against Quebec before suffering an ACL injury during her senior year.
Bringing versatility to both the winger and outside back positions,
Chloe Lofters of Ajax, Ontario, is known for her quickness and creativity. She ranked among the top five scorers in Ontario's OPDL league while playing for Markham City FC and also reached the provincial finals in the 400 meters as a standout track athlete.
A product of the Dallas Texans ECNL program,
Layla Jackson is a relentless competitor who has played both midfield and wing. She has earned five ECNL Player of the Week honors you and three All-District First Team selection.
Transferring from Paris Junior College,
Ciara Johnson brings leadership and versatility. She captained her team while earning All-Conference recognition and developed through the Texans ECNL-R program. Johnson is originally from Red Oak, Texas.
Chloe Bryant, is a standout midfielder from Sting Black ECNL. Her accolades include ECNL Texas First Team All-Conference, an appearance in the ECNL Showcase All-Star Game, and district honors as Offensive MVP.
San Diego native
Olivia Hostetler offers championship pedigree from her time with Albion SC's Girls Academy program, which won national titles in 2019 and 2022, and the 2023 GA Cup. She earned First Team All-Western League honors in 2024-25.
With international experience and creativity,
Giulia Altomare joins the midfield after two seasons with Villarreal FC in Spain. The Vancouver native, ranked 37th nationally in Canada by FTF, brings flair and vision to the Tigers.
A transfer from the University of the Pacific,
Taya Sands contributed over 1,000 minutes in the WCC and helped her former team achieve its second-highest win total in over a decade. The California native was a three-time All-Conference honoree and Defensive MVP, having trained with Strikers ECNL.
Heyden Grant hails from London, Ontario, where she captained Whitecaps London OPDL backline to a divisional title. Ranked 50th in Canada by FTF, she brings strong distribution and one-on-one defending ability.
5-10 defender/midfielder
Mariyah Bumgarner starred with Slammers FC ECNL-R, one of California's top programs. She was named Marine League Player of the Year twice and served as MVP for San Pedro High School.
Speed, tenacity, and athleticism define
Danielle Ross , who joins from Solar SC ECNL-R. She is a state champion track athlete in the 100m, 200m, and relay events and contributes as both an outside back and midfielder.
With nearly 1,700 minutes played over two seasons at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi,
Cariana Pou brings Division I experience and poise. The 5-11 Florida native started 17 games and adds technical skill and size to the defensive unit.
At goalkeeper,
Jaylyn Hammond joins from Tulsa SC's ECNL 07 team. A reliable shot-stopper, she earned All-State and Academic All-State honors.
Jaliyah Clark is a freshman transfer goalkeeper from Lamar University, where she redshirted her first year. She is a former starter at IMG Academy and standout with the SoCal Blues ECNL team.
FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS
For complete coverage of Grambling State Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /GramblingStateTigers1901 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram), or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
