COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team jumped ahead on National Signing Day to add three high-level student-athletes as Makayla Merlo, Kelsey Takahashi, and Marissa Garcia sign their NLI's to become Mountain Lions.

From Broomfield, Colo., Merlo is a four-year varsity letter winner who is set to graduate in 2020 from Legacy High School. Merlo has helped the Legacy to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2017-19, while also lifting her club team to a Colorado State Championship and President Cup National Championship where she was named MVP of the President Cup Nationals. As a key piece on Legacy's team, her stellar play has led to such awards as second team all-state, Golden Boot Award, first team all-conference, and Front Range League Player of the Year Runner-Up. Following her impressive play on the pitch, Merlo has excelled in the classroom where she's a two-time academic letter winner and a two-time academic all-state selection. Merlo is also active in extracurricular activities such as being a three-time Student Leadership President, a member of DECA, and a member of Olympians.

Merlo is a student-athlete who UCCS Women's Soccer Head Coach Sian Hudson sees as wearing multiple hats in the Mountain Lion lineup:

"Makayla is another player that can fill different roles for us, but we see her as a box to box midfielder in our system of play," says Hudson. "She is extremely gifted on the ball, has the capability to drive past defenders on the dribble and she scores goals out of the midfield. While her attacking flair is there for all to see, Makayla is a workhorse defensively and embodies all of the defensive traits we look for in our #8."

A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Takahashi joins the Mountain Lion team as a midfielder who is set to graduate from 'Iolani School in 2020. Takahashi is a four-year varsity letter winner who is a two-time state champion with the 'Iolani School Raiders. She has been a consistent playmaker for the Raiders in her four years as her explosive style of play has earned her three Division I ILH First Team All-Conference selections, two first team all-state selections, and second team all-state. Takahashi's academics are equally as impressive as her on the field play as a two-time Honor Roll student, and a recipient of the Headmaster's Award for a 3.5 GPA or higher each quarter.

Takahashi's talents as an attacking midfielder excites Coach Hudson as the Hawaiian native joins the program:

"Kelsey is a midfield playmaker with fantastic tight control and dribbling ability. Her vision and awareness to play balls in behind or score goals out of the midfield are top notch, and she comes to us as one of the best attacking central midfielders in the West Region. Kelsey is a quiet and unassuming personality off the field, but a fierce competitor on it. We are excited to add our first Hawaiian player to our program."

Marissa Garcia joins the program from Las Vegas, Nev. where she is graduating from Bishop Gorman High School in 2020. A team captain, Garcia has been a staple for the Bishop Gorman Gaels' backline as she's helped boast the Gaels to two state championships, two regional championships, and a No. 1 National Ranking by USA Today in 2018. On the Club Team side, Garcia has accomplished incredible feats by become a three-time state champion and a Region IV ODP Champion. She also takes her academics to the highest level by being a four-year A-B Honor Roll Student, a member of the National Honor Society, and getting set to graduate with an Advanced Honors Diploma.

Not only is Coach Hudson excited about adding Garcia's style of play to the team, but Hudson sees her character being a great addition to the team as well:

"Marissa is a technically sophisticated player who can play in the midfield or anywhere across the backline. Her composure on the ball, aerial ability, competitive nature and understanding of the game will help her make a seamless transition into our style of play. Having coached her at the Regional ODP level, I know Marissa well and can tell you that she will not only add to the team off the field, but her character and personality will add another dimension to our team chemistry."

Merlo, Takahashi, and Garcia will be joining the number one ranked team in the nation as the Mountain Lions get set to host the RMAC Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. inside Mountain Lion Stadium.