ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University Women's Soccer and Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero welcome three freshmen and two transfers for the second part of the 2022 early signing class. 

The Golden Grizzlies will graduate nine squad members that produced a .605 win percentage through 19 games played including Sophie Wilsey as 2022 #HLWSOC Player of the Year while Karabo Dhlamini and Kendra Zak earned First Team All-League honors.

Sami Lopez, Alexa Sabbagh, and Noemi Stadelmann also garnered All-League Second Team attention. The team was highlighted by the 14th-best team goals-against average in NCAA Division I at .579 just behind nationally-ranked Michigan State and above power programs such as Alabama and North Carolina.

With a total of five talented newcomers including Frankie Mudd, Sunniva Raaen, Maria Saavedra, Jhelysse Anthony, and Putri Sazali the Golden Grizzlies women's soccer program is looking forward to the 2023 season. 

"With these players, we continue to strengthen the roster as we look ahead to the 2023 season. We add more versatility, technical ability, and goal-scoring promise. Adding these three players to the seven we signed in November makes this class strong in numbers but, more importantly, high in quality," said Favero, "While we are satisfied with where we are at with this new group of players, we continue to put the finishing touches to the team as we continue to address the needs of our team as we strive to continue to be one of the top programs in the Horizon League."

FRANKIE MUDD

Mudd spent the last season as Bronco at Western Michigan, appearing in seven games while producing five shots as a freshman, two of which were on goal. The Troy native was a national champion in 2021 with Nationals Soccer Club. Notably, Mudd's uncle, Paul Rice, is OU's Cross Country Head Coach and Director of Track & Field.

"Frankie is a player we had recruited out of high school as we had seen her do really well for her Nationals club team, so we were really excited she contacted us once she entered the transfer portal," said Favero, "She is a forward that can play internally or wide, and she has a knack for scoring goals.  Thrilled to welcome her back home."

SUNNIVA RAAEN

The Vikersund, Norway native has played for four different clubs while in her native northern European country with Vikersund IF, Modom FK, Holeværingen IF, and Hønefoss BK with championships coming with the latter of the four clubs. 

"Sunniva is an extremely gifted midfielder who can play several different roles for us.  Her style of play, including her tactical intelligence and technical prowess, makes her an ideal fit for how we play.  Our program has done really well with players from Norway and Sunniva will be another proud Norwegian to the black and gold," said Favero.

MARIA SAAVEDRA

The London, Ontario native is a product of the Whitecaps London Soccer Team with the accolades of being one of the area's number one goal scorers for the 2021-22 season, along with receiving the Spartan award for the best player of the season on her high school soccer team, respectively.

"Maria is a goal-scorer.  Her technical ability and tactical intelligence should also help make her transition to Oakland a quick one. We are thrilled she decided to come to become part of the Golden Grizzlies," said Favero.

JHELYSSE ANTHONY

The Bay High School product will come to Oakland following a stint with Trinidad & Tobago's U17/U20 CONCACAF world cup-qualifying national team. The Ohioan was a National Honor Society member in high school and a Cleveland Municipal Courts Intern and Buckeye Girls State delegate. 

"Jhelysse is a versatile player. Her athleticism, technical ability, and overall soccer pedigree stood out immediately throughout the recruiting process" said Favero, "All of these traits make her an ideal fit for us, and it is always great to add another player with National team experience to our team."

PUTRI SAZALI

The Singapore native, and transfer from Eastern Florida State College comes across the country to add her talent to Rochester. The transfer also spent a period of time playing at Cumberland University prior to her time at Eastern Florida State College. Notably, soccer runs in the family as Putri's brother, Syahrul Sazali, has been playing professionally for the Tampines Rovers since 2017.

"Putri's experience both at the junior college and national team level is a welcome addition to our back line.  Her technical ability, athleticism, and assertiveness going forward make her an ideal fit for our team.  We are thrilled to have her join us in January!" said Favero.