BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Bellevue University head women's soccer coach Tom White has announced the signing of Lexia Aranda (Normal, Ill.) to a Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at Bellevue beginning this spring.
The daughter of Cristian and Amy Aranda, Lexia attended Normal Community West High School and played high school soccer under coach Valentine Walker. The highlight of her high school career came during her junior season as the Wildcats qualified for the Illinois State Tournament and earned a fourth place finish.
Before joining Bellevue, Aranda attended Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill. where she was a part of the 2019 Conference Championship team. During her spell at HCC, Aranda contributed a pair of goals and six assists from the midfield.
Coach White on Aranda:
"We are very excited that Lexia will be joining us this spring. She is an intelligent footballer who can play anywhere on the pitch. Her willingness to help the team succeed is exactly why she is a Bruin. Lexia will give us more depth and competition within the squad in all positions."
Aranda joins previously announced signees Shadine Rutherford (Kingston, Jamaica), Rendi Takara-Haraki (Mililani, Hawaii), Emma Madej (Omaha, Neb.) Jenn Amaro (Mexico City, Mexico), Ella Pelletier (Papillion, Neb.), Ximena Jauregui (Cancun, Mexico), Mireia Fernandez (Matadepera, Barcelona), Claudia Gallegos (Quito, Ecuador), and Ketlyn Rota (Porto, Portugal) in the Bruins' 2022 recruiting class.
Bellevue wrapped up a successful 2021 campaign by returning to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2014. Despite an injury-riddled and trying season on the field, the Bruins won their semifinal at the CAC Tournament for the first time to secure a spot in the NAIA Opening Round.
