BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's soccer team added five players, Meg Sheppard, Paloma Martinez, Wasila Diwura, Kaisa Juvonen, and Chamelle Wiltshire to the 2019 roster, Head Coach Steve Holeman announced.
 
"Our staff is very excited about these young women who have chosen to continue their playing career at Lamar University," remarked head coach Steve Holeman. "This is an experienced and talented group of players who have the ability to step in and contribute right away.  With the loss of four key seniors who all received Southland Conference accolades, it was very important that we bring in a quality class for 2019 and we feel confident we have been successful in that challenge."
 
Two of LU's recruits hail from the Lone Star State. Meg Sheppard is from Nederland, Texas and Paloma Martinez is from Beaumont. Three of the recruits add international flavor as Wasila Diwura is from Accra, Ghana, Kaisa Juvonen is from Tampere, Finland and Chamelle Wiltshire is from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Name                                Pos.             Hometown                              Last School
Meg Sheppard                    F                 Nederland, Texas                    Nederland HS
Paloma Martinez              MF/F             Beaumont, Texas                     Monsignor Kelly Catholic HS
Wasila Diwura                    MF              Accra, Ghana                           Navarro College
Kaisa Juvonen                    D                Tampere, Finland                     Tampere Sports Academy
Chamelle Wiltshire              D               Johannesburg, South Africa   Oral Roberts University

Meg Sheppard
Sheppard played at Nederland High School in Nederland, Texas. During the 2018 season, Sheppard was named the 22-5A District Offensive MVP. Over her first three years of her high school season, Sheppard scored 122 goals and dished out 48 assists. She scored 46 goals during her junior season.
 
During her freshman year at Nederland, Sheppard scored 32 goals and dished out 15 assists as she was named 22-5A District Newcomer of the Year. In her sophomore season, she tallied 44 goals and had 18 assists and was named to the Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Team.
 
Sheppard played club soccer for Albion Hurricanes FC East and Albion Hurricanes ECNL. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and A&B Honor Roll. She has earned Academic All-District honors her first three years of high school. She plans to major in nursing at Lamar.
 
Holeman about Sheppard: "Meg is one of the top 2019's in southeast Texas and we are thrilled that she chose to stay close to home.  She is extremely fast and has the pace to get in behind defenses.  Her speed makes her a threat to turn nothing into something and that's going to be a problem for any opponent.  Her potential is limitless, and we can't wait to get her into our system and see her development."
 
Head Coach for the Dynamo/Dash Youth Jose Alvarado about Sheppard: "Meg Shephard is a strong and speedy center forward who can play as a right wing or a right back. Meg loves to take players on 1v1 and create goal scoring opportunities. In last fall's club season, she was our leading scorer with 18 goals in US Club soccer's 'A' bracket.  I would like to thank Meg for a great season and wish her the best at the next level."
 
Paloma Martinez
Martinez played at Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont, Texas. She helped the team to three playoff appearances over her first three years. During her first three years of high school play, Martinez scored 38 goals and assisted on 38 others.
 
During her freshman season, she scored 12 goals and had 10 assists in 26 games. As a sophomore, she had nine goals and 15 assists as she earned First Team All-District honors. She earned Second Team All-District honors as a junior when she tallied 17 goals and had 13 assists.
 
She played club soccer for Dash DA and Rush ECNL in Houston, Texas. She earned Academic All-State honors and is part of A&B Honor Roll. Martinez plans to major in exercise science and fitness management at LU.
 
Holeman about Martinez: "Paloma is another one of the top local players who decided to pursue her college career close to home.  She is a solid all-around player who has an excellent left foot, a strong shot, and great ability on the ball. Her experience playing in the DA, where she competes with and against the nation's top players on a weekly basis, will provide an excellent foundation for Division I college soccer."
 
Girl's DA Director for Dynamo/Dash Youth Randy Evans about Martinez: "Paloma is a dynamic player, sharp on the ball, with a terrific left foot.  Primarily an attacking personality but is versatile enough to play in any of the lines."
 
Wasila Diwura
Diwura comes to Lamar from Navarro College where she was a two-time, NJCAA First Team All-American selection. Diwura became only the third Navarro player in program history to be a two-time First-Team NJCAA Soccer All-American. During her two years at Navarro, she scored 30 goals, nine were game-winners and assisted on 28 others. She tallied 88 points.
 
During the 2018 season, Diwura recorded 18 goals and 16 assists and helped the Bulldogs reach the NJCAA Tournament Quarterfinals. On Sept. 5, Diwura scored five goals and dished out three assists in an 11-0 victory over Northeast Texas. She had four games where she scored two or more goals last season.
 
Diwura was also a member of U20s World Cup team for Ghana. During the U20s World Cup, Diwura played 260 minutes for Ghana.
 
Holeman about Diwura: "With the loss of Juli Ocampo, the Southland Conference midfielder of the year, Wasila joins our program at the perfect time. She is crafty, quick, and dangerous on the dribble. She can create for herself or her teammates and can change a game in an instant. Her international and world cup experience along with her time at highly ranked Navarro will be instrumental in her transition to Lamar."
 
Head Coach of Navarro College Alicia Wilson about Diwura: "With the signing of Wasila, Lamar has one of the most sought-after players in the nation.  Wasila exemplifies hard work and commitment on and off the field.  She is very loyal, and we will miss coaching her next fall!"
 
Kaisa Juvonen
Juvonen comes to Beaumont, Texas from the Tampere Sports Academy in Tampere, Finland. During the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Juvonen helped the Tampere Sports Academy earn second place finishes at the National Tournament of Sport Academy's.
 
She also was a member of the Ilves WU 18 team from 2016-19. She was a member of the Ilves WU 18 in the Finish National League and a member of the Ilves Women's Team. Juvonen was the starting center back for the U-17 National Team, that qualified for their first ever U17 World Cup. She played in every match at the U17 World Cup for Finland.

Juvonen plans to major in general business at LU.
 
Holeman about Juvonen: "Kaisa is one of the top center backs in Finland and a mainstay on the U-17 national team. Her experience as a starter in last year's U-17 World Cup will make for a smooth transition into the college game. She will provide quality service out of the back, composure in possession, and a strong aerial presence."

Assistant Coach for the Tampere Sports Academy Mika Laahtinen about Juvonen: "Kaisa is fast, strong, and very athletic central defender. Her special quality is her ability in the air.  She reads the game very well and delivers quality short and long range passes. Kaisa is one of the main players in the Finland girls' national teams and represented Finland at the U17 World Cup playing in every match."
 
Chamelle Wiltshire
Wiltshire comes to Lamar after playing her freshman season at Oral Roberts University. Following her freshman season, Wiltshire was named Second Team All-Summit League and to the All-Freshman Team.
The defender from Johannesburg, South Africa appeared in 17 games while making 15 starts for the Golden Eagles. She recorded two assists on the season, which were second most on the team. Both of her assists came on Oct. 14 against Western Illinois.
 
Prior to attending Oral Roberts, Wiltshire was a graduate of Tuks Sport High School in Johannesburg, South Africa. She played soccer for Coach Sheryl Botes. Besides playing for Tuks Sport High School, Wiltshire played for the U17 and U20 South African National Teams. She was the vice-captain for the U17 and the captain for the U20 team.

Holeman about Wiltshire: "Chamelle is an extremely talented, left-footed defender who can play anywhere on the backline.  Her decision-making and composure on the ball are advanced. She is a fantastic 1v1 defender with exceptional quickness and great aerial presence. She is one of the best I've seen in terms of connecting out the back and that will fit perfectly into our system."
 
Head Coach for Tuks Sports Nathan Peskin about Wiltshire: "Chamelle Wiltshire is an exciting defender with great attacking ability down the flanks. She has a great left foot that can deliver quality crosses and attacking balls. In defense she is calm and composed and reads the game incredibly well. She can play at center back or left quite comfortably. Chamelle is definitely a big match player and someone you can count on when the chips are down. She will be a great asset to Lamar and I'm looking forward to watching her play for the Cards this season."

The Cardinals posted a record of 12-6-2 in 2018 and 7-2-2 in Southland Conference play. They had seven student-athletes earn All-Southland Conference honors including the Southland Conference Midfielder of the Year.