BEAUMONT, Texas - Seven more players are joining the Lamar University soccer team for the 2025 season, head coach
Nathan Kogut Monday morning. The septet of newcomers joins six transfers who started their LU careers in the spring semester. The Cardinals welcome a pair of British freshmen plus five transfers, including three who have combined to score 47 goals over the last two seasons.
"After the success of our winter transfer portal group, we knew we could be more judicious in our search and offers this past May," Kogut said. "This group of newcomers comes to us with a lot of high-level minutes at the club and college level, meaning they will be ready to roll once the training starts."
Eloise Bywater - 5-10 - GK - Manchester, England
Bywater joins the team after spending last season in goal for the Doncaster Rovers Belles of the FA Women's National League Division One North, which included 10 starts. She also made appearances with both Manchester City F.C. and Halifax F.C.
"We are so excited to get Eloise to Beaumont," said Coach Kogut. "She is someone we wanted to have in 2024, so we are ready to see her show everyone what we've seen for a while. She trained at such a high level in England, and we know our team will respond well to someone of her level behind them."
Celine Diaz - 5-1 - Forward - Ft. Worth, Texas (Birdville HS/North Texas)
Joining her fellow North Texas teammate,
Katherine Williams, Diaz made seven appearances with the Mean Green last season and recorded a shot on goal against Temple. In high school, she earned 2023 TASCO 5A Second-Team All-Region honors for the Hawks. Diaz was also named as her district's offensive player of the year and first-team all-district. On the club circuit, she was a member of Sting Black.
"We've been fortunate to watch Celine develop in club and college over the last couple of seasons and we are excited to have her in our program now," said Coach Kogut. "She is a crafty, technical attacking threat who adds another dimension to our team. She wants to have the ball and enjoy it, something we value in our team."
Chloe Ezell - 5-5 - Midfielder/Defender - Ocean Springs, Miss. (Ocean Springs HS/Pearl River CC)
Ezell spent the last two seasons with the Pearl River Community College Wildcats. Starting in 33 of the 35 matches, she scored five goals and dished out eight assists while taking 36 shots, including 22 on goal. In high school, Ezell served as a team captain for the Greyhounds, tallying 16 goals and five assists. The 2022 Ocean Springs Defensive Player of the Year participated in both the MAC and Mississippi Coast HS All-Star games and was named to both all-region and All-South Mississippi teams.
"Chloe is someone that we knew we wanted in our team from the very first conversation," said Coach Kogut. "Not only is she a great player, but she is an even better person and teammate. She can play in so many spots and do it at a high level. Her adaptability and brain are going to help her earn minutes quickly for us."
Christina Guzman - 5-7 - Defender/Forward - Florence, Miss. (Florence HS/Holmes CC)
From Florence, Miss., Guzman spent the last two seasons (46 games) at Holmes Community College. She scored five goals and handed out 19 assists while helping the Bulldogs to 12 shutouts on defense. Guzman was also named as an NJCAA All-Region and All-American and selected as part of the All-MACCC team.
"We knew we wanted to add leadership and winners to our program, and you don't get very many two year captains in the junior college level like Christina," Coach Kogut said. "She provides leadership and stability to our backline while showcasing a great left foot and engine to get into the attack at will. I can't wait to see what Christina does the next two seasons."
Kam Jalayer - 5-5 - Central Midfielder/Forward - Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Temescal Canyon HS/UNLV/Lipscomb)
Jalayer comes to Beaumont after making stops at Lipscomb and UNLV. Throughout her collegiate career, she played 29 contests and took 19 shots, including six on goal. At Temescal Canyon High School, Jalayer was an All-CIF Southern Section Team selection and led the Titans to the CIF state quarterfinals as a sophomore and a Sun Belt title with an undefeated record during her senior season.
"Kam was someone we wanted during her first transfer experience, so we are so fired up to get her this time around," Coach Kogut said. "She's just a fun player to watch do her thing, and I think she fits a lot of how we play. She is creative, smart, and tidy on the ball, a constant threat to change the game when she gets going. Her personality and skillset are so exciting to have here at LU."
Lauren Smith - 5-9 - Forward - Birmingham, England (Tudor Grange Academy/Meridian CC)
A goal-scoring machine at Meridian Community College, Smith posted 37 goals and 17 assists in 33 matches during her two-year career with the Lady Eagles. This included a three-goal, two-assist game against East Central College (Sep. 1st, 2024). Last season, she became the second player at MCC to be named NJCAA First Team All-American and also earned First-Team All-Region 23 and First-Team All-MACCC honors.
"It's not often you get an All-American who was so good that the league had to change their rules like the NJCAA did for Lauren," said Coach Kogut. "She is a threat that we haven't had in a couple years up top. She scores goals and makes plays, and it's so exciting to get her on campus this fall, finally."
Sofia Wilby - 5-5 - Midfielder - Manchester, England
Wilby will arrive in Beaumont after playing for the Liverpool FC Women U21 team. While there, she scored three goals in 20 appearances. Wilby has also been with both the Manchester Futsal and Sala Futsal clubs and captained the latter's U16 team to the FA Pokemon Youth Cup national finals. In addition, she represented her country as a member of the nation's first-ever futsal team.
"Fi is one of the most mature freshmen I've had the privilege to work with," said Coach Kogut. "She's just someone who does the right things on and off the field, and her background shows that work is paying off with national team opportunities. She provides much class in the middle of the park and instantly fortifies the position for the next few seasons."
