June 2, 2014
San Jose, Calif. - Darlene Rodriguez, a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Junior College first-team All-America honoree in 2013, has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for San José State University's women's soccer team beginning in the fall of 2014. Head Coach Lauren Hanson made the announcement.
"We are very excited to have Darlene as a part of our program," Hanson said. "She's a fantastic soccer player; very good on the ball, very skilled, with great knowledge of the game and with great experience at the junior college level."
Playing at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose Calif., for the past two years, Rodriguez found the back of the net 16 times, including a team-leading 13 in 2013, and assisted on 15 others. This past year she led the team to its second consecutive Coast Conference: South Division title while earning conference Player of the Year honors. In addition, the team participated in the NorCal Playoffs in both her years at Evergreen Valley College. As a freshman Rodriguez was named a first-team All-Coast Conference honoree.
A performer in the classroom as well as the on the field, in 2013 Rodriguez was named to the California Community College Soccer Coaches Association's inaugural Women's Scholar-Athlete Team.
A graduate of Silver Creek High School in San Jose, Calif., Rodriguez earned Blossom Valley Athletic League West Valley Division Sophomore of the Year honors in 2010 and was a second-team All-Mercury News performer in 2011.
"Darlene will fit in perfectly with our recruiting class," Hanson said. "She'll be able to fill a need that we have in an attacking roll. She can play striker, outside wing, outside back and possibly attacking back."
Rodriguez joins Nikola Baila (Napa, Calif.), Doerthe Hoppius (Dorsten, Germany), Waraporn Wangmaunklang (San Diego, Calif.), Myia Wilkes (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), Isela Rivera, (Manteck, Calif.), Katarina Karabestos (Bufallo Grove, Ill.) and Alexis Weigant (Clovis, Calif.) who previously signed to play for the Spartans beginning in 2014.