University of Houston Athletics
Soccer Signs Seven on National Signing Day
11/13/2025 12:06:00 PM | Soccer
Houston adds three defenders, a pair of forwards and a pair of midfielders in signing class
HOUSTON – University of Houston Soccer Head Coach Ben Williams announced the addition of seven student-athletes on National Signing Day.
We're thrilled to welcome seven outstanding freshmen to the University of Houston Soccer program, said Williams. With the direction our program is heading, we have no doubt that each of these student-athletes will contribute in meaningful ways.
While talent and ability are key factors in our recruiting process, the character, mentality, and personality of our players are equally important, and this class truly exemplifies those qualities. We're extremely excited to have them join our program and can't wait to see what the future holds for Houston Soccer!
The Cougars welcome Elena Reyna, Adeline Cooper and Alexandria Ledbetter in January while Elle Sloan, Tristen Yi, Lewhat Tesfazghi and Riley Hewitt will arrive over the summer.
ELENA REYNA | MIDFIELDER | LAKE DALLAS, TEXAS
Previous Athletic Experience: A member of Solar Soccer Club winning the U14 ECNL National Championship.
Personal: Daughter of Erica and David … Has five siblings … Loves to read, color and run … Aspires to be a teacher.
ADELINE COOPER | DEFENDER | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Previous Athletic Experience: A four-year varsity MVP and three-time varsity team captain at Earl Warren High School … San Antonio City Captain … scored 62 goals and 29 assists in high school while earning the 2025 District 28-6A MVP, 2024 District 29 6A Midfielder of the year and 2025 Honorable Mention All-Region honors.
Personal: Daughter of Jaclyn Johnson … Has three siblings, Benjamin, Charlotte and Quinn … Lists her mom as her biggest influence … Enjoys reading and painting … Would like to attend medical school.
TRISTEN YI | DEFENDER | EDMOND, OKLA.
Previous Athletic Experience: Named the 2023 6A Newcomer of the Year while earning All-District honors … Tabbed the 2024 Team MVP at Deer Creek High School, earning a second All-District distinction en rout to Oklahoma All-City Runner Up … Garnered 2025 ECNL All-Conference Team honors with Oklahoma Energy … Played soccer and ran track at Deer Creek High School while also being a part of Student Council and serving as a football manager.
Personal: Daughter of Tori and Johnny Yi … has one sister, Olivia, who she lists as her biggest influence … Has career ambitions to work in finance.
RILEY HEWITT | DEFENDER | KELLER, TEXAS
Previous Athletic Experience: Tabbed the 2023 Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year at Keller High School … Earned Second Team All-District mentions before being elevated to First Team All-District honors in 2025 … Twice named the Utility Player of the Year and earned Second Team All-ECNL in 2025.
Personal: Daughter of Megan and Greg Hewitt … Has two brothers, Joseph and Hudson … Mom played soccer at Texas Tech and Dad played hockey in the minors … Enjoys playing pickleball and golf outside of soccer … Aspires to work in pharmaceutical sales.
LEWHAT TESFAZGHI | MIDFIELDER | SNELLVILLE, GA.
Previous Athletic Experience: Four-year member of the Shiloh High School Varsity Soccer Team earning First Team All-Region three times scoring 35 goals and dishing 23 assists.
Personal: Enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends … Lists parents as her biggest influence … Plans to major in Information Technology Engineering and minor in Kinesiology with hopes to be an IT engineer or physical therapist.
ALEXANDRIA LEDBETTER | FORWARD | HOUSTON, TEXAS
Previous Athletic Experience: Tabbed the 2025 Co-Offensive Player of the Year at Jordan High School while earning First Team All-District in 2024 and 2025 … Named the 2023 Varsity Assist Player of the Year … Earned 2023 I-10 Shootout Soccer Player of the Tournament … Garnered 2023 Second Team Texas All-Conference.
Personal: Daughter of Vanessa and James … Brother James runs track at Nebraska … Enjoys playing pickleball and hanging out with friends … Hopes to work as a marketing manager or brand strategist.
ELLE SLOAN | FORWARD | DANVILLE, CALIF.
Previous Athletic Experience: Four-year varsity soccer letterwinner at Carondelet High School … Won the 2023 and 2024 North America Cup, and 2022 Champions League with Mustang SC ECNL … Captured the 2025 Champions League crown with Bay Area Surf ECNL … 2022-23 North Coast Section Division 1 Champions, EBAL Champions and California Interscholastic Federation Division 1 Finalist … 2023-24 NCS D1 Finalist, EBAL 2nd Place … CIF D1 Qualifier … 2024-25 NCS D1 Qualifier, EBAL Champions.
Personal: Daughter of Barbara and Bradley … Has one sister, Emma … Mom played tennis at St. Mary's (CA) … Lists her parents as her biggest influence … Plans to pursue a professional soccer career followed by a career in sports communications or marketing.
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