SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Preparing for the future, the Santa Clara women's soccer program welcomes Kathleen Pingel from the 2016 recruiting class to the Bronco roster. Pingel is currently in class at Santa Clara.

"I chose Santa Clara University because I believe that these coaches and this program gives me the best chance to achieve my personal soccer goals," said Pingel. "I like the closeness of the team and coaches. It is like a second family."

"I'm excited for Katie to get to play here," said Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith. "She is on campus taking classes and training with our team. She will vie for a starting position in our forward line. She has a lot of experience, including with the national team. She's a very skilled and dynamic attacking player."

A native of Southern California, Pingel is graduating early from Peninsula High School in Palos Verdes, Calif. to join the Broncos in the spring. Rewarded for her success on the pitch, she was named All-America in 2014, First Team All League three years in a row and was a two-time team MVP. During three seasons of high school play, she racked up 53 goals and 28 assists, including a school record 25 goals and 10 assists during her junior season alone.

On the club side, Pingel has participated in U.S. Soccer National Team camps at the U-14, U-15, U-17, U-19 and U-20 levels. During that same time span, she also saw time with the Cal South Olympic Development Program, winning two national championships.

Pingel comes from a family of well-rounded athletes. Her father, Thomas, played college football at Whittier College, her grandfather, Tony Macias, played professional baseball, her uncle, Aaron Pingel, plays college football at the University of San Diego, and her brother Drake Pingel plays college baseball.