BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team announced the addition of two new signings, both of whom will join head coach Stephen Cavallo's program for the 2022 spring season and beyond.
 
Rylee Braden of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Monica Brown of Enumclaw, Washington have each arrived on campus and began working with the team. Braden joins the 'Jackets from Holmes Community College, while Brown transfers in from Southern Utah University.
 
"Being able to add Monica and Rylee at semester break is a huge boost for our team." Said Cavallo. "Both are exceptional players and people, and we believe they will integrate right away with our returning group. Both have various backgrounds in the game which we believe will only fully prepare them to make an immediate impact in our team. We are super excited to add them this spring season and look forward to helping them finish out their stellar college soccer careers."
 
Rylee Braden
Defender
Olive Branch, Mississippi
Holmes Community College
Intended Major: Psychology
 
Braden joins the Yellowjackets after playing for one season at Holmes Community College. The defender played in 23 games, starting 22. She played a role in 14 clean sheets. Braden helped lead her Holmes team to the NJCAA national championship this past season, after collecting the regional championship. She was selected first team all-MACCC and first team all-region. At the high school level, she played three years of varsity soccer at center back, where she was selected as her team's player of the year in the 2019-2020 season and was a team captain.
 
Coach Cavallo on Braden: "Rylee is a hard-nosed defender who can play in a magnitude of different positions across our back line. She is feisty, scrappy, and very good 1v1 defender. She is coming off an exceptional junior college career at Holmes where she won a lot of games. We are looking forward to her bringing some of that winning mentality to our returning group."
 
Braden on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the atmosphere Coach Cavallo has created that combines positive attitudes, personable conversations that create a family, and the desire to win. As soon as I stepped on campus, a wave of commitment passed through me, and I knew this is where I should be. It also helps that Montana is an absolutely beautiful state, and there is so much adventure to partake in!"
 
Monica Brown
Outside Back/Winger
Enumclaw, Washington
Southern Utah University
Intended Major: Health and Human Performance
 
Brown joins the Yellowjackets after playing for two seasons with Southern Utah University in the Big Sky Conference. She played in 17 total games, collecting two assists in her 2021 spring season. Brown played her high school soccer at Enumclaw High School, where she lettered for three years.
 
Coach Cavallo on Brown: "Monica is a fantastic wide player who can play as an outside back or winger. She comes in with an incredible background in club as well as experience the Division I level. We believe her athleticism and technical skills will aid in all facets of our game. She brings a wealth of experience to our group, and we are excited to see her against the GNAC in the fall."
 
Brown on choosing MSUB: "Second chances don't come often, but I have received a second chance to play the sport I love, and I won't take that for granted."