BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team and head coach Abiye Jack announced the first three signings of it's 2024 recruiting class.
 
Montana natives Sydney Graf and Abby Thompson, along with Kayden Harwood from Arizona become the first new signees for the Yellowjackets, set to join the team in the 2024 season.
 
Sydney Graf
Forward
Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls High School
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Graf joins the Yellowjackets from Great Falls, Montana after lettering in four years of varsity soccer. The forward has helped lead the line for Great Falls High School, both scoring and creating a number of goals this past season to help her team qualify for the AA State Playoffs.
 
Coach Jack on Graf: "Sydney is a very energetic and versatile attacker. She plays with high intensity and has the ability to score goals."
 
Graf on choosing MSUB: "I choose MSUB because of the high-level performance it has to offer as a school and team. I went to an ID camp over the summer, and I saw the passion and excitement that Coach Abiye has for this program as well as how positive the environment with the team is. MSUB is very close to my hometown with also having family in Billings who are very supportive and exited for my decision as well as my parents, coaches from all over and teammates. I am extremely excited for what's yet to come at MSUB.
 
 
Kayden Harwood
Defender
Chandler, Arizona
Casteel High School
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Harwood participated in four years of soccer, lettering in three under head coach Jason Hammonds, accumulating a 27-6-1 record as a member of the varsity team. Harwood was an All-Region Second Team selection, earning the teams Commitment Award, along with academic excellence honors.
 
Coach Jack on Harwood: "Kayden has great size and technical ability on the ball. She is an intelligent defender who makes good decisions both in the defending and the attacking phases."
 
Harwood on choosing MSUB: "I choose MSUB because it provided me with an environment where I felt I could succeed as an athlete and student. One thing that really stuck out to me was the team's amazing team culture. When I traveled up to Montana before making my final decision I was welcomed and greeted by the coaches and players. I felt I could make good connections with the team and impact the program under Coach Abiye. Asides from playing soccer, MSUB has a beautiful campus and the majors I was interested in."
 
Abby Thompson
Defender
Billings, Montana
Billings Senior High School
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Thompson stays in Billings to compete in collegiate soccer after lettering in four years of soccer at Billings Senior. Primarily playing center back under coach Steph Wagner, Thompson was a team captain for two seasons, earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors as a freshman before receiving All-Conference the following two seasons. Thompson was selected twice as the team's defensive MVP, and earned Academic All-State in every season she competed in. In addition to soccer, Thompson has also lettered in three years of basketball, where she plays on the wing, and track, where she competes in the 100m and 4X100m.
 
Coach Jack on Thompson: "Abby is a well-rounded player. She is technically strong with both feet, reads the game well, and has a combination of strength and pace that is extremely rare."
 
Thompson on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB for a lot of reasons. I wanted to stay close to home because I am a big family person, and wanted them to be able to come to my games. I also wanted to be on a team where they push one another to make the team better. I loved all of the girl's dynamics and how they are one big family. I also wanted to go to MSUB for the educational side of it. They carry the major I want to go into and that was very important to me."