Women's Soccer Team Adds Two Players

Accelerating the Game

SAGU signs Sanchez and Ramirez

PULLING THEIR WEIGHT: Breanna Sanchez (left) and Daniella Ramirez (7) surround Coach Mandy Fortner in the Waco High School weightroom.WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  Looking to add speed to the offensive attack, Southwestern Assemblies of God University signed a pair of new recruits for the women’s soccer team.

Mandy Fortner, SAGU’s Head Coach, announced the acquisition of high school teammates, Breanna Sanchez and Daniela Ramirez. The quick duo played at Waco High for the Lady Lions’ Head Coach, Rebecca Armstrong. Both are known for their velocity and assertive nature.

The fleet-footed couple should be to SAGU’s more deliberate pace what high-speed is to the internet.

Sanchez, at 5‘2, and Ramirez, a zephyr at 5’0, will help expedite Southwestern’s offensive strategies.

“Both of these women play the possession game very well,” Coach Fortner pointed out. “We will count on Daniella to play center-mid (fielder) next to Jess (Jessica Powell). She works extremely hard and is very fit. She has great vision and leadership.”

As for Sanchez, she may wind up on the flanks as an outside midfielder. Blessed with extreme speed, according to Fortner, she comes equipped with an aggressive style. “Breanna is also a quick, eager learner,” the first-year head coach added. “She reminds me a lot of Lyndi (Garrison), both in her appearance and the way she plays.” A sophomore, Garrison led the team in goals last fall.

“Both of these players are quite coachable and will be great additions to the team,” said Fortner.

The head coach at Waco High (Armstrong) was a teammate of Fortner’s at Dallas Baptist University, which led to their being recruited by SAGU.

Following two seasons as an assistant coach, Coach Fortner has seen enough of what the Lady Lions are up against. She’s instilling a strong directive towards player fitness. “We need more than endurance though,” she says. “We must contend by meeting the challenge for acceleration, for toughness and improving ball control. And we’re getting there!”

Southwestern players will report to camp in August. They have a scrimmage slated for Aug. 16 in Snyder, Tx against Western Texas College. The team has an 18-game schedule, with nine at home.

Contact:  Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.