Nicolarsen announces Serrano as latest signee
Defender Barbara Serrano (Caracas, Venezuela) signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at Bellevue beginning in the fall of 2018.
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Bellevue University women's soccer coach Andy Nicolarsen announced today the addition of Barbara Serrano (Caracas, Venezuela) signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at Bellevue beginning in the fall of 2018.
Serrano, the daughter of Elvira Mendez, is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and comes to BU as a transfer student from Monroe (N.Y.) College where she helped lead the Mustangs to a number 11 ranking in the final NJCAA Division I Poll.
Prior to attending Monroe College, Serrano attended U.E.N. Jose Manuel Nunez Ponte, played for U.C.V.F.C., and was a member of the Venezuelan National Team.
Serrano represented her country in the 2014 U-17 World Cup. At the World Cup, Venezuela topped Group A winning all three matches without conceding a goal; Venezuela defeated Costa Rica (3-0), Zambia (4-0), and Italy (1-0) in the Group Stage. After a 3-2 win over Canada in the quarterfinals, Venezuela fell to Japan 4-1 in the semifinals, and played to a 4-4 draw with Italy before falling on penalties 2-0.
Coach Nicolarsen on Serrano:
"Barbara is a very gifted player but more importantly she has experience at the highest levels. That experience will pay dividends for us in the game and practice environment. Her primary position is center back but she can effectively play any needed defensive role for us. I look forward to having her in the team this fall."
Serrano joins earlier signees in the 2018 class: Faith Smith (Madison Heights, Va./Liberty University), Sofia Colvin (Edmonds, Wash./Iowa Western CC), Saskia Pepel (Mossingen, Germany/Quenstendt-Gymnasium Mossingen), Maria Flores Tome (Malaga, Spain/Baker), Jacy Dundee (Omaha, Neb./Central HS), Alexis Tolliver (Springfield, Neb./Platteview HS), Nancy Neri (Omaha, Neb./Omaha South HS), Emily Weyant (Omaha, Neb./Hastings College), and Austin Perez (Hollister, Calif./Cabrillo College).
The Bruins finished the 2017 campaign with an 11-5-0 overall record and a 3-1-0 NSAA mark as they advanced to the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Tournament semifinals.