PULLMAN, Wash. – Six incoming student-athletes signed financial aid agreements to compete for Washington State Soccer beginning in the 2027 season, WSU Head Coach Chris Citowicki announced Wednesday as part of National Signing Day.
"Signing Day is always an incredible milestone for our program,” Citowicki said. “We couldn’t be more excited to officially welcome this group to Wazzu and the Cougar family. Beyond their exceptional talent and athletic ability, each of these student-athletes embodies the character, mindset, and relentless work ethic that define who we are. This incoming class represents a massive step forward for our future, and we can’t wait to get them on campus to start building toward our goals together.”
Allana Baxter | Goalkeeper | Freshman | Baltimore, Maryland
Allana “Pancake” Baxter is an incoming freshman goalkeeper from Baltimore, Maryland. Baxter has been selected for the Mid-Atlantic GA ID program in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Additional recognition includes Top 2027 Goalkeeper awards at the 2025 NY/NJ Gotham FC Winter and Summer ID events, invitations to Gotham FC Winter ID events in 2025 and 2026, and participation in Gotham FC2 training camps and a development center. Baxter attended Sparrows Point High School for all four years and is expected to graduate in 2027. Baxter’s father, Stephen, also played soccer as a goalkeeper at Catonsville Community College and Harford Community College. Baxter’s family includes mother Colleen, father Stephen and younger brother Landon.
“You’re going to love this - Allana goes by Pancake!,” Coach Citowicki said of Baxter. “She’s a smart, technical, experienced, and very intense goalkeeper that’s joining us all the way from the east coast. We can’t wait to have her be a part of the goalkeeper pool.”
Ella Cohen | Forward | Freshman | Portland, Oregon
A forward and midfielder from Portland, Oregon, Ella Cohen has played for Thorns Academy ECNL and Oregon Surf ECNL. Cohen earned first-team All-Conference honors in the ECNL Northwest Region in spring 2026 and second-team recognition in spring 2024. Cohen was selected for the Surf Select Regional Camp and National Selection in winter 2025, served as a club team captain from U13 through U16, and won State Cup championships with Portland City United in 2021 and 2022. At Cleveland High School, Cohen was a varsity starter and leading goal scorer as a freshman and sophomore, earning first-team PIL All-Conference honors in both 2024 and 2025. In 2024, Cohen was also named PIL Co-Player of the Year and earned first-team Oregon All-State recognition. The team qualified for the Oregon playoffs that year. As a freshman in 2023, Cohen earned second-team PIL All-Conference honors and was co-MVP of the championship game as the team reached the Oregon playoff final. Cohen was a varsity captain and leading goal scorer in 2025 and 2026. Cohen has also participated in basketball, track, pickleball and swimming, earning one varsity letter and serving as a captain for two years.
“We welcome Ella,” Coach Citowicki said of Cohen. “I remember coming across Ella at an ID camp many years ago and being very impressed with her tactical IQ and technical ability. She’s your classic street soccer player who can make something happen out of nothing.”
Upneet Mann | Defender | Freshman | Surrey B.C.
An incoming freshman fullback from Surrey, British Columbia, Upneet Mann is a 5-foot-7 athlete and sprinter in track. In high school soccer, Upneet was named most valuable player as a freshman on the senior team and played semi-professionally under coaches Sam Gevaux and Esteban Mora. Upneet attended Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in grades 8 and 9 before completing grades 10 through 12 at Burnaby Central Secondary School. Academic Excellence Awards included Grade 8 English, textiles and humanities; Grade 9 math; and Grade 10 leadership and math. Upneet intends to study kinesiology, with the goal of playing professional soccer and eventually becoming a sports physiotherapist. Upneet’s parents are Mandeep Mann and Kulwinder Mann. Upneet has a sister, Nimrat, and a brother, Prateek.
“Upneet comes to us from the Vancouver Rise Academy,” Coach Citowicki said of Mann. “She's a high flying outside back or winger who loves to take players on, join the attack, and get crosses in the box. Her ability to break pressure on the dribble is fantastic and one of the things I most love about her.”
Elizabeth Proulx | Defender | Freshman | Montreal, Quebec
Elizabeth is an incoming freshman center back and native of Montreal. Elizabeth graduated from Collège Français in 2026, where they played soccer under head coach Julie Casselman and played all positions. Elizabeth intends to study athletic training and hopes to pursue a career as a professional soccer player. Elizabeth’s parents are Valerie Quenneville and Dominic Proulx. Elizabeth has two sisters, Mégane Poulin and Katrina Poulin.
“Eli is a phenom of a center back who just got back from the U-17 World Cup with Canada where she scored against Brazil,” Coach Citowicki said of Proulx. “She has great vision, technique with the ball, and defensive ability. You’ll love watching her play.”
Ana Rafou | Midfielder | Freshman | Surrey, B.C.
Freshman midfielder Ana Rafou is from Surrey, British Columbia. Rafou plans to study kinesiology and hopes to pursue a career as a physical therapist. Rafou played soccer with Coastal FC, winning the SX Cup in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and the BCSPL provincial championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The team also earned a bronze medal at the 2024 PDP Edmonton National Championship. In 2026, Rafou was part of Vancouver Rise Academy’s BCPL League-winning team. Rafou has also participated in track, swimming, karate and skating. A graduate of Burnaby Central Secondary, Rafou earned a 4.0 GPA, received the Student Excellence Award in grades 10, 11 and 12, and participated in the Student Outreach Club. Rafou’s parents are Dina Choi and Basam Rafou, and Rafou has two sisters, Laila and Amelia.
“Ana also comes to us from Vancouver Rise Academy in Canada, along with Upneet,” Coach Citowicki said of Rafou. “She has even seen a few minutes with the pro team. Ana plays in the holding midfield role and does an incredible job getting on the ball and keeping possession in key building moments.”
Talia Thompson | Forward | Freshman | West Point, Utah
Talia Thompson is an incoming freshman forward, and a native of West Point, Utah. Thompson attends Syracuse High School, where she earned four varsity letters in soccer and was a team captain. Thompson helped Syracuse win the 2025 6A state soccer championship and earned honorable mention recognition at the 2025 6A and Region 1 levels. Thompson also earned three varsity letters in track and was part of two state-champion 4x400-meter relay teams at Syracuse. Thompson competed in basketball as a guard and volleyball as a middle. Academically, Thompson earned a place on the High Honor Roll with a 3.85 GPA and qualified to receive the Medical Services Medallion. Thompson intends to study kinesiology and hopes to become a physical therapist assistant. Thompson’s mother is Trudi Dodge and father is Renn Thompson with a brother, Drake, and a sister, Caprice.
“Talia is a tall, aggressive, fun loving type of forward who had a lot of success with Utah Avalanche,” Coach Citowicki said of Thompson. “She is the type of player who will run you over with a massive smile on her face. Cannot wait for you to watch her play.”