TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo soccer team welcomes two student-athletes to their roster this spring, head coach TJ Buchholz announced Thursday. Vanessa Jones and Ellie Pool will be eligible to play immediately.

"We are excited to have both of these strong players joining our soccer program," said Buchholz. "We expect both to make immediate impacts with our team in the spring."

Vanessa Jones is transferring to Toledo after attending Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash. for the past two seasons. As a freshman with the Eagles, Jones appeared in five games. Prior to EWU, Jones attended Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo, Calif., where she was earned four letters in soccer. She was named First Team All-WACC all four years at Arroyo and had a Defensive Player of the Year nod in 2018. Jones led her team to back-to-back NCA Championships in 2015 and 2016 and was a scholar athlete. As a member of California Magic club team, Jones helped lead her team to three straight US West Regional titles as well as a Far West Regional Semifinalist in 2018. In addition, Jones was a California ODP State Team selection from 2014-17 and ODP Region IV selection in 2017.

"Vanessa is a very talented center back who comes from a strong soccer environment in Northern California," said Buchholz. "With the graduation of seniors Rachelle Topolewski and Sheridan Bufe, we were looking for a mid-year college transfer to help us in the middle of our backline. Vanessa absolutely fit that important need for us going forward. She is a very aggressive defender that has excellent ball winning ability.  We believe Vanessa will fit in perfectly with our other top defenders returning this spring." 

Ellie Pool is a four-year letterwinner from Southview High School in Sylvania, Ohio. Under head coach Maj Ali, Pool is a three-time All-Northern Lakes League first-team selection and two-time Division I All-District honoree. She was named 2019 Northern Lake League Co-Player of the Year. Pool was named U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships Best 11, an honor awarded to the top-11 performers in each gender's age group. As a member of Pacesetter Soccer Club for three years, Pool helped lead her team to the Ohio North U17 Girls State Cup Championship title and Midwest Regional U17 Girls runner up in 2018. Pool and the Pacesetters competing at the club soccer national tournament in 2018.

"Ellie is one of the top attackers from the Toledo area and we are excited to have her enroll with us early," said Buchholz. "She had a tremendous prep career for Southview High School and Pacesetter Soccer Club, and it allowed us to identify her early. She has a tremendous work ethic as a forward and can create some incredible goals for her teams. We are looking forward to adding her to our strong forward line this spring."