Arizona soccer’s top recruit heads elsewhere

Taeya Schueppert, arguably the top recruit in Arizona’s 2019 signing class, is not joining the Wildcats and will play at the Division II level with the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs instead.

The Highlands Ranch, Colorado native signed with the Wildcats in November and committed to the UA all the way back in May 2017, but ultimately opted to stay closer to home. Schueppert signed with UCCS only a couple of weeks ago, which suggests it was a last-minute move. She was not with the Wildcats when they reported for training on July 9.

Among other accolades, Schueppert helped lead her club team, Real Colorado, to a US Soccer Development Academy national championship in 2018, and led Mountain Vista High School to a state championship in 2017.

The midfielder was expected to be a day-one contributor for the Wildcats—someone who could help Arizona replace the production it lost when leading assister Amanda Porter transferred to Texas Tech.

Arizona coach Tony Amato had high praise for Schueppert after signing day.

“She might be the highest-ranked (recruit in our class) because she was called into (US) national team camp recently and her team won the (Development Academy) national championship and she led the charge and scored goals and was basically their MVP of that run,” he said in December.

“But she is a left-footed player who is very good when she gets the ball to her feet and being dangerous in attack using her left foot. And she’s someone that we would think would come in and have an attacking role that could contribute goals and assists from a midfield position.”

Amato broke down the rest of UA’s 2019 signing class here.

The Wildcats open the 2019 season on Aug. 22 against Long Beach State, searching for their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in six years.