SAN JOSE, Calif. - Arizona Western women's soccer player Kei Yoneda was one of 11 players invited to train with Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League and be available for selection ahead of last Friday's international friendly vs. Ottawa Rapid FC. All 11 players have trained with Bay FC during the April international window as part of the club's ongoing talent identification and youth development efforts. 

"She had the opportunity to go earlier in the year during the preseason and for us it just shows the special opportunity some of our players are getting because of our program," Arizona Western women's soccer head coach Victor Verdugo said. "It shows that players who finish their college careers here can go on and aspire to reach the professional ranks. Bay FC is part of the NWSL which is top tier women's professional soccer. It's a great opportunity for her and a great opportunity for us."

Yoneda previously trained with Bay FC as part of the club's ongoing efforts to identify and guide top young talent early in the developmental process. Yoneda just finished her sophomore season with Arizona Western College and was a key part of Arizona Western reaching the NJCAA DI National Championship game for the second year in a row, while also not allowing a single goal in regulation or overtime throughout the entire national tournament. Yoneda made the game winning goal in a 1-0 with over Seminole State to help the Lady Matadors reach the final. 

Kei also competed in Women's Premier Soccer League action with Chattanooga FC in 2025, helping the club to a playoff berth and run to the semifinals.    

"She spent around two weeks with Bay FC in the preseason, and she did some things to make them feel enough of her to bring her back," Verdugo said. "For us, again, a great opportunity for her to get the experience and she still has two more years to play in college as she's moving onto the DI level at Utah State. Now she has a team tracking her and I'm just so very proud of her."

The Arizona Western women's soccer program will hold the official signing day for players moving onto the next level, this Thursday, April 23rd, at 3:00 p.m. in room 106 in the MAC Building on the Arizona Western College campus. All media, administrators, faculty, students and fans are invited to attend.