SANTA CLARITA, CA - The defending West Conference champion and 2017 National Finalist Santa Clarita Blue Heat are pleased to announce the signing of four more players from the No. 5 nationally-ranked UCLA Bruins for the 2018 United Women's Soccer (UWS) season. All four players - midfielder Chloe Castaneda, forward Julia Hernandez, defender Jacey Pederson and midfielder Viviana Villacorta - are veterans of the Blue Heat side. They will join newcomer and UCLA goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy (a previous signee) on the team this summer as they look to capture their third straight UWS West title.

Castaneda (Encino, CA) is returning for her third season with the Blue Heat. A staple in the Bruins and Blue Heat midfield, Castaneda helped lead Santa Clarita to the 2016 UWS title as the UWS West Player of the Year and All-UWS First Team selection. In 2017, Chloe played in nine games for the Blue Heat and was named to the All-UWS Second Team. She appeared in 12 games for the Bruins this past fall who would go on to the NCAA Championship match.

Hernandez (Madrid, Spain) scored six goals for UCLA last fall and was a super sub for Head Coach Amanda Cromwell, as she scored in the penalty-kick shootout in the NCAA National Semifinal and assisted on the second goal in the 3-2 loss to Stanford in the Final. Julia played in five games last summer for Santa Clarita but is best known for her acrobatic game-winning bicycle-kick goal in double overtime in the 2016 UWS Championship against New Jersey Copa FC. She was named the UWS Championship MVP for her effort.

Pederson (Palo Alto, CA) is returning for her second stint with the Blue Heat. Coming off a great 2016 UWS season (five games played) as she helped the Blue Heat to the UWS Championship game, Jacey continued her success with UCLA. Pederson assisted on the game-winning goal against San Diego State in the NCAA First Round and helped the Bruins to the national title game while playing in 12 games all season. She most recently represented the U.S. U-19 Women's National Team in New Zealand in June 2016.

Villacorta (Torrance, CA) played in all of 25 games for the Bruins while starting 15 games which included all six in the NCAA Tournament. In 2017, Viviana played a vital role in Blue Heat's midfield as they captured back-to-back Western Conference title and started in the 2017 UWS National Semifinal & Final. Villacorta is a current member of the U.S. U-20 Women's National Team that placed second in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship, qualifying them to go the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup being held in France.

Santa Clarita kicks off their 2018 season on the road in Utah as they face the Real Salt Lake Women - affiliate team of the new Utah Royals FC franchise in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - on May 18. The Blue Heat return home for their home opener versus UWS newcomer LA Galaxy OC on May 26 at the Master's College. For the latest news, signings and updates, go to the team's official website at SCBlueHeat.com or “Like” the Santa Clarita Blue Heat on Facebook and Twitter.

About United Women's Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.