LOGAN, Utah - Utah State soccer head coach Manny Martins announced a new team member, signing 12-year-old Azra Soyer through Team IMPACT. 
 
Soyer, diagnosed with leukemia, was officially announced at a signing day press conference on Saturday, April 20, at USU's Olympic Sport Complex. She then participated in the team's final spring match, scoring a goal as the Aggies defeated Westminster. She also made a recent trip with the team to attend a Utah Royals match, and will continue to participate in activities, practices and other events with the team. 
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Azra as a member of our soccer team at Utah State," Martins said. "Her courage, strength and positive outlook inspire us all to play and take on life with determination, resilience and optimism."
 
Team Impact, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multi-year program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience.
 
"Azra is such an amazing young girl. Azra was limited in what was normal for her when she was isolated and fighting her battle inside the hospital for over 100 days," said Ramonna Batac, case manager at Team IMPACT. "When Azra joined Utah State soccer through Team IMPACT, she was able to not only reconnect herself with a sport she used to love to play, but she was also able to truly become an integral member of the team. Azra exemplifies resilience, strength and pure joy. It is truly an honor to be a part of her journey."
 
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multi-year program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 3,000 children with 700+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
 
Fans can follow the Aggie soccer program on Twitter, @USUSoccer, on Facebook at /USUSoccer and on Instagram, @USUSoccer. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
 
-USU-