News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M soccer team bolstered its lineup with the addition of three transfers over the weekend, head coach G Guerrieri announced Monday.
The three, all natives of the DFW area, includes 2024 Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Erica Defferding (Incarnate Word), All-American Athletic Conference forward Leah Diaz (Tulsa) and two-year starting SEC defender Hattie Patterson (Ole Miss). The Aggies head into spring workouts with seven transfer newcomers.
Defferding, who arrives in Aggieland with two years of eligibility remaining, was a two-year standout at Incarnate Word.
“Erica is a talented keeper with a lot of experience gained from being the starter at UIW the past two years,” Guerrieri said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to add her to our super talented goalkeeper corps. I know she will thrive in our environment.”
As a sophomore in 2024, Defferding was tabbed the SLC Goalkeeper of the Year as well as earning All-Southland First Team. She enjoyed a record-breaking campaign for the Cardinals, recording seven shutouts and 92 saves which were both UIW high-water marks as a Division I program. She started 18 of the Cardinals’ 19 matches, posting a 0.94 goals-against average and .844 save percentage in 1,620 minutes. She started all 10 conference matches, recording a 0.60 goals against average, five shutouts and a .885 save percentage.
Defferding appeared in 13 matches, all starts, as a freshman. She logged a 0.92 goals against average, three shutouts and 68 saves.
The Frisco, Texas, native was a star at Liberty High School. She earned All-District 10-5A First Team as a senior. She also earned District 9-5A Newcomer of the Year Defferding was a club standout with D’Feeters Kicks Soccer Club.
Diaz, who joins the 2025 squad as a junior, enjoyed two stellar seasons with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. She appeared in 38 of Tulsa’s 39 matches over the span, including 29 starts. She tallied 31 points on 12 goals and seven assists.
“Leah is a true goal scorer like a fox in the box who sees how to unlock defenses,” Guerrieri said. “Growing up as a coach’s daughter and playing with super competitive clubs in Dallas prior to working with a very good college coaching staff in Tulsa has been wonderful for her development. She’s always quick to identify and finish scoring chances – a dangerous characteristic we have been desperate to have in our Aggie lineup.”
Emerging as a relentless attacker in 2024, Diaz earned All-American Athletic Conference Second Team as a forward. Diaz ranked second in The American with 22 points, accounting for eight goals (5th) and six assists (4th). As a freshman, she earned American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week on one occasion.
Diaz, a native of Richardson, Texas, boasted a noteworthy club career at D’Feeters Kicks where she was an ECNL All-Texas performer. She lettered three years at JJ Pearce High School.
As a prep freshman, she earned Dallas Morning News Newcomer of the Year and District 8-6A Player of the Year after registering 30 goals and 16 assists on a Pearce squad that went 18-2-3. She earned District 7-6A MVP recognition as a junior.
Patterson, who arrives in Aggieland with two seasons of eligibility, played all 36 matches with Ole Miss with 29 starts. The Rebels recorded 11 clean sheets during her tenure.
“Adding Hattie to our roster is a big plus,” Guerrieri said. “She adds athleticism and experience as a starter in the SEC the last two years. She has a fantastic left-footed service as she moves forward with the ball. Because she is a former teammate of several of our current players from their days growing up in the super competitive DFW youth soccer scene, I know she’s going to fit in and enhance our team’s culture.”
As a sophomore in 2024, Patterson appeared in all 19 matches, including 18 starts. She helped the Rebels record four shutouts on the season. She played the full 90 minutes in 11 of the first 13 matches with Ole Miss posting a 1.23 goals-against average over the span.
In 2023, Patterson played in all 17 matches, including 11 starts. She helped the backline produce seven shutouts and a 1.18 goals-against average.
A prep standout at Dallas Highland Park High School, Patters claimed All-Region 1-6A Second Team as a senior in 2023 and All-Region 2-5A First Team in 2022. She was a three-time all-district choice, including earning district MVP in 2022.
Patterson experienced a successful career with Solar Soccer Club where she helped her team win the 2022 ECNL Texas Conference title. She was a two-time ECNL All-Texas Conference honoree. As a senior she earned