There should be no lack of familiarity for the first three members of the new Wesmen Soccer recruiting class. 

UWinnipeg head coach Amy Anderson announced her first three commitments for the Class of 2024, welcoming Bonivital Soccer Club teammates Chiara Distasio (centre back/fullback), Layla Little (striker/wing) and Rae Moist (centre back/fullback) to the program on the weekend.

The three were introduced at halftime of the Wesmen match against UNBC on Saturday.

While Moist, whose father Jason joined the team as an assistant coach this past off-season, has spent her entire development at Bonivital, Distasio and Little came to the club this year. The three of them immediately formed a bond that they will now take with them to the next level of their soccer careers.

Moist and Little also played together in the Valour FC Elite Girls system from 2020 to 2022.

"I find it pretty amazing. It's kind of like a dream in a way," Moist said of joining UWinnipeg with her teammates. "I played with them, I know how they are and I just feel happy that I have people I know coming into this and it makes it a more comfortable experience."

Distasio was an attendee of a past Wesmen ID camp and she found out then that the fit was right for her.

"I knew I didn't want to leave (Winnipeg) after school. I knew I wanted to stay and I went to one of the ID camps and it just felt like a good vibe, a good atmosphere," she said.

"I went to nationals last year and the competition was a lot higher, and that's when I noticed I wanted to expand and play higher level soccer. I'm really excited to see where it goes and just to get a chance to travel and continue to play soccer in university."

Little said her pursuit of a university opportunity began in her first year of high school when she began putting her name out to potential coaches. She attended past Wesmen ID camps and quickly began to form her positive opinion on what would eventually be her new home. 

"The environment with the U of W was just really welcoming and the caliber of soccer there was impressive, so that's when I realized that was going to be the school for me," she said.

"I'm really excited (to be recruited with teammates). I think it's going to be a good dynamic to bring to the team considering that we're pretty close. Me and Rae are really excited to bring some positive energy to the team because of how close were are." 

Moist said she entertained some other options, but in the end the Wesmen felt like the right fit.

"I had been in contact with a couple of other universities and then narrowed it down to U of W. I met with Amy and I just felt more at home and comfortable."

Coach Anderson on Moist:
"Rae is a hard-working, highly-skilled player with a high soccer IQ. She can play anywhere on the back line and her work-rate will help her progress quickly at the U Sports level."

Coach Anderson on Little:
"Layla is presently the leading goal scorer for her club team, Boni. Layla is a natural goal scorer with a willingness to advance at a higher level, and we are excited to see her develop in our program."

Coach Anderson on Distasio:
"Chiara's natural athletic ability, technical presence and ball-winning ability will help her compete at the U Sports level early."