New Northwestern State soccer co-head coaches Jess and Anna Jobe expanded their initial signing class by two players Tuesday.

The Jobes announced the signings of utility player Kiara Padilla and forward/midfielder Norma Trejo.

These two players increase NSU’s signing class to 12 after the Lady Demons inked 10 on Signing Day in February.

Padilla, a Leesville native, won’t have far to go after graduation from the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts on NSU’s campus.

The three-time all-district performer won the District 2-5A’s MVP honor as a sophomore (played soccer for Natchitoches Central) along with an All-Cenla First Team selection (Alexandria Town Talk).

The Lady Chiefs reached the regional round of the playoffs three times.

“Kiara is a great kid who works extremely hard and is very mature,” Jess Jobe said. “She’s a fast learner who will develop quickly.

“We’re probably going to use her in more of a defensive role, but she can play in a variety of positions. She’s gritty — tough as nails — and she’s highly motivated to improver and move her career forward here.”

Trejo, a Baytown, Texas, native, led the Express Soccer Club to a South Texas State Cup championship in her junior season before playing in the national tournament.

The Express had finished as runner-ups in the South Texas State Cup in Trejo’s freshman and sophomore seasons.

After helping Ross S. Sterling High to the state playoffs in two seasons, Trejo participated in the Olympic Development Program on behalf of the Express club.

“Norma is an attacking player with a lot to offer,” Jess Jobe said. “She has technical ability, vision, creative and confidence on the ball.

“She has the ability to beat a player with her technical skill, but she can also beat players with passes and getting balls through.

“Norma is a blue-collar kid who’s going to work hard on both sides of the ball.”

Both Trejo (4.9 GPA) and Padilla (3.6 GPA) graduated with honors at their respective high schools.