Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 7, 2025 – Arkansas State soccer head coach Brian Dooley announced the additions of Leigha Dobbins and Ellen Hampton to the 2025 roster on Monday.
The duo join Maggie Smith, Lucy Ledbetter, Larkyn Griffin, Ava Riehl, Kayla Windsor, and Ryleigh Van Beek as members of the 2025 recruiting class.
Dobbins joins the Red Wolves after two seasons as a defender at Arizona Western, helping lead her team to a national semifinal appearance in 2023 and a national championship appearance in 2024. She netted nine career goals for the Lady Matadors and was named a captain of the team last season.
She also played for Celtic and Dundee United, scoring her first career goal with the latter. The Motherwell, Scotland, native was part of the U15 Scottish Cup team and was selected for the U17 and U19 Scotland National Teams.
“She’s a player with two years of experience playing for national titles at Arizona Western,” Dooley said. “She also has represented Scotland at the youth national level. Leigha is a tough, competitive player ready to immediately help the team.”
Hampton arrives in Jonesboro following a two-season stint with Linfield FC of the Northern Ireland Football League. She earned an international recognition award in both seasons and was named the Young Player of the Year in 2024.
The Banbridge, Northern Ireland, native is currently playing for the U19 squad of her native country.
“Ellen is a great addition to our class,” Dooley said. “She’s competed internationally with the Northern Ireland team and is a strong physical player. She also has the ability to build and create scoring opportunities.”