Jenna Dean doesn’t know what role she’ll play on the Sonoma State women’s soccer team as a true freshman this fall. 

But the former Ceres Earthquakes FC Aftershocks club player is determined to make a difference whenever she’s on the field.

“I’ll bring intensity,” the 2023 Turlock High grad said. “I’ll make the best of whatever type of minutes I get. I’ll give everything I have for my teammates and coaches.” 

Dean, 17, moved into her dorm room at Sonoma State on Aug. 12.

She started school on Monday.

“It’s definitely going to be brutal doing soccer and school at the same time,” said Dean, who will major in biology at Sonoma State. “I think it will make me stronger.”

She attended two-a-day workouts with the Seawolves last week.

“I’m only two days into double days,” she said. “It’s pretty daunting.”

Dean signed a national letter of intent with Sonoma State last November.

She announced her verbal commitment to the Seawolves on Aug. 31.

She had a cumulative grade-point average of 4.0 at Turlock High.

“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Dean said. “I put in so much work.”

Dean enjoyed her recruiting trip to the NCAA Division-II college, which is located in the city of Rohnert Park in Sonoma County.

“The girls were welcoming,” Dean said. “The campus was beautiful. The program is topnotch. I want to be on a winning team.”

Dean picked Sonoma State over Chico State, Sacramento State, Dominican University, Holy Names University and Linfield University.

“I chose Sonoma because the program really pushes you to the limit,” Dean said. 

The campus is also located just 21/2 hours from Turlock.

Three of Jenna’s biggest supporters will attend her games, including father Anthony Dean, mother Shavonne Blount and stepdad Ryan Blount.

“It’s not too far from my family,” Jenna Dean said.

Dean and Sonoma State will kick of the 2023 regular season on Aug. 31.

The Seawolves will play host to the Colorado Springs Lions.

Sonoma State has a rich tradition. 

The Seahawks claimed their third straight CCAA regular season title dating back to the 2019 season this past fall. Sonoma State finished 12-5-3 overall and first in conference action with a 7-2-2 mark.

The Seahawks have qualified for the last seven NCAA Tournaments.

“I’m excited for the season,” Dean said. “There are a lot of players here. Obviously, I hope to play and do as well as I can. You have to work every hard if you want to get minutes.”

Dean started playing recreational soccer at the age of five.

She joined the competitive ranks when she was 10. Dean was a member of the Modesto Ajax for several seasons.

She suited up for the Ceres Aftershocks before joining her current travel team, Placer United. Dean recently earned second-team all-ECNL Northern Cal All-Conference honors.

“I’m pretty competitive,” Dean said. “I like to win. I’ve always been told I can see the field well. I know the game. I’m pretty selfless. My coaches wanted me to be more selfish sometimes.”

Dean gained valuable experience with Academica SC, Turlock’s semi-professional soccer club, this past season. 

She was the second-youngest player on the team.

Academica SC closed out the year with a 4-2 win over San Francisco’s Olympic Club in USL play.

“The games I played, I started,” Dean said. “But I could tell I need to get stronger. Those girls were pretty big.”

Dean starred on Turlock High’s girls soccer team for four seasons.

She collected 59 goals and 33 assists in 48 career games.

“I feel I exceeded the standards I set for myself,” she said. “It was fun.”

Dean won the Central California Athletic League’s Offensive Player of the Year award for the second time this past winter. The standout attacking midfielder finished in a tie for Most Valuable Player with Gregori’s Ali Hou. Hou won the tiebreaker vote and was named the league’s top overall performer.

She totaled 14 goals and a league-best 10 assists — eight of which came during conference play.

Dean helped lead the Bulldogs to a 12-3-3 overall record, their first CCAL title since 2017-18 and a berth to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Turlock accumulated nine wins, no losses and one tie. 

She tallied 29 goals and 10 assists while propelling the Bulldogs to a 15-5-0 record, runner-up finish in the CCAL and trip to the postseason as a junior. She was voted league MVP.

Dean had four goals and three assists as Turlock High compiled an 8-2 record during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.

She had a breakout year as a freshman. Dean had 12 goals and 10 assists for the Bulldogs, who went 15-6-2 and advanced to the playoffs. She was voted CCAL Offensive Player of the Year.

Dean downplayed her individual success.

She’ll be remembered as one of Turlock High’s greatest soccer players.

“I wouldn’t been able to do that stuff without my teammates by my side,” she said. “It was not just me.”