By Bill Sheehan

A year ago, Cal State Fullerton's Kaylee Noble was named Big West Freshman of the Year after scoring three goals and recording two assists.

The 5-foot-9 forward from Lakewood has avoided a sophomore jinx. This season, she leads the Titans in goals (six) and points (15) and is third in assists (three). "My teammates are getting me the opportunities to score," Noble said. "My goal was to double my goals this year, but I'm not done yet."

Titans forward Gracie Paton called Noble a multiskilled player who makes her teammates better. "Kaylee has great speed and is very strong and smart. She knows exactly where to go on the field. Her body language lets us know if she wants the ball at her feet or behind the defender.

"Kaylee is a great team player who lifts everyone. She is always early to practice and pushes everyone to be their best selves, said Paton, a sophomore from La Canada Flintridge.

Fullerton head coach Demian Brown describes Noble as "lightning in a bottle."

"Kaylee hasn't been 100% healthy this season but has made big contributions to the team," said Brown." Her scoring ability is just what we need as we fight for a spot in the tournament."


A kinesiology major, Kaylee Noble plans to pursue a career as a physician's assistant specializing in dermatology. Photo by Bill Sheehan

The Titans, who are 6-9-3 overall and 4-3-2 in Big West play, face Cal State Bakersfield (6-10-3, 4-3-2) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Titan Stadium in the regular season finale for both teams. The two schools are tied for fourth place in the conference.

Hawaii, UC Davis, and UC Santa Barbara have secured spots in the six team Big West tournament. Five schools – including Fullerton – are battling for the final three slots. A win or tie against Bakersfield on Halloween night would guarantee the Titans a playoff berth.

"We go into every game a little bit different, changing what we are doing based on the competition. We lose a little consistency, but there is a good resolve with the players to make those changes and do well," said Brown, who is in his 18th year as Titans head coach.

"After our loss to Irvine (on Oct. 17), I took a pretty hard stance with our team. I told our players, 'Our tournament is starting a week and a half early. We needed wins to extend our season.' "

To motivate them, Brown brought Fullerton's 2023 Big West regular season championship trophy into the locker room. The team has responded well to his message, with shutout wins over Long Beach State and UC San Diego.

"We all kept looking at the trophy, and it's been inspiring us to reach the playoffs again and do even better," said Noble of the Titans, who lost to UC Irvine in the tournament semifinals last year.

"We had a rough start this season, but we're getting there," said Noble, who has recovered from a knee injury. "Our team chemistry is great. The defense is connecting with the midfielders and the forwards. Now we're getting the groove back. I love how we are playing as a tight-knit group."

"What we work on in practice is critical for our success. We need to stay calm and focused. Demian really dives down into what we need to work on, both individually and as a team. He is a great coach who loves his team and loves being around us."

Noble and Paton live off campus with sophomore teammate Sail Bozinovic. "Kaylee cares for her friends and does a lot of things for them. She can make a birthday very special," said Paton.

"We are always laughing and having a good time. A lot of it is because Kaylee has a very big sense of humor. One night, we were all doing homework together. When we got tired, Kaylee had us running around the living room playing Four Corners, the children's game. It was very funny. And it got our mind off the homework, if just for a few minutes."

Running has always been a way of life for Noble. She began racing around a soccer field as an AYSO player at age 3. "We later had her in softball, but it was too slow for her. She loves to run," said Noble's mother, Wendi.

After five years of AYSO, Noble began competing for Beach Futbol Club, which is based in Long Beach. Her father, Jeff, recalled what might have been her finest moment with the squad.

"Her team was in Las Vegas for championship game. She and some of her teammates felt sick after lunch, and several didn't play. Kaylee's coach told her, 'We really need you out there.' Not only did she play – she scored the winning goal."

At age 16, Noble switched to Newport Beach-based Slammers Football Club. "Going over there was the best decision I ever made," she said.

Noble played three years for head coach Louis Segovia, who was assisted by his wife Monique. "Louis saw my strengths and built them up. He helped me very much, mentally and soccer-wise. Together they developed me, and that's how I made it to Division 1 soccer," said Noble, who won a club championship with Slammers in 2022.

At Los Alamitos High School, Noble was a three-year varsity letter winner and started as a junior and a senior. She was the team captain as a senior and led Los Alamitos to the 2023 CIF SS Division 1 Championship game, which Santa Margarita High School won, 1-0, in overtime.


Kaylee Noble was a two-year starter on the Los Alamitos High School girls' soccer team. She also played club soccer for Beach FC and Slammers FC.

"The championship game didn't go how I wanted it. But playing at Los Al gave me a lot of experience and helped me transition to collegiate soccer," she said. "I made a lot of great friendships there. And now I can see my former teammates when I compete against them – same with my Slammers teammates."

It was as a Slammers member that Noble came to the attention of Brown, her Titans coach.

"I was at a tournament in Norco, and we played Demian's club team. He didn't know me, and he was very surprised when I scored three or four goals in a lopsided win. Afterward, he started texting me, and we began communicating. I wanted to be at a school close to home, so it was a perfect fit, and I accepted a scholarship."

Noble, who has an older brother, Joey, and a younger brother, Jayden, was driven to succeed at an early age, her parents said.

"We have a very competitive family," said Jeff. "Kaylee and her brothers all wanted to be the fastest, the best scorer and reach the top level. They are still competing to this day."


Kaylee Noble's family celebrates with her on Los Alamitos High's Senior Night From left are her brother Jayden, mother Wendi, father Jeff and brother Joey.

Joey played defensive end for Los Alamitos High, Fullerton College and the University of New Mexico. He recently received a master's degree and plans a career as a project manager. Jayden, a high school senior, also played defensive end at Los Alamitos but is focused this year on becoming a firefighter.

Jeff installs commercial Wi-Fi systems. He has worked at Sofi Stadium and on the LAX automated people mover project. Wendi is Los Angeles County Superior Court clerk. They both competed in sports as teenagers -- Jeff in roller hockey and Wendi in high school softball.

Noble said Rose Lavelle, the U.S. Women's National Team midfielder, is her favorite soccer player. "I love her play and her work ethic. She has great awareness on the field, and she knows where the ball is or how to pinpoint it. She he plays good balls to forwards, which is what I love and need."

The 19-year-old Noble is a kinesiology major and envisions a career as a physician's assistant, specializing in dermatology. "I just think it would be an awesome job. I've always dreamed of working in that medical field."

Noble goes to the beach year-round. "I'll go in the water, even in the winter – it's like a nice bath. I only wear a wetsuit if I'm surfing. She also baby-sits occasionally. "I just love doing baby-sitting when I have the time."

She especially enjoys traveling and listening to country music. "I went to six concerts last summer, and the Zac Brown Band put on the best show."

Noble said she hopes to spend more time experiencing campus life next year.

"My social life has been pretty much within the Athletic Department. Student-athletes have the same kind of schedules and commitments. And you can always talk to them about your problems or whatever because they know what you're feeling.

"I'm taking online classes this semester, which is super-nice because of the traveling and stuff. But I'm planning to make a lot of new friends next semester because all my classes will be in-person."

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