SAN DIMAS/LA VERNE – At San Dimas High School, there will always be a place on the Wall of Fame for Class of 2021 alumna and professional soccer player Ally Lemos, who brought the Lady Saints soccer team its only state championship in 2021, before continuing on to UCLA and getting drafted to the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), winning championships for each team.

Lemos becomes the latest former Saint to have their jersey retired and placed on the school’s Wall of Fame in the lobby of the San Dimas High gymnasium. Principal Omar Mayen and assistant principal Jack Nance made the presentation during halftime of the San Dimas varsity basketball game on Jan. 10. Lemos, who has now won championship titles at the state, college and pro levels, turns 21 in March.

“This is very exciting for me. I have so many great memories here,” Lemos said. “I’m proud to be here tonight with my family and friends, representing San Dimas. This will always be my school.”

Lemos’ Wall of Fame ceremony came one month after Lemos took time from her busy schedule to pay a visit to the current Lady Saints squad before their Dec. 10 game against Bonita High School, bringing championship swagger, inspiration, and gifts of appreciation to the players and coaches.

Before the game, Lemos surprised the team with gifts and donations, presenting both the girls and boys soccer teams with soccer balls, while also giving the girls’ varsity players warm-up jackets and slides, and gifting the coaches with a pair of shoes and a jacket.

“I love to come back and visit with the players and coaches. San Dimas is a special place for me,” Lemos said. “This is the first time in my career I’ve had a chance to give back and it’s really exciting to be able to do that. It’s great to see old friends and familiar faces, but I also like meeting the new players and being around the program.”

Lemos still has personal connections with San Dimas’ 2024-25 girls soccer team. Though Lemos only played the first half of the 2021-22 season before leaving to attend UCLA, she bonded closely with her teammates, especially the freshmen, who are now in their senior year at San Dimas. Additionally, varsity assistant coach and JV head coach Bethany Starks was Lemos’ teammate on the 2021 championship team.

“The 2020-21 season was a whirlwind. We were undefeated up until our last game in CIF, and then we won state, so I really think that the whole season and experience bonded us for life,” Lemos said. “It’s really the people who make the place, and the people at San Dimas are the reason why I keep going back and wanting to give back.”

Lemos’ soccer career has been a nonstop series of golden opportunities and championship matches. After leading San Dimas to a state championship during the 2020-21 season – a season that saw Lemos score 46 goals on her way to being named San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the Year – Lemos graduated early to enroll at UCLA, the university she committed to when she was in the ninth grade.

Lemos started every game during her freshman year at UCLA, which culminated in an overtime win against perennial power North Carolina to capture the school’s second NCAA women’s soccer championship in 2022. After spending one more season at UCLA, Lemos was drafted by the Orlando Pride and made her NWSL debut in 2024. The Pride went on to win the NWSL Shield for best win-loss record before taking their first NWSL championship last November.

“It’s incredible what Ally has been able to achieve in such a short time. She is a once-in-a-lifetime talent,” San Dimas girls’ soccer coach Josh Arenas said. “We’re blessed that Ally remains close to the team and a huge supporter. When she comes back to visit, it’s always an exciting time for the players and staff. As successful as she has been so far, Ally is just another kid from the neighborhood, which is really inspiring to our players.”

PHOTO:

BUSD_ALLYLEMOS: San Dimas High Class of 2021 graduate Ally Lemos celebrates as her #10 jersey is placed on the Saints Wall of Fame during a Jan. 10 ceremony. Lemos, who helped guide the Lady Saints soccer team to their only State championship, also won the NCAA women’s soccer championship with UCLA in 2022, and the NWSL championship with the Orlando Pride in 2024.