MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama soccer signed 10 student-athletes to National Letters-of-Intent for the 2010 season Wednesday. Seven additional student-athletes will also join the program in 2010.
"Today is an exciting day for the soccer program at the University of South Alabama," USA head coach Mike Varga said. "The class of 2010 addresses needs at every position, and not only is large in size to help our depth, but I couldn't be happier with the quality of talent in the class. Not only is this class extremely talented on the field, but they are quality young ladies who take pride in their academics.
"I have enjoyed getting to know these young ladies and their families, and I look forward to working with this group to help them achieve their potential individually and collectively. I anxiously await next season when this class can combine with the talented student-athletes we have returning."
Sam Arbutina, Midfielder, Milford, Ohio (Milford HS)
Arbutina was a three-year starter at MHS, where she was named first-team all-Fort Valley Ancient Conference in 2009. She helped MHS capture back-to-back FAVC Buckeye Division titles from 2008-09. Arbutina helped MHS set school records for consecutive wins in a season (15), consecutive shutouts (6), consecutive games without a loss (16), fewest losses (2) and fewest goals allowed in a season (11). She played club soccer for Cincinnati United Premier in Cincinnati, Ohio.
"Sammy is a dynamic outside midfielder who is a proven force on the field," MHS head coach Pat Winkler said. "She makes smart, tactical runs in the attacking third, allowing us to put numbers in the box. She also displays great awareness when the ball is on her foot. Sammy is a tireless worker, and a lead-by-example player who every coach wants."
Stacie Bevens, Forward, Toccoa, Ga. (Stephens County HS)
Bevens is a four-year varsity starter at SCHS, where she set single-season school records in goals (35) and assists (26). She was selected to the 2009 8AAA all-region team, and 2010 team captain. She is an Academic All-Star Athlete and Governor's Honors Program nominee, and president of National Honor Society. Bevens played club soccer for Ambush 92 Elite in Alpharetta, Ga., where she has led the club in scoring the past three years. In the 2008-09 season, she scored 22 goals. Bevens chose USA over Western Carolina.
"Having a Stacie Bevens on your team means your scoring goals," SCHS head coach Kevin Boyce said. "She is a true striker in the sense where if you can get her the ball, she has the ability to attack forward with it, the ball skills to move it into space and if she can't get it in the net, she will serve it up so someone else can. We have been blessed with a young lady who works so hard and commits so much time to the sport and maintains such a high standard in the academic area as well. She will be missed, but we look forward to what lies ahead for our local girl."
Julie Buechner, Goalkeeper, Orient, Ohio (Central Crossing HS)
Buechner is a three-year letterwinner at CCHS. She earned Ohio Capital Conference honorable mention last year, and was also voted team captain. Buechner was voted MVP among goalkeepers at the West Side Soccer Classic last year, and helped Blast FC, her club team located in Columbus, Ohio, reach the State Cup finals and semifinals.
Jacey Chandler, Midfielder, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Buford HS)
Chandler lettered four years at BHS, where she was voted team captain two seasons. She played for the Georgia FC Silverbacks, located in Snellville, Ga., where she was voted captain for four years. Chandler chose USA over Iowa State, Western Carolina and Georgia State.
"Jacey has been a great asset to our team's success," Georgia FC head coach Jose Vivanco said. "She has been a leader on and off the field. Jacey has the ability to attack and defend. She demonstrates all of the values you need in a player to have a successful team environment. She is hard-working, committed, loyal and unselfish. I know she will become a key player for South Alabama in the years to come."
Melissa Cooley, Midfielder, Helena, Ala. (Pelham HS)
Cooley is a two-year letterwinner at PHS. She also plays goalkeeper, and has recorded 132 saves in goal. She was voted the team's most valuable player as a freshman after scoring seven goals on the season. She helped Birmingham United Soccer Association, located in Birmingham, Ala., win back-to-back state championships and Region III Premier League championships in 2008-09.
"Melissa is a very technical soccer player who is very versatile in her abilities," Dade said. "She is able to play a variety of positions on the field, and is good at all of them. She is a great character kid, and will bring with her a loyal dedication to be the best to USA."
Melissa Drish, Goalkeeper, Conyers, Ga. (Heritage HS)
Drish lettered four years at HHS, where she earned all-region honors in 2008-09. She was named team MVP in 2009, and was voted the Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2008. Drish allowed just 23 goals from 2008-09. She led the state in goalkeeping with Georgia Futbol Club Power Elite 92, and allowed just seven goals with the club in 2008-09. Drish chose USA over Tennessee and Georgia State.
"I have had the privilege of coaching Melissa for the last four years of her club career," Vivanco said. "She is without a doubt one of the top goalkeepers to come out of the south. Melissa is a great example of what you can achieve when you combine potential and hard work. She has a tremendous drive, a great work ethic and commitment to be the best. Melissa will be a great asset to USA, and a huge contributor to their success in the future."
Lizzie Goldsmith, Forward, Shaker Heights, Ohio (Shaker Heights HS)
Goldsmith is a four-year letterwinner at SHHS, where she tallied 29 career goals and led the team in assists in 2008-09. She received all-league honors from 2006-09, and helped SHHS capture the 2009 Lake Erie League championship. Goldsmith played club soccer for Cleveland Internationals, and helped capture the State Cup championship in 2005 and 2008-09. She chose USA over Marshall.
"Lizzie's contribution to our team's success at the state, regional and national levels was outstanding," Internationals head coach Zdravko Popovic said. "I am confident those experiences will help her contribute at the next level as well."
Clarissa Hernandez, Midfielder, Pensacola, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)
Hernandez is a four-year letterwinner at BTWHS. She earned first-team all-area honors for three seasons, and led the team in scoring her junior year. She was voted team captian at BTWHS and of her club team, Dallas Texans Florida 92 Girls, located in Pensacola, Fla. She ranks fifth out of 396 students in her class, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Hernandez chose USA over Florida State, Ole Miss and UAB.
"Clarissa is a humble, hard-working, consistent and excellent teammate," Dallas Texans Florida head coach David Kemp said. "She has developed into one of the best all-around players to ever come out of this area."
Morgan Motes, Midfielder, Birmingham, Ala. (Oak Mountain HS)
Motes received Birmingham Coaches Girls Soccer all-metro honorable mention accolades from 2007-09. She was also voted rookie of the year as a freshman at OMHS. Motes is a National Honor Society member and school valedictorian. She is a member of Birmingham United Soccer Association '92 Elite, located in Birmingham, Ala. Motes helped BUSA win state championships in 2008-09, and a Region III Premiere League championship from 2008-09. She chose USA over five schools, including Troy.
"Morgan is coming off of her best year as a club player," BUSA executive director Eric Dade said. "She had a brilliant fall season, and did a fantastic job anchoring the central midfield for her BUSA '92 Elite team. Morgan is a very technically sound player who has the innate ability to keep the ball at all times, and really links up well with other midfielders and front players. She will provide great stability to USA and should compete for playing time right off the bat."
Lissette Nunez, Defender, McDonough, Ga. (Union Grove HS)
Nunez is a three-year letterwinner at UGHS, where she earned all-region honors in 2008-09. She was named second-team all-county in 2009, and helped UGHS reach the state semifinals in 2008. In 2007, she was voted the team's most valuable player. She was voted team captain of her club team, Concorde Fire South 92 Black, located in Fayetteville, Ga.
Jessica Oram, Midfielder, Pace, Fla. (Pace HS)
Oram is a four-year letterwinner at PHS, where she helped capture the 2010 District I-5A championship. She was named 2009 Class 5A first-team all-state by FloridaSoccerGirls.com, and was named first-team all-area by the Pensacola News Journal in 2008-09. Oram was also named the Panhandle Sports Broadcasting Defensive Player-of-the-Year and first-team all-state by PSB in 2009. She played club soccer for Dallas Texans Florida, located in Pensacola, Fla., where she helped the team reach the Florida State Cup semifinals in 2007-08, and the National Cup in 2008.
"Jessica is one of the most composed players I've ever seen," Kemp said. "She is famous for her steals and defensive plays, as well as being very technical and efficient in possession. She has a tremendous upside."
Shelby Owen, Defender, Trussville, Ala. (Hewitt-Trussville HS)
Owen is a two-year letterwinner at HTHS, where she was voted team captain for her senior season. She helped helped HTHS reach the state playoffs for the first time in school history in 2009. Owen was also selected to the Alabama High School Athletic Association All-Star Sports Week North team in 2009. She played club soccer for BUSA '91 Elite in Birmingham, Ala., to back-to-back Region III Premier League championships, as well as three state championships. Owen chose USA over Western Carolina and Troy.
"Shelby has been a staple of excellence within our organization for many years," Dade said. "She is a tough, hard-nosed defender who loves to compete. Her competitive nature will carry her far at USA, and she will be a player who helps to anchor the backline from day one."
Emi Passini, Defender, Middleton, Wis. (Middleton HS)
Passini is a three-year letterwinner at MHS. She was voted team captain in 2010, and first-team all-Big 8 Conference in 2009. Passini was also voted most valuable defender at MHS last season. She has played for Middleton Yahara Soccer Club for eight years, where she was voted team captain and helped the team capture the 2008 Wisconsin Premier League championship. Passini chose USA over Iowa State and Wisconsin.
"Emi is precisely the type of student-athlete I always tried to recruit during my 25-year tenure as a Division I coach," MYSC head coach and USA Hall of Fame member Roy Patton said. "She is a wonderful person, a committed student, a hard-working team player and a person who I predict will ultimately make a very positive contribution in her life ahead."
"Emi is a tenacious defender and fierce competitor who can neutralize attacks, win balls and has the composure and technical skill to initiate counter-attacks," MHS head coach Ken Burghy said. "She is an outstanding student with outstanding character."
Tatum Perry, Defender, Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville HS)
Perry is a three-year letterwinner at HHS where she was a defender, midfielder and forward. She played club soccer for Birmingham United Soccer Association '93 Elite, in Birmingham, Ala., and helped BUSA win the 2009-10 state championship. Perry chose USA over Ole Miss, Baylor and Yale.
"Tatum has been a great addition to our BUSA '93 Elite team the past two seasons," Dade said. "She is a tremendous athlete with great pace with and without the ball. She loves to compete, and will bring her desire of wanting to be the best all the time to USA each and every day. She is a great young lady, and will be a great addition to the soccer program at USA."
Tina Schaar, Midfielder, Lansing, Mich. (DeWitt HS)
Schaar played club soccer for Phoenix Soccer Club in Grand Blanc, Mich., where she was team captain for four years. She is a four-year honoree in the DHS academic hall of fame, and is a National Honor Society member. Schaar chose USA over Central Michigan and Northern Illinois.
"Tina is the heart and soul of the Phoenix Elite," head coach Hank Leung said. "Her commitment to excellence, on and off the field, is second to none. Where she was when I first arrived in Michigan five years ago, to where she is now speaks volumes. She is a leader."
Kristyn Thacker, Forward, Ellenwood, Ga. (Union Grove HS)
Thacker is a four-year letterwinner at UGHS, where she has earned first-team all-county honors. She is the school's career leader in goals (82), assists (34) and points (198), and holds single-season records in goals (37) and points (87). Thacker helped her club team, AFC Lightning '92 White, located in Fayetteville, Ga., capture the Region 3 Premier League championship.
"Kristyn is relentless with her effort, passionate about playing, and is one of the most coachable players on our team," AFC head coach Andy Thompson said. "She is the type of Friday night, Sunday afternoon player that every college team needs. She will make a positive impact at USA from her first match to her last."
Margaret Vicker, Forward, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Air Academy HS)
Vicker is a three-year letterwinner at AAHS, where she helped the school reach the Class 5A state quarterfinals in 2008 and the state finals in 2009. She is also a Merit and Principal Scholar. She played club for Rush Pikes Peak Nike (1992), located in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"I coached Margaret through some of her formative years in competitive youth soccer, and found her passion and vision for the game greatly improved," Rush Pikes Peak Nike coach Ken Knitter said. "When in the clutch, she has the mindset and calmness to execute. Undoubtedly, Margaret's athleticism, strong understanding of the game and desire to win will be assets in helping USA succeed on and off the field."
To view a photo gallery of the 2010 class, click here.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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