MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama soccer head coach Richard Moodie announced Thursday that Samantha Thomsit has been hired as an assistant coach.

Thomsit, who spent the previous three years at Burlingame Soccer Club as the U17 and U10 women's soccer head coach, reunites with Moodie, who coached her at Carson-Newman in 2012.

"Sam Thomsit is a young lady that comes very well qualified in the game of soccer," Moodie said. "She's been a part of different academies and has spent some time traveling overseas and getting a feel for what the sport has to offer worldwide. She comes in having worked with some seasoned veterans within the game. I know we're going to get a hard worker and someone who is going to help pull South Alabama women's soccer to the next level.

"I'm excited for her to be a part of the staff. I think the girls are going to be very lucky to have her as their coach."

In her three years at BSC, Thomsit also served as the United States Development Academy Travel Coordinator in addition to her head coaching duties. She coordinated all travel for USDA tournaments, directed the Path to College Program, and coordinated girls' camps, among other duties.

Thomsit also spent a year at Saint Cecilia's Private Catholic School as a K-8 physical education teacher, and worked the summer of 2015 at the Headfirst Atlanta Braves Camp, where her responsibilities included stadium tours and organizing player meet-and-greets.

In 2014, she joined the staff at the JSSL / Arsenal Soccer School in Singapore and managed the U6, U10 and U15 teams.

After graduating from Carson-Newman in 2013 with a degree in physical education, she served as the U18 head coach for Knoxville Soccer Academy and the head coach for Cherokee High School in Rogersville, Tenn.

"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of a program and institution that is as rich in history and success as the University of South Alabama," Thomsit said. "I look forward to being part of the Mobile community and want to thank the athletic department and coaching staff for entrusting me with the opportunity to be part of their continued success."

As a player, Thomsit started 15 times as a freshman on a team that went 20-3-1, won the South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament. She suffered a season-ending injury early in her sophomore season, but started all 16 games as a senior and recorded one point.

Thomsit is an FA Level 1 and USSF D licensed coach and has her NSCAA Level 2 Goalkeeping Diploma.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Upper 90 Club, the soccer specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All gifts to the Upper 90 Club go directly to support the South Alabama soccer program. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/upper90

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