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MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama head soccer coach Mike Varga announced the addition of six student-athletes to the 2012 roster Monday morning.

“I am fortunate to have great assistant coaches that are passionate about the success of the soccer program at the University of South Alabama,” said USA head coach Mike Varga. “The many days on the road and time spent recruiting have paid off with a wonderful class of student-athletes. Not only are the members of the class of 2012 talented soccer players, but great students and they come from wonderful families. I couldn't be more excited about this class.  

“The class of 2012 brings a lot of flexibility and experience to our roster,” Varga commented. “Most of the student-athletes we are bringing in have the ability to play numerous positions at a high level.”

Alli Cochran, Midfielder, Chelsea, Ala. (Chelsea HS)

Cochran lettered two years in soccer, one year in cross country and one year in basketball at Chelsea High School in Chelsea, Ala. In her freshman season, Cochran earned a spot on the first team all-state team. She was also a 2009 Birmingham News all-state honorable mention.

Cochran was a three-year member of the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club and a two-year member of the Birmingham United Soccer Association. She was also a two-year member of the Brentwood Soccer Club where she helped her team to two Tennessee state championships.

“Alli Cochran is a skillful, hardworking player that can play almost anywhere on the field outside of the goal,” said Varga. “She has a high work rate and a passion for the game that will be contagious to her teammates. I look for Alli to play primarily in the midfield, but love the options that she brings to our program.”

Jordan Duncan, Forward, Bay St. Louis, Miss. (Bay HS)

Duncan, who hails from Bay St. Louis, Miss., lettered six years in soccer, two years in volleyball and one year in softball for Bay High School. In her career, Duncan has recorded 168 goals for the Tigers. She also led the Tigers to a class 4A south state championship this season. She was named to the Sun Herald all-coast and all-district soccer teams.

Duncan played five years for the Biloxi Express and three years for the GCU Dynamos as a forward. On the Biloxi Express, she was the team’s MVP and leading scorer from 2004-08. Duncan was also the leading scorer on the GCU Dynamos in 2010 and 2011.   

“Jordan Duncan is a proven goal scorer,” Varga said. “She is a strong forward with a nose for the goal. Jordan has the physical abilities to step right into the college game and continue her goal-scoring prowess. She is also a proven winner and competitor and should have a smooth transition to the collegiate game.”

Dani Garcia, Midfielder/Forward, Colleyville, Texas (Colleyville Heritage HS)

Garcia is a three-year starter at Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas while maintaining at 4.8 GPA. In the past two years, she has produced nine goals while adding 17 assists. As a sophomore Garcia was named to the all-district second team. Last season, she earned a spot on the all-district first team.

“Dani is a crafty player that has the ability to beat defenders and create goals for her team,” said Colleyville Heritage’s head coach Misail Tsapos.

She also has seven years of club experience playing for the Solar Soccer Club, the ASG Futbal Club and the Wichita Falls Xpress.

“Dani Garcia is a dangerous attacking player that is quick and very good on the ball,” said Varga. “She can play multiple attacking positions and has the ability to score, and also to set up teammates. Dani will also pose many problems for our opponents, and will be difficult to defend with her combination of skill and athletic ability.”

Sarah Hay, Goalkeeper, Waxahachie, Texas (Waxahachie HS)

Hay is a four-year letter winner in soccer and a two-year letter winner in cross country at Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, Texas. She was named the Indians’ co-captain in 2012. She led the Indians to the regional semifinals three consecutive years. As a sophomore, Hay received all-state honors.

Hay was a starter on the Solar Soccer Club 94 White team in Grapevine, Texas last season.

“Sarah Hay is a talented goalkeeper that will flourish in the program,” Varga said. “Sarah has the size and athletic ability to become a top-notch goalkeeper. The sky is the limit for Sarah and I look for her to have a wonderful career at the University of South Alabama.”

Nini Rabsatt-Smith, Defender, Montgomery, Ala. (Montgomery Academy)

Rabsatt-Smith, a Montgomery, Ala. native, has been a member of the Montgomery Academy varsity soccer team since her seventh grade year. This past season, she led the Eagles to a 22-0-1 record. She was named to the Montgomery Advertiser’s all-metro first team from 2009-11 and earned a Player of the Year nod in 2012.

In her junior season, Rabsatt-Smith scored 13 goals and tallied 11 assists from her position as a defender including the game-winner in the class 1A-4A 2011 state championship match. She earned 2011 tournament MVP honors for her performance in that game.

“Nini has been a joy to coach in both soccer and basketball,” said Montgomery Academy soccer and basketball coach Glenn Sylvest. “Her outstanding work ethic and unselfish attitude have permeated throughout our programs.”

Rabsatt-Smith was recommended for the US Club Soccer’s 2009-10 id2 national player identification and development program and entered the national player pool. In 2009, she played in the Dana Cup on the U17 girls’ team in Denmark and was a member of the Olympic Development Program Region III team. Rabsatt-Smith also attended the Region III Interregional National Development Camp in Coral Springs, Fla. in 2010.

 “Nini Rabsatt-Smith has gained tremendous experience competing at the regional and national levels. Nini can play multiple positions, but I think she will be at her best playing in the back for us. With her speed and one-on-one defending ability, she has the tools to become one of the top defenders in the Sun Belt Conference. She adds the ability to get forward and attack out of the back and can be a difficult match up for teams we will face.”

Cynthia Slover, Forward/Midfielder, Upland, Calif. (Upland HS)

Slover, and Upland, Calif. Native, lettered four years in soccer at Upland High School where she helped the Highlanders to a Baseline League Championship in 2010 and a runner up spot in 2011. She also led Upland to the CIF SS Division I quarterfinals in 2010 and the Division II quarterfinals in 2011.

“Cynthia Slover is the sister of Sam Slover who played at South Alabama from 2006-09,” Varga said. “Cynthia is a hard working student-athlete that also has the ability to play multiple positions. She will be utilized mostly as a wide back or wide midfielder. She reads the game well and is a good fit for our style of play.”

Slover played eight years for the Platinum Futbol Club in San Bernardino, Calif. She helped Platinum F.C. to a third place finish in the 2011 US Club Soccer X National Cup Finals. Slover also led Platinum F.C. championships at the Las Vegas Players Showcase, the San Diego Albion College Showcase and the US Club Regional.
"Cynthia is a very hard working player who brings out the best in all of her teammates,” said head coach of Platinum F.C. Travis Clarke. “While on our club team, she played against the best youth competition in the nation and always did a great job.  She can play almost all field positions and a high level and her main attribute in how physical she plays and defends."  

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