MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama women’s head soccer coach Graham Winkworth has announced the signing of 10 student-athletes for the 2013 season.
 
“I am excited about this signing class,” Winkworth said. “I cannot wait to meet the young ladies that the previous coaching staff received commitments from. I would like to thank [former head] coach [Mike] Varga, [former assistant] coach [Brian] Diaz and [former assistant coach, Brandon] Gwin for all their hard work and efforts. It will be a very exciting time during the summer, as it will be the first time I get to see many of them play.
 
“This is an exciting time for South Alabama soccer,” the coach said. “The older girls here are working very hard for me and have had a wonderful attitude towards practice this semester. I am very proud of how they have adapted to the changes that the program has gone through. I am also very excited to meet the new girls that I have yet to see play or meet personally. They all seem dedicated young ladies when I have spoken to them, and I am sure that they are all working very hard in preparation for the new chapter in their lives.
 
“It is my hope to add maybe one or two more faces before the season in August,” Winkworth added.” I would like to add a little more competition up top to the squad.”
  Brianna 'Bri' Nagle
Center Defender • Western Branch HS • Chesapeake, Va.
As a freshman, Nagle led Western Branch in scoring and was eighth in the district in goals scored. In her sophomore year, she was named first-team all-district despite having to change positions from midfielder to defender. She was also awarded the Superintendent's Scholar Athlete award. Nagle played her club soccer with Virginia Rush.
 
Shelby Gilliland
Midfielder • Petal HS • Hattiesburg, Miss.
Gililand led Petal High School to a 13-5-4 record in 2012, the senior helping her squad to a Region 5-6A title, making it to the second round of the Mississippi state playoffs. The team’s leader in assists, she scored a goal and added a helper in Petal’s first-ever win over Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.) in mid-January.
 
Maha Maarouf
Forward •  Baker HS • Mobile, Ala.
Maroouf led Baker High School to an undefeated season with 32 goals as a freshman. She was named MVP her freshmen and sophomore years and was named All-County in 2010 and 2011, whil also being named 2011 Birmingham News All-State Girls Soccer Team Honorable Mention. She was selected to play in the All-Star Game 2010, 2011, and 2012. Maarouf played club with the academy team of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo.
 
Jane Perrin Mayer
Defender • Gulfport HS • Gulfport, Miss.
Perrin was named to the 2013 Mississippi Association of Coaches South All-Star Team. She played club with FC United ’95 girls’ team.
 
Taylor Nutting
Midfielder/Forward • Walled Lake Northern HS • Commerce Township, Mich.
Nutting played club for Michigan Hawks ’95 Black. Her team was Michigan State Cup Champion in 2012 and was a quarterfinalist in 2012 United States Youth Soccer National Championship regional. The club also placed 3^rd place in the highest bracket at the Disney College Showcase in both 2011 & 2012. Nutting played for Walled Lake Northern High School, earning a spot on the varsity team her freshman year. As a prep, her squad was North Division Champions for the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, where she was named District Honorable Mention.
  
Taylor Hughes
Defender • Pell City HS • Cropwell Ala.
 Hughes was named a 2012 Birmingham News All-State Girls Soccer Team Honorable Mention after leading Pell City High School to an 11-3-0 record. She was named all-tournament for her performance at the 2011 Lakeshore Shootout in Birmingham. In the same year, she was awarded PCHS’s Defensive Player of the Year. She played club soccer with Birmingham United.
 
Winkworth was also able to add a few new faces late in the recruiting calendar.
 
Nicola Shirtcliffe
Winger • St. Christopher’s • Lancashire, UK
The Blackburn Rovers’ Ladies Reserves winger went through three trials to earn her place in the England national squad, and made her debut in a 3-0 defeat against Australia at Solihull Moors. She scored four goals in nine appearances in the 2012 season, including a hat-trick in the 5-4 Premier Reserve League Cup win at Leicester City, and the equalizer in a 1-1 league draw at Sunderland - and earned a number of first team call-ups. Shirtcliffe represented Lancashire while still a pupil at St Christopher’s and went through a north west trial at college before being named in the final 33 following another trial at Lilleshall. From there she earned a place in the 22-strong squad after a Phase Three trial, and made her bow against Australia, ahead of the first leg of the annual Anglo-Welsh Shield match against Welsh Colleges, again at Solihill Moors, on March 23^rd, 2012.

“Nikki is a wide player that has great pace,” Winkworth commented. “She is comfortable playing on either side and at either fullback or on the wing. Having her pace will offer us something a little different, and I know that she will pop up with a few goals for her role next year.”
 
Emily Farrell (Lancashire, Great Britian)
Central Midfielder • St. Christopher’s • Lancashire, UK
Farrell was a teammate of Shirtcliffe’s with the Blackburn Rovers’ Ladies Reserves. Farrell’s father played professionally in the UK, including a stint at Burnley.
 
“Emily is a quality defensive midfield player who can also play at the back,” said Winkworth. “She is quick and comfortable in possession. I feel she will be excellent at helping to protect our back line and provide us with a little more grit in the middle of the park. She comes from a soccer playing family where her dad played over 600 games professionally.”
 
Paxton Parker (Franklin, TN - Centennial, HS)
Defnder • Centennial HS • Franklin, Tenn.
Parker, a center back anchoring the Centennial High School defense, played for Tennessee Soccer Club Premier ’95 before the merger with Brentwood Soccer Club.
 
“Paxton is a very intelligent defender who reads the game very well,” Winkworth said. “She attended my camp last year, and she has a wonderful attitude and work ethic. She convinced me that she has the right mentality to play at this level. I am sure she will add competition at the back within our roster.”
 
Monique Autmon (Ocean Springs, MS)
Autmon played on Ocean Springs' Class 6A state championship team. Teammates with Gilliland for FC United 95 Blue.
 
“Mo is a lovely young lady who I was lucky to have the opportunity to work with some last summer. She is a versatile player who can play almost anywhere on the field. I am sure through her years at South Alabama she will fill a number of roles.” 
 
Winkworth mentioned that anyone interested in playing soccer for South Alabama should consider attending one of the team’s camps this year. The squad offers College ID camp on April 20 and then a College Prep Camp on July 14-17.
 
Please email Graham Winkworth at southalsoccer@yahoo.com or call him on 256-483-1831 for details.
 
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).