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MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama soccer program has announced that five student-athletes will be joining the squad for the 2018 season.

Added to the roster for the fall are Gabrielle Lie, Brianna Mascia, McKenzie Nowin, Kileigh Whited, Olivia Wilkes.

"I think it's a difficult position to be in when you graduate a lot of seniors, but we took that into consideration with this recruiting class," head coach Richard Moodie said. "It's a very diverse class that has a lot to offer us, but they're a group that can step in right away and create the competition we need in the practice environment and for starting positions.

It's a great group and one with a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. But it's one that can contribute."

Gabrielle Lie – Midfielder
NTG Baerum
Oslo, Norway
Joined the soccer program after enrolling in January… Graduate of NTG Bareum in Oslo, Norway, where she played three seasons for the soccer team… Played 2 ½ seasons for club team Roa Dynamite Girls, where she led them to a third-place finish in the league in 2015 and a cup final appearance in 2016.

Moodie on Lie: "Gabrielle came in before the spring semester so she's already enrolled in classes. She's a center mid that can come in and take the place of Chelsea Followwell. Gabrielle is a freshman so it's a positive that she has a four-year career ahead of her. She comes in with a great soccer background and IQ, so she can adjust to the American game and is ready to play. Physically, I think she can match the competition we take on in 2018. We'll get to see her play this spring, but already she's had a positive impact on this squad."

McKenzie Nowin – Midfielder
Westminster Christian Academy
Fayetteville, Tenn.
Earned four varsity letters for the Wildcats… Named second team all-state after freshman and sophomore seasons, and named first team all-state as a junior… Led team in scoring as a freshman and junior… Led team to second-place finish in the playoffs… Scored both goals in a 2-1 win to decide area championship… 10-year member of HFC Girls 99 Blue club team and won four state titles… Region III pool selection in 2016… ODP state/region camp team.

Moodie on Nowin: "McKenzie is someone that we've had the ability to watch grow over the years. She comes in with a really good background and will create a lot of depth in the midfield. She can offer something we don't have at that positon: she's very tall, athletic and very physical. There are a lot of teams in the conference that are recruiting size and height; Little Rock had two that were over 6-feet tall and that posed a threat on set pieces. So she gives us something we don't have in the midfield, and she's a strong talent that will be able to grow into the squad."

Olivia Wilkes – Defender
Balshaws High School
Preston, England
Played soccer, cricket, rounders and track & field at Balshaws in Leyland, England… Guided soccer team to regional school championships in 2015 and 2016… Led team in goals and was named vice captain… Spent last two seasons at Fylde Ladies FC… Named the player of the year for Manchester United's Centre of Excellence.

Moodie on Wilkes: "She's a product of Accrington and Rossendale College, like a lot of the other English girls we've had come through the program. She's had a lot of experience playing at the top level in England, so she comes from a very good soccer background. She's a naturally left-footed player, and her dad is a former pro, so she has all the makings of a fantastic player. She gives us a lot of depth in that fullback position that we lack, and she's left-footed – we don't have a left back that's left-footed. With our style of play, anything that comes through Olivia, we'll be able to play out of the back under pressure. She gives us that patience and calmness to play out under pressure and can drop the ball on a dime."

Kileigh Whited – Defender
Navarre High School
Milton, Fla.
Scored 32 goals with 21 assists with Navarre High School… Scored five goals in one game, and was named to state all-star game and Montverde Invitational all-Tournament Team… Spent nine years with Gulf Coast Texans club team out of Pensacola, Fla. … Served as team captain for four years… Reached state quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons, and won 2015 Disney and 2017 Disney Showcase tournaments… Named to WPSL, PDP, IMG ODP and ID2 Select teams… Member of ODP Regional team as well.

Moodie on Whited: "Kileigh is a fantastic individual, and if there was someone in this class that encompasses what a South Alabama student-athlete should be, she's it. She's enthusiastic, fun to be around, works hard, rolls her sleeves up and is eager to please. She's very versatile; I see her coming in as a fullback, but she can play in multiple positions and increases the intensity of the squad. That's what we needed with this recruiting class. She has a great personality and I'm excited to get a chance to coach her."

Brianna Mascia – Forward
Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School
Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Lettered in volleyball, and indoor and outdoor soccer… Led the Cardinals to Ontario Cup and Canadian national championship in 2014, and an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations title in 2016… Won OFSAA gold medal in 2015 and bronze in 2014… Scored over 30 goals in 20 games… Assisted the winning goal in the OFSAA final in 2016… Played for club teams Stoney Creek Battalion (2008-16) and Burlington Bayhawks (2016-18)… Won Ontario Cup and national title with Stoney Creek in 2014, and Ontario Cup with a runner-up finish in national tournament in 2017 with Burlington… Awarded golden boot for most goals scored at national tournament, and was second-leading scorer in Ontario.

Moodie on Mascia: "Brianna ranks highly within Canada on her ability to score goals. She's exciting to watch and you're on the edge of your seat. She's not scared to get stuck in and work hard. That's something that we don't have. The one player that stood out for us last year in the conference was Kory Dixon – everybody was scared of death of her, and Brianna is the same thing on the other side of the field. Brianna is very clinical in front of goal. We want to play those games where we have to fight for the win, she'll roll up her sleeves and get it done. She just needs a half a chance and the ball is in the back of the net.

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