MOBILE, Ala. ? University of South Alabama head soccer coach Mike Varga announced the signing of 11 high school players to the class of 2008, Wednesday. The players signed represent six states across the United States from Texas to Ohio to Wisconsin.
“This years recruiting class is as good as South Alabama has ever had. We have added a lot of goal scoring potential and a tremendous amount of athletic ability at every position,” South Alabama head soccer coach Mike Varga said “Over the next couple years, we have some tough competition scheduled and I am confident that this group combined with our returning players will help our program reach new heights.”
Kristin Sutton is a forward from Pensacola, Fla., where she was a starter for coach Tony Gage at Tate High School. She was named First Team Pensacola News Journal all-area after scoring 21 goals and adding five assist during her final season. Sutton also added 20 goals during her junior season, while being named PNJ Second Team all area. She chose USA over Alabama, Ole Miss and West Florida.
“Kristin is an exciting player with a love for the game that is hard to match,” Varga noted. “I am anxious to coach Kristin and see what she is capable of achieving on the soccer field.”
Another forward Lauren Marsh, prepped at Fairhope High School for head coach Steve Morisani. Marsh scored over 100 goals during her high school career on the way to being named all-county, all-metro and all-state her senior year.
“Lauren is an athletic player that will flourish at the college level as she is one of the best high school players to come out of Southern Alabama,” Varga said “I am excited that Lauren chose to stay close to home and play soccer at USA.”
Annie Ormond is a center midfielder form Huntsville, Ala., where she played at Alabama power-house Grissom High School. She was nominated her senior year for the Wendy’s Heisman, while being named all-city during her junior year. In her final year at GHS , Ormond was a member of the state all-academic team and competed in the AHSAA all-star soccer game.
“Annie is comfortable on the ball and not afraid to work hard defensively in the midfield,” Varga said. “She will fit right into our system and I look for great things out of Annie at South Alabama.”
A three-year starter at Mount Horeb High School in Mount Horeb, Wis., forward Kayla Conrad posted 63 goals during her high school career. Conrad led her conference in goals scored with 26 in 2006, while also adding 11 assists. She was named first team all-conference during her senior year and was named team MVP. Conrad was also named all-area honorable mention during her senior year and picked the Jaguars over Austin Peay State and Tennessee-Martin.
“Kayla is a player with a hard work ethic, is a very charismatic leader plays with lots of passion and dedication to her teammates,” MYSC club team head coach Daniel Gonzalez said. “As a forward, defenders have to deal with her speed, she is very good with her back to the goal.”
Christina Kohelis, a center midfielder from Medina, Ohio, chose South Alabama over East Carolina. Kohelis was an Adidas Showcase MVP in 2006 and was a member of the Ohio Olympic Development Team from 2002-04. She competed on the Ohio Premier North club team and the Super-Y League club team, as well.
“Christina is an extremely hard worker who is quite versatile,” head Ohio Premier coach Chris Marsh noted. “She has the ability to score a big goal or go in and play with some speed and control in the midfield.”
A 5’10 stopper from Arlington, Texas, Rylle Pannell chose the Jaguars over UALR, Texas Christian and Arkansas State. She was the team captain her senior season and was a three-year varsity member at Martin High School in Arlington.
“We want to congratulate Rylle for signing her letter of intent with the University of South Alabama and wish her the best at the next level in soccer and in education,” Martin High School head soccer coach Ruth Knight noted.
A first team all-conference member from Cincinnati, Ohio, midfielder Landi Wilson was named all-city honorable mention as a senior at Walnut Hills High School and was a second team all-conference selection during her junior year. During her final two season at Walnut Hills, Wilson produced five goals and nine assists from the midfield and defender position.
“Landi is one of the most exciting players, as she has an arsenal of weapons that she brings to the field,” Walnut Hills head girl’s soccer coach Rod Fielden said. “Landi was the most consistent defender we had the last two years.”
Brandi Smith, a forward from Red Oak, Texas, scored over 100 goals as a three-year varsity member at Red Oak High School. She was a three-time first team all-district member and was also named Red Oak Offensive Player of the Year three times. She is currently competing in her four-year as a varsity member at Red Oak.
“Brandi is an exceptional player who drives our offense. She is talented, hardworking and dedicated,” Red Oak head soccer coach Laurie Norrell noted. “Every team in our district feared and respected her abilities.”
Forward Jasmine Sanders chose South Alabama over Kansas, Arkansas and Alabama. Sanders, was named all-district three times from 2005-2007. She was also named Louisiana All-State and all-region as a junior in 2006 and in ’07. Sanders, was also a member of the Mississippi Fire Club team, as well.
“Jasmine has shown tremendous dedication to the game of soccer by all the travel she and her family have put in just for training,” Varga said. “She has the ability and understanding to play multiple positions at the college level and will be a valuable part of our program the first day she steps on campus.”
On Wednesday South Alabama goalkeeper Ashley Collins from Gulf Breeze High School, finished her high school career with a .46 goals against average. She was also a member of the Birmingham United Soccer Association club team.
“Ashley had some injury issues over past year that had limited her effectiveness, but now that the injuries are behind her, she has shown that she has the ability to be a quality goalkeeper at the Division-I level,” Varga noted “She will work as hard as anyone on the field and in the classroom and she will fit very nicely into our soccer program.”
Grand Prairie, Texas, sweeper Rachael Hess, rounds out the Jaguar signee class. Hess played at James Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas and was a member of the Dallas Sting Club Team.
“Rachael has everything necessary to be one of the top defenders in the Sun Belt as she has speed and can anticipate very well,” Varga said “She also has all of the characteristics of a leader and I think she will not only succeed on the field for us, but she will do very well in the classroom like the rest of the class of 2008.”
Last season the Jaguars finished with a 9-8-3 record and advanced to the Sun Belt Conference tournament in Mobile, Ala.
