University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Soccer Team Signs Five for 2008 Season
2/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 14, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The University of Southern Miss soccer team signed five players in the spring signing period to join the team in the fall semester and compete in the 2008 season.
The class includes two defenders, two forwards and a goal keeper. These players will look to add to the over depth of the Lady Eagle soccer program that is already returning 20 players from the 2007 quad, including nine starters from last season.
"I am excited about the girls this we are bring in this year," head coach Gail Macklin said. "Most of these girls are semi-local which is always a good thing for our program, they are all just a few hours away at most. I like to bring in players that will make the squad stronger every year and feel like we have done that with this class."
Amy Davis is a defender from Vestavia Hills, Ala. She played on two Alabama state championships teams in 2005 and 2007 at Vestavia Hills High for coach Brigid Littleton. She is a three-time member (2005-07) of the Birmingham News All-State team and the Birmingham News All-Metro team. Played for the Birmingham United Angels '90 club team where she was a three-time state champion (2005-07) and the 2007 Region III champions.
Davis also played for the State of Alabama Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2002-06. While at Vestavia Hills high school she also played basketball in 2005-06.
"Amy can play almost anywhere on the back line and could even slide to the midfield for us if needed," Macklin said. "I like her versatility on the field and she has played for very successful high school and club teams, so we are excited any time you can get a player that knows how to win."
Jordan Gauthier is the second defender in this years signing class. She is a left-footed defender out of Lafayette, La who prepped at St. Thomas Moore high school for coach John Fell. While at St. Thomas Moore she has been a three-time all-district, two-time all-state and two-time all-acadiana selections. She was a member of the Louisiana state championship team in the 2005-06 season as a sophomore and played in the state semi-finals as a freshman (2004-05) and a junior (2006-07).
Gauthier played for the Cajun Soccer Club Team and won the U-17 state championship and the U-14 state runner-up. She also participated in the Regional ODP camp. She plans to major in Kinesiotherapy at Southern Miss.
"Jordan is a tremendous left back, that understands the game very well," Macklin said. "She has great speed and composure on the field. We are really expecting big things from her at Southern Miss."
Rebecca Masters is a forward from Ellisville, Miss. who prepped at Presbyterian Christian High School for coach Brandi Re. While at PCHS she was selected to the MPSA All-Star Team in 2007-08 and was an all-conference performer four times from 2008-08.
She played for the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association club team where she was a two-time state runner-up. Masters also competed in basketball and track at PCHS. In basketball she was a four-time all-district player and her team won three consecutive state championships from 2005-07. In track and field she is a five -time Mississippi state champion; 400 meters (2004), 200 meters (2006), long jump (2006) and the 4 x 400 relay team (2006 & 07).
In addition to her athletic accomplishment she carries a perfect 4.0 GPA and scored a 29 on her ACT.
"She really brings speed to the table and has a great work rate in everything she does both athletically and academically. Once she adjusts to playing NCAA soccer she will have a bright future," Macklin added.
Elisha Tarbell is a forward/midfielder from Fontainebleau high school in Mandeville, La., where she was a four year starter for coach Carly Hotard and coach Rusty Brauner. While at Fontainebleau she was named the Female Athlete of the Year (2006), scored 96 career goals (24 as a senior, 26 as a junior, 27 as a sophomore and 19 as a freshman) and helped lead her team to four consecutive 5A state playoffs.
She was named division-one all-state twice (2006 and 07), first-team all-district twice (2006 and 07), division-one all-freshman team (2005) and all-district honorable mention (2005).
Tarbell played for the Mandeville Lakers U18 Premier Club Team for coach Nich Chetta, where she has played since U11. She also played for the ODP 90 state team from 2003-07.
She earned three letters in track at Fontainebleau where she set the school record in the 800 meters and was the district 5A state runner-up. In track she earned all-district and all-metro honors in 2006. She carries a 3.8 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society, National Hispanic Honor Society and Vice-President of the Key Club.
"Elisha has a tremendous work rate and a great pace about her. That will be a big key for her when she gets to Southern Miss to help her take the next step to play at a higher level," Macklin added
The Golden Eagles also added on keeper in the 2008 signing class, Hannah Vanderboegh, from Pinson, Ala. After transferring to Pinson Valley High for her junior season she played for coach Erin DeArmin and was a all-state selection, all-metro team selection, two-year team captain, team MVP and most valuable defensive player.
She also played for the BUSA Angels 90 Club team for coach Eric Dade, that team was ranked in the top-10 nationally and won the Region 3 Premier League Central back-to-back years and the Alabama State Cup Championship in 2007& 08
"Hannah is a goalkeeper that has just gotten better and better every year, she played keeper on a great club team that won a lot of games," Macklin said. "She should benefit greatly from being around our current experienced keepers and be ready to contribute after learning to play at this level."
The Lady Eagles will open the 2008 spring season February 23rd at the second annual 7 v. 7 tournament presented by the Catholic Student Organization.
