University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Announces 2010 Recruiting Class
2/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 4, 2010
Southern Miss head soccer coach Scott Ebke announced today the addition of 11 players who have signed their national letters of intent/grant in aid to join the Golden Eagle soccer program in 2010.
Among the signees included in Coach Ebke's second recruiting class at the helm of the Golden Eagles are two players from Mississippi staying in-state, Mischa Tice (Bay St. Louis, Miss.) and Hanna Weathersby (Madison, Miss.)
Ebke will also bring in four players out of the state of Louisiana including Danielle Beatty (Mandeville, La.), Kimberly Belmont (Covington, La.), Chelsea Cruthirds (Sorrento, La.) and Shelbi Moeller (New Roads, La.)
Also joining the Golden Eagles are two Canadian players in Natasha Lombardo (Calgary, Alberta) and Tara Nay (Sherwood Park, Alberta).
Rounding out the 2010 class are three other signees from the southeastern US in Jessica Bartlett (Indianlantic, Florida), Chanel Elgin (Daphne, Ala.) and Missy Wentz (Katy, Texas).
Head Coach Scott Ebke on the 2010 Recruiting Class:
"We are very excited to announce our 2010 recruiting class. This class possesses all the attributes that we are looking for in building the Southern Miss soccer program. We have added players at every position which will translate into a more competitive training environment in the fall. We have had the opportunity to coach each of these players both at our Southern Miss Soccer Camps and through the Mississippi Olympic Development Program, so it gave us a great understanding of each of their desires to want to be the best. Along with being talented in the classroom, each of these young ladies will represent Southern Miss Athletics to the fullest. We are thrilled to welcome the class of 2010 and their families to the Golden Eagle soccer family."
| 2010 Southern Miss Soccer Signees | ||||
| Signee | Ht. | Pos. | Hometown | Previous School |
| Jessica Bartlett | 5'4" | Defender | Indialantic, Florida | Melbourne High School |
| Danielle Beatty | 5'7" | Midfield/Forward | Mandeville, Louisiana | Saint Scholastica Academy |
| Kimberly Belmont | 5'4" | Midfield/Forward | Covington, Louisiana | Saint Scholastica Academy |
| Chelsea Cruthirds | 5'6" | Forward | Sorrento, Louisiana | Dutchtown High School |
| Chanel Elgin | 5'10" | Forward | Daphne, Alabama | Daphne High School |
| Natasha Lombardo | 5'5" | Defender | Calgary, Alberta | Saint Francis High School |
| Shelbi Moeller | 5'6" | Defender | New Roads, Louisiana | Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee |
| Tara Nay | 5'6" | Defender | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Archbishop Jordan High School |
| Mischa Tice | 5'5" | Forward | Bay St. Louis, Miss. | Our Lady Academy |
| Hanna Weathersby | 5'7" | Goalkeeper | Madison, Mississippi | Madison Central High School |
| Missy Wentz | 5'6" | Midfield | Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch High School |
 | Jessica Bartlett • 5'4" • Defender Indialantic, Florida • Melbourne High School |
Four year starter for Melbourne High School and team captain as a senior... Florida Today All Space Coast First Team Girls Soccer ('08)...FHSAA Marines Honor, Courage, Commitment Award (08)...Cape Coast Conference All Conference Team Girls Soccer ('08)...Defensive Player of the Year (08)...Freshman Rookie of the Year (07) ... State Champions 2009, Final four 2008...Three-time Coast Champions...Five-time District Champions... Two- time regional champs...played for coaches: Rosanna and Mike Lord
Club
Played for the U18 Space Coast United club team and coach Fidgi Haig... Which finished in final four in 2009...2007 FYSA ODP '91 State Team
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because it seemed like the perfect fit; it had everything I was looking for in both academics and athletics. It is a school I feel like I have a chance to make an impact at."
| Danielle Beatty • 5'7" • Midfielder Mandeville, La • St. Scholastica Academy |
Three-time all-state selection... First team all-state in 2009...Second team all- state 2008 and 2007...Three-time all-district selection 2009-07... Team captain 2009-10...Offensive MVP 2008-09 ... State champions 2009 and 2007...State semi- finalist 2008... played for head Coach Mike Ortner
Club
Played Mandeville Soccer Club 2002-07 and the Baton Rouge soccer club 07-10 for Coach Marvin Smith... Played for the LA ODP Region III state team 2006-09
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because when I visited the school I loved the campus and the soccer team. I also felt that this is the place where I would be able to enjoy my four years of college the most."
| Kimberly Belmont • 5'4" • Midfielder Covington, LA • Saint Scholastica Academy |
Second-team all-state selection from Saint Scholastica Academy... State Champions 2007 and 2009 ... First team all-district...All-Saint Tammany Parish team in 2007...Varsity MVP 2008 ...played for Coach Mike Ortner
Club
Played for the Baton Rouge Soccer Club 2008-10, Mandeville Soccer Club 2002-08...Two-time state champions...Three-time State Runner-Up...Mandeville Soccer Club Premier Player Of The Year ...Team Captain 2004-2007 ...Region III Regional Premier League...played for coach Marvin Smith...Louisiana State ODP team 91 ... Captain LA State Team 2006-07 ... Participated in Region III Pool Game 2006
Why Southern Miss
"The camaraderie I felt among the players and coaches made it the perfect school for me. I am looking forward to developing my skills on and off the field as a college athlete and student. Southern Miss just feels RIGHT!"
| Chelsea Cruthirds • 5'6" • Forward Dutchtown, La • Dutchtown High School |
Three-time all-state selection from Dutchtown High School...Three-time first team all-district selection...three-time all-parish selection...two-time district MVP...two-time parish MVP...Ascension Parish Freshman of the Year...Three-time Baton Rouge all-metro selection...2008 Baton Rouge all-metro MVP...2009 Baton Rouge all-metro offensive MVP...2008 Baton Rouge Advocate soccer Player of the Year...two-time team captain and school MVP... Became the first female soccer player to reach 100 career goals in school history...scored 134 career goals...played for Coach Anant Vyas
Club
Played for the Baton Rouge Soccer Club team...Region III Premier League leading scorer in 2007...five-time Louisiana State Champions 2004 -06 and 2008- 09 ...2007 Louisiana state runners-up...2007-08 Region III Premier League champions... Three-time region III Southern Regional Championships ...2007 Gothia Cup finalist (Gothenburg, Sweden)... played for coach Marvin Smith ...Played for the Louisiana ODP team from 2006-08
Why Southern Miss
"As soon as I stepped foot onto the Southern Miss campus it felt like home, and after meeting the coaches and my future teammates my decision was easy. I can't wait to join the Southern Miss family and look forward to being part of a successful Golden Eagle soccer program."
| Chanel Elgin • 5'10" • Forward Daphne, AL • Daphne High School |
All-County, All Metro and All State selection from Daphne High School... Battle of the Bay all-star game participant...MVP of the Battle of the Bay all-star game, Alabama-Mississippi all-star game participant...Alabama junior all-star game participant...Daphne High School Golden Boot Award...played for Coach Rick Andrews
Club
Played for the ESC 92 Black (Edmond, OK) Club team, Hurricane 92 Shubert (Tulsa, OK) club team, BUSA 92 Elite (Birmingham, AL) club team and the Dallas Texans 92 Florida (Pensacola, FL) club team. Played for coach David Kemp...Oklahoma ODP Selection
Why Southern Miss
"I choose Southern Miss because it just seemed like the right fit for me both academically and athletically. After going to their summer camp, I knew I wanted to be a part of turning Southern Miss Women's Soccer into Conference USA Champions!"
| Natasha Lombardo • 5'5" • Defender Calgary, Alberta, Canada • St.Francis High School |
Played for Coaches Frank Posca and Mario Morretti at Saint Francis High School ...2009 Division I city champions...2008 Division II silver medalist
Club
Played for the Foothills United 92's club team...2009 City Champions ...2009 Provincial Champions gold medalists...Selected MVP of the tournament... National Champions gold medalists ...Played for Coaches Colin Mackay and Frank Posca ...Canadian National Program Participant... Alberta Soccer Program participant for the last four years ... Canadian National Training Pool Participant
Why Southern Miss
"Environment, coaching staff and teammates were all attributes of which drew me into Southern Mississippi. When I was younger, I always envisioned myself and dreamt of attending a University that made me feel right at home. Southern Miss was that perfect school and I am looking forward to the many years to come.
| Shelbi Moeller • 5'6" • Defender New Roads, La. • Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee |
Varsity starter since seventh grade at Catholic High School of Pointe Coupe...2 time District Champs...Two time-all state selection...Five-time all-district selection...Four-time all-metro Baton Rouge selection ...Two-time district MVP...Two-time District defensive MVP...Three-time CHSPC Defensive MVP...2009 team captain ... Played for Coach Peter Goodman
Club
Played for the Baton Rouge Soccer Club team... Five- time State Champions... Silver Medal Winner at the Gothia World Cup in Sweden ...Played for Coach Marvin Smith...
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because after my visit, I loved the coaches, players and the school. I felt is was a good fit for me."
| Tara Nay • 5'6" • Defender Sherwood Park, AB, Canada • Archbishop Jordan High School |
Four year starter on the senior soccer team at Archbishop Jordan High School...City champions...Two-time team captain selection ...Played for coaches Andrea Jennings and Phil Nay
Club
Played for the Edmonton XFC youth club team...Five-time Provincial champions...Two-time national qualifier... Named Most Valuable Defender...Played for the Northwest United club team, premier and major league divisions ...Played for Coaches Ian Diaz, Dave Vriens and Dean Cordeiro...Participated in the National Training Centre and the Canada Summer Games (Victoria Camp)... Team Alberta Provincial member for two years...Provincial training member four years.
Why Southern Miss
"After discovering soccer at a very young age I set high goals for myself so that I could achieve a successful future. Although it was difficult being a Canadian player, I knew that I eventually wanted to further my career and play in the United States. I talked with staff from different schools but after meeting the coaches at the University of Southern Mississippi my choice became obvious. The atmosphere is comforting and the school spirit portrayed by all people in the community continues to amaze me. The coaches have a positive attitude and always work hard to achieve success. Aside from this, the campus feels safe and secure and the team members are all very welcoming. Southern Miss. is also one of the only schools that offers speech pathology, which I will be taking next year. Although Southern Miss. is a far ways from home, I am truly excited for my opportunity to attend."
| Mischa Tice • 5'5" • Forward Bay Saint Louis, Miss. • Our Lady Academy |
All district team selection out of Our Lady Academy...2007 State Champions...three-time state champions runner up...four-time south state champions...2009 Gulf Coast Player of the year...Played for Coach Christi Elias...
Club
Played for the Gulf Coast United Futbol Club Teams...2008 State Champions...2009 State champions runner up...2008 Regional tournament participant...played for Coach Chris Pryor...Five-time Mississippi '92 ODP team (2005-09)
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because the social aspects of this school are great. It is in a great location and it attracts fabulous students and athletes. It seems to be the perfect school for me."
| Hanna Weathersby • 5'7" • Goalkeeper Madison, Miss. • Madison Central High School |
Four-year starter from Madison Central High School...2008 North State Champions... 2009 Class 5A State Champions... two-time all-state selection...played for coach Matt Woods...allowed only five goals the entire 2009 state championship season...did not allow a goal in the entire 2009 state playoffs.
Club
Played for the Chicago Fire Juniors of Mississippi '92 club team and coach Michael McGeown...Played for the Mississippi State team 2005-09 ...Participated in Region III ODP camps.
Why Southern Miss
"It just felt right from the beginning. I just knew USM was right for me. The coaches and players are just so awesome. They really made me feel right at home. I can't wait to see what the next four years has in store for me. I am so glad that I will be spending those four years at Southern Miss!"
| Missy Wentz • 5'6" • Midfielder Katy, TX • Cinco Ranch High School |
Four-year starter at Cinco Ranch High School...scored 33 career goals and tallied 41 assist in her career...Three-time all-district selection...two-time district champions...2009 Region III semi-finalist...Played for Coach Fredy Sanguinetti
Club Played for the Albion Hurricanes FC92 Blue club team...three-time region III premier league west ...played for coaches Steve Firth and Mark Horton... played on the South Texas ODP State Team 2006-09...Three-time Region III ODP Camp participant.
Why Southern Miss
"The reason why I chose Southern Mississippi was because on my first visit to the University, everyone I met was so friendly and it was such a beautiful campus. Both Coach Scott and Coach Jennie showed so much excitement and energy about the soccer program, it made me feel like this would be a great place to play and get a college education. On my official visit, I got to meet the other soccer recruits and the girls already on the team and knew that I wanted to experience the next four years of my life here!!"
