University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women’s Soccer to Honor Senior Class on Friday
10/31/2019 7:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Seniors Karsen Gildea, Jessica Shepherd, Kaitlin Fayard and Jacky Manteas will all be honored for their contributions to the Southern Miss women’s soccer program.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss women's soccer team will bid farewell to its four seniors on Friday afternoon (November 1) when they take on Louisiana Tech at 3:00 p.m. (CT). Seniors Karsen Gildea, Jessica Shepherd, Kaitlin Fayard and Jacky Manteas will all be taking the pitch at the Southern Miss Soccer Complex for the final time during their collegiate careers.
Gildea, a goalkeeper from Ocean Springs, Miss. came to Southern Miss in 2018, after transferring from Pearl River Community College. After completing her sophomore season at PRCC, Gildea had planned to hang up her boots and move on from the sport of soccer but an opportunity to play for Southern Miss, the university that so many of her family members attended, presented itself and she could not pass it up. Her father, Gene played football for the Golden Eagles in the 80s, so following in his footsteps, becoming a Southern Miss student-athlete has been a dream come true for Gildea.
During her two years with the Southern Miss women's soccer program, Gildea has been known for her leadership both on and off the field, excellent work ethic and top notch character. All of these traits that Gildea possesses are what led to her being named the recipient of the Blake Nettles Scholarship in 2018. Gildea has been successful in the classroom as well, having been named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19 academic year.
Gildea on her time at Southern Miss since arriving on campus in 2018
"Giving all my glory to Jesus Christ for my soccer experience here at Southern Miss. Without Him, I would not have been able to have gained these amazing sisters that I will forever call family. I have had such an outstanding experience here at Southern Miss."
Shepherd, a defender/midfielder from Manchester, England landed at Southern Miss in the Spring of 2018 after a two-year stint at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Over the course of her two-year career at Southern Miss, Shepherd had been a key contributor for the Golden Eagles.
The versatility that Shepherd brings to the table by having the ability to play multiple positions has been a tremendous asset for the Golden Eagles. Shepherd played a significant role on the 2018 Southern Miss team that made history by setting multiple program records including: posting 13 wins and 11 shutouts, defeating WKU for the first time in program history, capturing its first semifinal victory in the C-USA Tournament, making it first appearance in the C-USA Tournament Championship Match and turning in the best season that the program has ever seen.
On the campus of Southern Miss, Shepherd is involved in SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) and the Southern Miss Leadership Academy.
Shepherd has been successful in the academic realm as well, earning a spot on the Southern Miss Dean's List in 2018 and the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19 academic year.
Shepherd on her two years as a Golden Eagle
"I was just a kid with a big dream and I am thankful that I got to fulfill my dream here at Southern Miss. Thank you to everyone that has been involved in my soccer journey for the past 17 years; from coaches to teammates and all those that have sat through all types of weather conditions to cheer me on (sorry mum). I will cherish the memories of the beautiful game forever. SMTTT!"
Fayard, a defender and two-time team captain from Mandeville, La. came to Southern Miss as a freshman in the Fall of 2015. Over the course of her time at Southern Miss she has had the opportunity to see the program experience tremendous growth, and will certainly leave it better than she found it.
Although she missed the entire 2018 season due to injury, she was voted a team captain by her teammates due to her leadership, character and work ethic. When the Golden Eagles were on the field making history with each game played during the 2018 season, Fayard could be spotted right there them, doing rehab work on the sidelines prior to games in order to get back on the field for the 2019 season. When her rehab work was done, you could find her in the mix of players on the Golden Eagles' bench, cheering on her teammates.
Fayard's rehab work payed off and she came back to Southern Miss for her fifth year, strong and ready to play. Prior to the 2019 season, she was voted a team captain for the second time in her career by her teammates and she has shown tremendous leadership on and off the field this season. On the field, Fayard is known for her excellent defensive play, toughness and resiliency.
Over the span of her five years at Southern Miss, Fayard has been involved in numerous organizations on campus including: Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the Southern Miss Leadership Academy.
She also earned the prestigious honor of being named a Who's Who Among Students and American Universities and Colleges on the campus of Southern Miss.
Fayard has been successful in the classroom as well, earning a C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal for the 2016-17 academic year and being named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, and the 2015-16 academic years.
Fayard on what the Southern Miss women's soccer program has meant to her the past five years
"I am so grateful to have been a part of this amazing family for five years. I have grown so much, not only as a player, but as a person as well. This program has instilled lifelong values and lessons that I will carry on into life after college. There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am that I was given the opportunity to play the sport I love. I am excited to watch this program thrive in the future! SMTTT!"
Manteas, a defender/midfielder from Bielefeld, Germany joined the Golden Eagles prior to the 2019 season after transferring from FIU. In her first season at Southern Miss, Manteas has meshed well with the rest of the squad and has brought a wealth of experience to the field as a fifth-year player and as a C-USA veteran. On a Southern Miss team that is filled with underclassmen, Manteas' experience has been vital as she has added a veteran presence, helping guide her younger teammates.
Manteas has appeared in all but one match for the Golden Eagles this season and has been counted on to help out in multiple areas with her ability to play in the midfield and on the backline. She is known for being a selfless and resilient player as well as an incredible teammate.
During her time at both FIU and Southern Miss, Manteas has been a model student, earning a spot on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19, 2017-18, and 2015-16 academic years.
Manteas on her time at Southern Miss
"I want to thank everyone at Southern Miss that has made this unbelievable time possible for me. I am proud that I was part of this team. Saying goodbye as an active collegiate player makes me feel a little nostalgic, but I am thankful that college soccer has helped me grow into the person that I am today. I am grateful that the coaching staff has allowed me to play my fifth year and be able to play the sport that I love. I am also grateful to have made 22 new friends who have made me feel at home as soon as I got here. I wish the team and the coaching staff the very best of luck in the future and thanks again for all the memories. Southern Miss will always be special to me!"
Senior Day (Friday, November 1)
For all of the latest Southern Miss soccer news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss soccer Twitter account (@SouthernMissSoc), Instagram account (@southernmisssoccer) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Soccer).
Gildea, a goalkeeper from Ocean Springs, Miss. came to Southern Miss in 2018, after transferring from Pearl River Community College. After completing her sophomore season at PRCC, Gildea had planned to hang up her boots and move on from the sport of soccer but an opportunity to play for Southern Miss, the university that so many of her family members attended, presented itself and she could not pass it up. Her father, Gene played football for the Golden Eagles in the 80s, so following in his footsteps, becoming a Southern Miss student-athlete has been a dream come true for Gildea.
During her two years with the Southern Miss women's soccer program, Gildea has been known for her leadership both on and off the field, excellent work ethic and top notch character. All of these traits that Gildea possesses are what led to her being named the recipient of the Blake Nettles Scholarship in 2018. Gildea has been successful in the classroom as well, having been named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19 academic year.
Gildea on her time at Southern Miss since arriving on campus in 2018
"Giving all my glory to Jesus Christ for my soccer experience here at Southern Miss. Without Him, I would not have been able to have gained these amazing sisters that I will forever call family. I have had such an outstanding experience here at Southern Miss."
Shepherd, a defender/midfielder from Manchester, England landed at Southern Miss in the Spring of 2018 after a two-year stint at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Over the course of her two-year career at Southern Miss, Shepherd had been a key contributor for the Golden Eagles.
The versatility that Shepherd brings to the table by having the ability to play multiple positions has been a tremendous asset for the Golden Eagles. Shepherd played a significant role on the 2018 Southern Miss team that made history by setting multiple program records including: posting 13 wins and 11 shutouts, defeating WKU for the first time in program history, capturing its first semifinal victory in the C-USA Tournament, making it first appearance in the C-USA Tournament Championship Match and turning in the best season that the program has ever seen.
On the campus of Southern Miss, Shepherd is involved in SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) and the Southern Miss Leadership Academy.
Shepherd has been successful in the academic realm as well, earning a spot on the Southern Miss Dean's List in 2018 and the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19 academic year.
Shepherd on her two years as a Golden Eagle
"I was just a kid with a big dream and I am thankful that I got to fulfill my dream here at Southern Miss. Thank you to everyone that has been involved in my soccer journey for the past 17 years; from coaches to teammates and all those that have sat through all types of weather conditions to cheer me on (sorry mum). I will cherish the memories of the beautiful game forever. SMTTT!"
Fayard, a defender and two-time team captain from Mandeville, La. came to Southern Miss as a freshman in the Fall of 2015. Over the course of her time at Southern Miss she has had the opportunity to see the program experience tremendous growth, and will certainly leave it better than she found it.
Although she missed the entire 2018 season due to injury, she was voted a team captain by her teammates due to her leadership, character and work ethic. When the Golden Eagles were on the field making history with each game played during the 2018 season, Fayard could be spotted right there them, doing rehab work on the sidelines prior to games in order to get back on the field for the 2019 season. When her rehab work was done, you could find her in the mix of players on the Golden Eagles' bench, cheering on her teammates.
Fayard's rehab work payed off and she came back to Southern Miss for her fifth year, strong and ready to play. Prior to the 2019 season, she was voted a team captain for the second time in her career by her teammates and she has shown tremendous leadership on and off the field this season. On the field, Fayard is known for her excellent defensive play, toughness and resiliency.
Over the span of her five years at Southern Miss, Fayard has been involved in numerous organizations on campus including: Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the Southern Miss Leadership Academy.
She also earned the prestigious honor of being named a Who's Who Among Students and American Universities and Colleges on the campus of Southern Miss.
Fayard has been successful in the classroom as well, earning a C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal for the 2016-17 academic year and being named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, and the 2015-16 academic years.
Fayard on what the Southern Miss women's soccer program has meant to her the past five years
"I am so grateful to have been a part of this amazing family for five years. I have grown so much, not only as a player, but as a person as well. This program has instilled lifelong values and lessons that I will carry on into life after college. There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am that I was given the opportunity to play the sport I love. I am excited to watch this program thrive in the future! SMTTT!"
Manteas, a defender/midfielder from Bielefeld, Germany joined the Golden Eagles prior to the 2019 season after transferring from FIU. In her first season at Southern Miss, Manteas has meshed well with the rest of the squad and has brought a wealth of experience to the field as a fifth-year player and as a C-USA veteran. On a Southern Miss team that is filled with underclassmen, Manteas' experience has been vital as she has added a veteran presence, helping guide her younger teammates.
Manteas has appeared in all but one match for the Golden Eagles this season and has been counted on to help out in multiple areas with her ability to play in the midfield and on the backline. She is known for being a selfless and resilient player as well as an incredible teammate.
During her time at both FIU and Southern Miss, Manteas has been a model student, earning a spot on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2018-19, 2017-18, and 2015-16 academic years.
Manteas on her time at Southern Miss
"I want to thank everyone at Southern Miss that has made this unbelievable time possible for me. I am proud that I was part of this team. Saying goodbye as an active collegiate player makes me feel a little nostalgic, but I am thankful that college soccer has helped me grow into the person that I am today. I am grateful that the coaching staff has allowed me to play my fifth year and be able to play the sport that I love. I am also grateful to have made 22 new friends who have made me feel at home as soon as I got here. I wish the team and the coaching staff the very best of luck in the future and thanks again for all the memories. Southern Miss will always be special to me!"
Senior Day (Friday, November 1)
- Each member of the senior class will be recognized after the conclusion of Southern Miss' match against Louisiana Tech.
- In addition to Senior Day, Friday's match will also be a Gold Out (all Southern Miss fans are encouraged to wear gold to the match).
For all of the latest Southern Miss soccer news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss soccer Twitter account (@SouthernMissSoc), Instagram account (@southernmisssoccer) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Soccer).
Players Mentioned
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