Feb. 7, 2007
Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s soccer team has announced its signing class of 2007 for the February signing period. The list includes players from the states of South Carolina, Delaware, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania and features a high school All-American, state player of the year and a Top 200 recruit according to Soccer Buzz.
“We are extremely excited about the incoming class for 2007, ” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We have high expectations for this group of top quality players with the talent, athleticism and commitment they bring with them to the program. They are all eager and ready to begin their collegiate careers on the field for USC, and our staff is truly looking forward to the addition of such a talented and coachable group. The incoming players have had the chance to bond with each other and with our current players over the past year, and have already established a wonderful team chemistry. We are excited to see what they can do when they all come together on the field this fall!”
CURRENT COMMITMENT LIST
Name (Position) -- Hometown/High School -- Club
Alison Bagley (M) -- Mason, Ohio/Mason -- Cincinnati Classics Hammer
Maggie Blackwell (D) -- Marietta, S.C./Travelers Rest -- Carolina Elite Soccer
Brittany Butler (F) -- Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua -- FC Pennsylvania Strikers
Brooke Jacobs (F) -- Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Area -- FC Pennsylvania Striker
Brittiny Rhoades (D/M) -- Wilmington, Del./Padua Academy -- FC Pennsylvania Strikers
Jessica Thomas (D) -- Woodruff HS -- Carolina Elite SoccerHonour Trosper (GK) -- Salisbury, N.C./West Rowan -- FC Carolina Alliance
ALISON BAGLEY
– Two-time All-Conference award winner
– Named to All-Southwest Ohio and Cincinnati All-Star team
– Three-year member of Ohio South ODP State team
– High school captain and MVP
– Three-year varsity letterwinner in soccer and basketball
– National Merit Commended Scholar & Academic All-Southwest
– Member of National Honor Society
– Daughter of Jim and Debbie Bagley
From Coach Smith
“Alison is a strong, physical athlete who has the tools to compete well at the college level. Her strong vision and ability to distribute the ball will be utilized from a central position on the field. She is a very coachable athlete, full of potential.”
MAGGIE BLACKWELL
– Member of three-time state club champion team; CESA (2004-06)
– Played in Region III Premier League from 2004-06
– Member of defense that allowed fewest goals in Region III the past two years in a row (allowed just seven goals in 2005 and six in 2006)
– Served as captain of club soccer teams from 2000-04
– Five-year member of South Carolina ODP State team (2002-06)
– Three-year varsity letterwinner; served as captain on high school team
– Earned three consecutive team MVP honors
– Named to All-Region Peach Blossom AAA team three consecutive seasons
– Also lettered in basketball
– Junior Marshall at high school (Top 10 in class) and a member of National Honor Society and Student Council
– Served as editor of school newspaper; earned senior superlative “Most School Spirit”
– Daughter of Rick and Ann Blackwell
From Coach Smith
Maggie is a strong, physical player, primarily a defender. Aggressive play combined with a good ability to read the game will give her opportunities to compete for a position among our back four. Confident and vocal player, whose leadership style and dominant play in the air will be a great addition on the field.”
BRITTANY BUTLER
– 2005 PSCA Pennsylvania All-State team
– Earned 2005 NSCAA/Adidas Regional HS All-American honors
– Played on 2006 National ODP Champion team
– Five-year member of EPYSA ODP team (2001-06)
– Named to Morning Call All-Area first team two consecutive years
– After her junior season in high school she had scored 71 goals and tallied 42 assists
– Also a four-year letterwinner in basketball; Earned All-League honors
– Brother Brett currently plays soccer at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa.
– Daughter of Jim and Cheryl Butler
Coach Smith on Brittany Butler
“Brittany is a dominating attacking presence on the field. Very good in and around the 18 – dangerous, creative on attack. Great speed combined with a dangerous shooting ability. A true attacking threat – good finishing with her feet or in the air.”
BROOKE JACOBS
– Top 200 national recruit according to Soccer Buzz
– Four-year member of EPYSA ODP team (2003-2006)
– 2006 ODP National Co-Champions
– Played on Region I ODP team in 2006
– Three-year varsity letterwinner (2004-06)
– Two-time NSCAA/Adidas High School Girls All Region-II (2005-06)
– Two-time All-State selection (2005-06)
– Two-time PA Mid-Penn Conference Player of the Year & two-time Public Opinion Player of the Year (2005-06)
– Three-time PA Mid-Penn Conference All-Star team (2004-06), three-time Harrisburg Patriot Big 11 All-Star (2004-06) and three-time Public Opinion All-Star (2004-06)
– Holds high school record for goals in a season; scored 25 with 10 assists her junior year with 24 in her sophomore season and 23 as a freshman
– Also a four-year letterwinner in cross country, where she was a CC District and State medalist
– Member of Varsity Club and Class Council
– Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics Honor Society) member; named to the Honor Roll annually
– Sister Ashley plays soccer at California University of Pennsylvania
– Daughter of Nick and Roxi Ann Jacobs
Coach Smith on Brooke Jacobs
“Brooke has a knack for scoring goals – creates opportunities for herself and others because of her relentless work rate up top. Very good finisher, will compete for time as a forward right away and should continue her scoring prowess at the college level. Another very coachable athlete who will be a true pleasure to work with.”
BRITTINY RHOADES
– Five-year member of Delaware ODP team (2003-07)
– Played on Region ODP team from 2006-07
– Played for FC Pennsylvania Strikers club team; 2006 PDA U-17 champions, 2006 U-17 Jefferson Cup champions; 2006 U-17 Phoenix Presidents Day champions
– Earned NSCAA/Adidas High School All-American honors her junior year and State Player of the Year in Delaware
– Two-time All-State first team selection (2005-06); second team All-State honors as a freshman (2004)
– Three-time All-Conference accolades
– Also lettered in cross country; high school team was state champions her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons
– Freshman and sophomore season was a second team All-State selection in cross country
– Daughter of David and Kristin Rhoades
Coach Smith on Brittiny Rhoades
“Brittiny has outstanding athletic ability with great versatility. A player that you could put anywhere on the field with her strong attacking and defensive capabilities. She has deserved her many accolades and should earn more honors at the collegiate level. Will be a strong option for replacing the loss of last season’s starting senior.”
JESSICA THOMAS
– 2007 Spartanburg Herald & Journal Player of the Year
– 2007 Region II Player of the Year Honors
– Thomas tallied 75 career goals in her four-year high school career with seven goals and 20 assists
– Four-time All-State selection (2004-07)
– Named to 2006 HSSR-SCHSL All-State Girls Elite team
– Earned team MVP honors in 2006
– Three-time member of club state champion team (2004-06)
– Aunt Robbie McPhail (McCrary) lettered in softball at University of South Carolina
– Father has an MEd (1985) and EdD (1998) from the University of South Carolina
– Daughter of Paul L. and Fran M. Thomas
Coach Smith on Jessica Thomas:
“We are excited to see how Jessica develops at this level. She has been a quality player in this state and will add some talent to our defense, where we anticipate her to play.”
HONOUR TROSPER
– Attended SYL ODP National Camp in 2007
– Played on NC Pool ODP team (2001-04); and NC ODP team (2005-06)
– Member of FC Carolina Alliance club team for three years
– Club team was state champion in 2004
– Varsity starting goalkeeper her freshman and sophomore season at high school
– Served as captain and earned team MVP honors her sophomore year
– Two-time All-County, All-Conference and All-Region honors
– Also lettered in track; Member of 4X4 Varsity relay her junior year; indoor track Varsity MVP hurdler
– Daughter of Gary and Sabrina Trosper
From Coach Smith
“Honour is a high quality goalkeeper. Amazing athleticism combined with her bravery make for a potentially top national level goalkeeper. An outstanding work rate and attitude that will be a tremendous addition to our goalkeeping position. Should become a top GK among the SEC.”
