WILMINGTON, North Carolina – A group of 12 high school standouts, including four performers from North Carolina, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend UNCW and play for Head Coach
Paul Cairney and the women's soccer team in 2017.
Cassidy Boyes of Bristow, Va.,
GiGi Foster of Falls Church, Va.,
Audrey Harding of Akron, Ohio,
Tara Pak of Delray Beach, Fla.,
Francine Phillips of Potomac, Md.,
Sydney Schneider of Dayton, N.J.,
Dixon Veltri of Pittsburgh, Pa., and
Marissa Vincent of Columbia, Md., will join state recruits
Grace Bondurant of Garner, N.C.,
Grace Lynn-Lato of Waxhaw, N.C.,
Molly McGarry of Charlotte, N.C., and
Grace Pilcher of Charlotte, N.C., as members of the Seahawks' incoming class.
"We have graduated 20 players over the past two seasons, so it is quite logical our 2017 class will be significant in number," said Cairney, who enters his 22nd season at the helm next fall. "To have had so many seniors graduate is a testament to the retention rate of our program. It also shows we have the ability to develop players during their time at UNCW.
"This 2017 class is the result of three years of hard work and we do believe it is a varied and talented group with every position on the field represented. With these new players, we have added competition, which makes any organization stronger. Our current team is in great shape right now and we are working very hard to nurture and improve our championship culture.
"We will be in somewhat of a rebuilding phase in 2017," Cairney continued. "After making the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and posting another top-four finish in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2016, the loss of our juniors and seniors will be a challenge. However, it will be a good challenge for our young team in 2017."
2017 UNCW Women's Soccer Recruits
Grace Bondurant
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Garner, N.C.
High School: Cleveland
Club Team: TFC Alliance
Highlights: Three-time All-Conference selection for Cleveland High School who earned All-Region notice as a junior … has scored 55 goals with 39 assists in scholastic career … participated in Disney Showcase, CASL Showcase, Jefferson Cup, TFCA Friendly's, Southern Soccer Showcase and WAGS Showcase events with club team … also competed on high school indoor track and field and cross country teams.
Cassidy Boyes
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Bristow, Va.
High School: Patriot
Club Team: PWSI 98/99 NPL
Highlights: Three-year All-Conference selection who earned First-Team honors as a junior and senior … holds school record for career saves (165) and save percentage (.771) …two-time All-Region selection, including Second-Team distinction as a junior … named to Virginia State ODP team in 2014 … member of ODP State International Team in 2015 … selected as Conference 8 Goalkeeper-of-the-Year as a senior … competed in CASL, Jefferson Cup, NPL Showcase and PDA for club team … two-sport athlete who also competed on track and field team.
GiGi Foster
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Falls Church, Va.
High School: Bishop O'Connell
Club Team: Loudoun Soccer Club
Highlights: First-Team All-Met and All-WCAC selection who scored five goals with 14 assists … named as Bishop O'Connell Team MVP … tallied four goals with 10 assists during recent season with Loudoun Soccer Club … participated in WAGS Showcase, CASL Showcase, Bethesda Showcase, CCL Showcase and Disney Showcase events with club team.
Audrey Harding
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
High School: Revere
Club Team: Ohio Premier ECNL
Highlights: Three-time First-Team All-State selection at Revere High School … two-time All-Suburban League pick … also garnered Suburban League Player-of-the-Year honors … named all-region and all-America by NSCAA … two-time Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … participated in Sanford ECNL Showcase, New Jersey ECNL Showcase and ECNL Nationals events with club team … competed on high school track and field team as a freshman.
Grace Lynn-Lato
Position: Defender
Hometown: Waxhaw, N.C.
High School: Marvin Ridge
Club Team: Carolina Rapids
Highlights: Four-year letter winner at Marvin Ridge who earned all-conference and All-Region notice as a junior … scored 11 goals with 10 assists during junior season … honored with Coach's Award as a freshman … tallied two goals with eight assists for Carolina Rapids club team in 2016 … participated in Surf Cup, Seattle ECNL Nationals, U.S. Soccer Nationals, PDA Showcase, CASL ECNL Showcase, Sanford ECNL Showcase, Phoenix ECNL Showcase and Disney Showcase events with Carolina Rapids.
Molly McGarry
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Providence
Club Team: Carolina Rapids
Highlights: Two-year team captain for Providence High School who earned All-Conference, All-Region and All-State notice as a junior … named as MVP at 2016 NCHSSA State Finals … scored 19 goals with 8 assists as a junior … named as MVP at 2016 USYS National Championships with club team … selected to 2015 IMG Top 150 team … participated in Sanford Showcase, Seattle Showcase, Disney Showcase, Wilson NC Showcase, CASL Showcase, Phoenix Showcase and PDA Showcase events with Carolina Rapids.
Tara Pak
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Delray Beach, Fla.
High School: American Heritage School Boca/Delray
Club Team: Boca United FC
Highlights: Two-year team captain who earned First-Team all-county notice … five-year letter winner at American Heritage School … helped high school team to 2013 Class 2A state title in addition to state finalist honors in 2014 … scored 14 goals with 6 assists as a senior … competed at ECNL, Disney Showcase, Surf Cup and PDL events for club team … also competed on high school's volleyball team for two years.
Francine Phillips
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Potomac, Md.
High School: Winston Churchill
Club Team: Bethesda Soccer Club
Highlights: First-Team All-State and All-Met selection at Winston Churchill after scoring five goals during senior season … helped high school team post 10-2-2 record as a senior … earned NSCAA All-America recognition … competed at CASL Showcase, Sanford Showcase, San Diego Showcase and NC Showcase events for club team.
Grace Pilcher
Position: Defender
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Ardrey Kell
Club Team: Charlotte Soccer Academy
Highlights: Scored eight goals with three assists as a junior at Ardrey Kell en route to earning all-conference honors … named as Newcomer-of-the-Year as a sophomore after transferring from A.C. Flora High School … regionally-ranked player in South Atlantic Region by Top Drawer Soccer … participated in Phoenix Showcase, PDA Showcase, Sanford Showcase and Seattle National Playoffs events for club team.
Sydney Schneider
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Dayton, N.J.
High School: South Brunswick
Club Team: Match Fit Academy
Highlights: All-County, All-division and All-State selection at South Brunswick High School … participated in San Diego ECNL Championships with club team … three-year letter winner for high school track and field team.
Dixon Veltri
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School: Fox Chapel Area
Club Team: Beadling Soccer Club
Highlights: Four-year starter at Fox Chapel Area High School who earned All-WPIAL honors twice … two-time First-Team All-Section honoree as a junior and senior … named to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Top 12 All-Area Team as a senior … received Big 56 First-Team All-Section Award in 2016 … scored 16 goals with 21 assists during senior season … named as Fox Chapel Team MVP as a senior … enjoyed success with Beadling Soccer Club … won State Cup title three times … member of Region One championship teams in 2015 and 2016 … also competed at U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in addition to National League CASL, Vegas Events, Disney Showcase and Jefferson Cup … four-year letter winner on Fox Chapel Area's diving and track and field teams … also competed on gymnastics team for three years.
Marissa Vincent
Position: Defender
Hometown: Columbia, Md.
High School: McDonogh School
Club Team: Maryland United FC ECNL
Highlights: Two-time First-Team All-State selection for McDonogh School … earned Second-Team All-Metro notice by Baltimore Sun as a junior and senior … two-time all-conference selection … served as team captain as a senior … member of three IAAM "A" Conference championship teams … helped club team win 2014 ECNL North American League National Championship … served as a team captain for club team … also competed on McDonogh's basketball and track and field teams.
