AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken, in conjunction with head women's soccer coach Hilary George, is pleased to announce the addition of 11 student-athletes for the upcoming 2019 season.

Madi Banks, Erika Bateman, Raegan Buchanan, Paige D'Agostin, Georgia Fisher, Jordan Gruber, Lindsay Larisa, Mia Maupin, Reese McCormick, Georgia Moss and Marianne Ross will continue their athletic and academic careers at USC Aiken beginning in the fall of 2019.

Banks is a 5-7 goalkeeper from Queenstown, Md. A standout at Kent Island H.S., Banks was an all-state honoree as a junior. An all-star selection as a senior, she stopped 119 shots over the last two years and set the school record with nine shutouts as a senior.

"Madi's athleticism and reflexes are outstanding," George said. "She has the ability to relax her teammates, allowing them to play more freely. Madi is a great addition to our goalkeeping group – and perhaps helping make it the best group we have had here in sometime."

Bateman is a 5-5 defender from Greenville, S.C. The Mauldin H.S., product led her school to a pair of region titles. A three-year letterwinner, Bateman guided her squad to the Crescent Cup Tournament Championship and helped her club team to a pair of State Cup Final Four appearances.

"Erika brings an athleticism and tenacity to our program that makes her an ideal defender," George stated. "Her soccer IQ and relentlessness are a combination that makes her dangerous in the attack as well as successful as a defender. Erika's competitive attitude is infectious and will help to raise the competitive spirit of our team." 
 
Buchanan is a 5-2 midfielder from Kings Mountain, N.C. The standout attended Kings Mountain H.S., and led the team to three conference championships. A two-time all-region and all-conference honoree, Buchanan was also a two-time state team selection for the Virginia sub-regional tournament.

"Raegan is an athletic and fearless player," George said. "She has played a range of positions from Center Back to Forward. Raegan brings a versatility to the table that will make her a very valuable team mate. Her willingness to play where needed is indicative of her selfless attitude that will help make us successful."  

D'Agostin is a 5-6 midfielder from Morrisville, N.C. The Panther Creek H.S., product tallied nine goals during her first two seasons on the varsity. She guided her club team to the NC Kepner President's Cup as a sophomore and to the finals as a junior. D'Agostin also led her team to the NCYSA State Cup as a freshman.

"Paige is as talented off the ball as she is on the ball," George stated. "Her technical prowess and ability to see the next pass before the play develops makes her a very dangerous player. Her ability to find the game and support the ball in possession will help to create excellent scoring opportunities for our team."

Fisher is a 5-7 defender from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The standout attended Frank J. Hayden S.S., registering 32 assists and three goals through her first three years on the team. She led her squad to the HSSAA region finals twice and helped her team to the OFSAA silver medals as a junior. Fisher was a two-sport student-athlete who also excelled in field hockey.

"Georgia is an intelligent center back," George said. "She plays simple and has a knack for picking out the right option when in possession. Her positional understanding makes her a valuable defensive asset that will help make our back line stronger."

Gruber is a 5-3 forward from Charleston, S.C. The Academic Magnet H.S., product led her team to a pair of state titles. The all-state honoree tallied 22 goals and 14 assists as a sophomore before tallying 12 goals and nine assists her junior campaign. Gruber led her club team to a state championship and a berth in the regional tournament.

"Jourdan is a speedy outside forward that can stretch opposing back lines," George stated. "Her competitive nature also makes her excellent at pressing opposing defenders into mistakes. Jourdan's high work rate will be very difficult for opposing players to match."  

Larisa is a 5-6 midfielder from Harmony, Fla. The standout attended Harmony H.S. There, she was a three-time all-county selection. During her first two years, Larisa totaled 32 goals and 17 assists. She led her team to three OBC Championships and two district titles while guiding the squad to a pair of regional semifinal appearances.

"Lindsay possesses the characteristics we are looking for in a holding center mid," George said. "She is an ultra-competitive ball winner, physical and possesses a high soccer IQ. Her ability to break the opposing team's lines with one pass is remarkable." 

Maupin is a 5-3 forward from Monticello, Ill. The Monticello H.S. product was a three-time all-area selection. She picked up all-conference and all-section accolades. Maupin set the single-season school record with 28 goals.

"Mia's speed and ability to finish excellent," George stated. "She is an intelligent forward that has the ability to be in the right place at the right time. Her 'do what it takes to be the best' attitude is a quality that really excites us."  

McCormick is a 5-7 goalkeeper from Kernersville, N.C. The Wesleyan Christian Academy standout guided her team to the state quarterfinals as a junior. She helped her team to the conference championship and also a berth in the state playoffs as a sophomore. The all-conference honoree led her club team to the LNSC Championship as a sophomore.

"Reese is a polished and technical goalkeeper," George said. "Reese is a phenomenal shot stopper but is not a one-dimensional goalkeeper. Her ability to organize and lead from the penalty area is an intangible that really excites us. Reese will definitely help solidify the goalkeeping position."

Moss is a 5-6 defender from Kings Mountain, N.C. The standout from Kings Mountain H.S. was a two-time all-region and all-conference selection. Moss, a scholar-athlete award winner, posted 22 assists and found the back of the net three times in club ball.   

"Georgia is an unassuming player that gets the job done, "George stated. "She is smart as well as tenacious. In addition to her versatility, Georgia's coachability is her greatest ability and will allow for flexibility in game planning." 

Ross is a 5-2 midfielder from Greenville, S.C. The standout from Riverside H.S. was an all-region honoree. She led her team in assists on three occasions. The three-year starter also played club ball for Carolina Elite Soccer Academy.

"Marianne is clever and skilled attacking center mid," George said. "She possesses the ability to make the final pass and put the ball in the back of the net. Marianne is a dangerous addition to our mid field group and a great addition to our program."