Women's Soccer | December 07, 2020
AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken, in conjunction with interim head women's soccer coach
Hank Deer, is pleased to announce the signing of 10 student-athletes for the 2021 season.
"The 2021 class is one of the most talented and largest classes we have signed in my time at USC Aiken," Deer said. "It is an athletic, competitive and hard-working group. Their talent and competitive spirit are rivaled only by their character."
Alison Barczak, Bruna Cavaliere, Mackenzie Cochrane, Nia Collins, Reagan Leonard, Georgia Martell, Kaydence Moore, Ali Samaha, McKenna Sauers and Vivian Vanderbilt will continue their athletic and academic careers at USC Aiken beginning in the fall of 2021.
Barczak is a 5-7 goalkeeper from Apex, N.C. The Cardinal Gibbons H.S. product helped her club team to the USYS State Cup/Presidents Cup championships. She tied for second in goals against average in the NCYSA U16 Premier Division and led the U17 Premier Division in goals against average.
Cavaliere is a 5-2 midfielder from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is a transfer from Iowa Western C.C. Cavaliere accounted for a pair of goals and four assists at Seminole State College.
Cochrane is a 6-2 defender from Surfside Beach, S.C. The St. James H.S. attendee was the 2019 VISAA State Player of the Year. She helped guide her team to a pair of state championships in soccer and one in basketball. Cochrane garnered all-state accolades in both sports while attending Highland School.
Collins is a 5-9 forward from Lake Mary, Fla. The Daytona State transfer was a three-sport standout at Lake Mary H.S. She helped guide her club team to a first-place finish at the CASL Showcase and the Disney International Tournament.
Leonard is a 5-4 forward from Simpsonville, S.C. The Mauldin H.S. product was an all-state selection as a sophomore. Leonard garnered all-region accolades twice. Through her junior year, she tallied 28 goals and 15 assists.
Martell is a 5-6 goalkeeper from Brisbane, Australia. The West Moreton Anglican College attendee played club ball for QAS. She was a member of the QAS team and elite development program. Martell was named one of the top 50 players in Australia in her age group and helped her team to the TAS Premiership in 2020.
Moore is a 5-8 goalkeeper from Caldwell, Idaho. The Caldwell Senior H.S. standout was a two-time first-team all-conference performer. She led her club team to the Canyon Rim Classic title and guided the team to a No. 2 ranking in the state as a sophomore.
Samaha is a 5-8 defender from Tallahassee, Fla. The Lincoln H.S. product was a three-time all-region honoree. She accounted for 10 goals and 19 assists during her career. A four-time scholar-athlete, Samaha captained the team as a senior. She led her Bay ASG club team to the FSPL Final 4 in 2019 and 2020.
Sauers is a 5-8 defender/midfielder from Lilburn, Ga. The Parkview H.S. attendee helped lead her team to a region, state and national championship as a freshman. Sauers guided her squad to a region title and Final Four appearance as a sophomore. She played club ball for AFU ECNL and led her team to the Final Four GSA RPL in 2017.
Vanderbilt is a 5-1 defender from Toms River, N.J. The Toms River H.S. North standout led her team to the Shore Conference title and A-South championship as a sophomore. As a junior, Vanderbilt guided the team to the Shore Conference semifinals. The two-sport standout also competed on the track team, winning the district 400m hurdles as a freshman.
"This is as good a group of young ladies you will find anywhere," Deer stated. "They are not only a fit for our program, but, more importantly, they are a fit for our university. I couldn't be more excited about the incoming class."
