USC Aiken Women’s Soccer Nets Eight New Commitments

AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women’s soccer team has signed eight players for the upcoming 2009 season.

“ I am extremely excited about this class,” said USC Aiken women’s soccer head coach Susan Vodicka. “I am not only thrilled about the athletic ability and skill that they will bring to our program, but I am also ecstatic about the kind of leadership that they will be bringing as we continue to build this program. These are the kind of student-athletes we want here at USC Aiken. They all have a commitment to excellence and a desire to win.”

Midfielder Emily Brace, a North Augusta native, will patrol the midfield in the No. 19 jersey for the Pacers.

A native of Charleston, S.C., Alie Brady will suit up in the midfield for the Pacers in the No. 17 shirt. Brady was a member of the Green Wave at Summerville High School in Summerville, S.C. Brady played her first two years at Newberry College before transferring to the University of South Carolina as a student. She has one year of eligibility remaining and will play her senior season as a Pacer.

Midfielder Diana Eaton comes to USC Aiken from Clover High School and will command the No. 12 shirt as a Pacer. Eaton was a member of the 2008 Region 3-AAAA All Region Team as well as the 2005-06 Golden Boot Award winner. The York, S.C. native has played club soccer for the Discoveries Soccer Club out of Rock Hill, S.C. since 2003, making the U-18 team as a 14 year-old and helping the squad win the 2005-06 State Championship.

Local product Chrissy Jantzen, a three year varsity starter for head coach Ron Johnson at Aiken High School will suit up for the Pacers in the No. 8 jersey as both a defender and midfielder. Jantzen played her club soccer in Lexington, S.C. as the captain of the U-18 Lexington United team, capturing the 2007 U-19 Furniture City Classic Tournament Championship in High Point, N.C.

Cassey Lloyd closes out the stellar midfield contingent committed to USC Aiken for the upcoming season. Lloyd will wear the No. 23 jersey for the Pacers after her tremendous career at White Knoll High School in Lexington, S.C.

Outside Midfielder Olivia Melton from North Augusta, S.C. is one of several local players committed to the Pacers. Melton will wear No. 21 and play the wing for USC Aiken after finishing her Yellow Jacket career with 10 goals and 7 assists. Melton is one of three North Augusta High School players joining the Pacers.

Sarah Meyer will help anchor the Pacer defense in the No. 20 shirt for coach Vodicka. Meyer rounds out the talented class of players joining USC Aiken from North Augusta High School. Meyer is a former USC Aiken women’s basketball player, taking the court as a freshman for Mike Brandt’s Pacers.

Jennifer Pineiro brings her expansive skill set to the Pacers in the No. 3 shirt as a forward, midfielder and defender for Vodicka. Pineiro has captured State Championships in both North Dakota (2005) and South Carolina (2006) in club competition. Pineiro is currently a senior at Fort Dorchester High School in North Charleston, S.C. while playing her club soccer with the U-18 Bridge FA Gold. In her first season at Fort Dorchester, Pineiro garnered Rookie of the Year and All-Region honors with the Patriots. Her playing career began in the Midwest, suiting up for the North Dakota Olympic Devleopment Program team (ODP) in 2004 and 2005. In 2006 as a freshman at Stratford High School in Goose Creek, S.C., Pineiro was named team MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and All-Region.