Alabama Soccer Signs Six to Letters of Intent
2/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
 |
|
This year's recruiting class has a bit of international flavor as Carly Carson and Gillian Kilburn both hail from British Columbia, Canada.
Carson has been the goalkeeper for the Canadian National Youth team for the past two years while Kilburn has also been a member of the Canadian National soccer pool at the under-16, under-17 and under-18 levels.
Bama also received commitments from Buffalo, New York native Emily Pitek, Atlanta, Georgia native Courtney Van Winkle and sisters Leigh and Suzanne Baker also from Atlanta.
Pitek, who is a senior at Nardin Academy, is a two-time all-state performer in New York and a two-time league MVP.
Van Winkle will be called on to help fill the large holes on defense left due to graduation. A speedy, man-marker, Van Winkle is no stranger to a championship team helping her high school team to the 2002 and 2003 state championships. She was named first team All-County in 2002 and was named team captain in 2003.
Suzanne Baker, a senior at The Westminster School, was named Atlanta-Journal All-County for two straight years while also leading her club team in scoring from 1996 through the 2000 season.
Leigh Baker, also a senior at The Westminster School, will help out at the center midfield position. She led her team in crosses from 1998-2002 and was third on the team in assists and third in scoring while helping to lead the team to the 2002 state championship.
"This is a very significant signing for us," said Alabama Head Coach Don Staley. "We were able to address all our needs. We got the depth we needed and addressed our goalkeeper situation. I think between Carson and Laura Lowman we're going to see some exception battles during preseason at the goalie position."
The Tide will open its spring season on Saturday, March when they host the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic.
