Soccer Adds Four at the Semester
1/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Jan. 22, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama head soccer coach Todd Bramble announced the signing of four student-athletes that have enrolled in classes and are on campus for the spring semester. Sisters K.K. and Meghan Duffy, Alex Russell and Ellie Smith have joined the Crimson Tide and will begin play in the 2010 season.
"Adding this group of players to our squad certainly made for an interesting and exciting Christmas break," Bramble said. "We are equally excited to have added the transfer students as all three are known commodities to our staff."
K.K. Duffy comes to the Capstone after starting every game of her career at Clemson on the backline. Duffy started in a total 35 games and has three assists to her credit. She will enter the 2010 season as a junior in eligibility. She played for coach Sergio Stadler at the Marist School and helped lead her team to a AAAA state championship in 2008.
"KK Duffy has been successful at every level in which she has competed and we will welcome her presence as she competes for a spot in our back line," Bramble said.
Her sister Meghan is also coming to Alabama. She also played in the defensive third for the Tigers appearing in three games as a freshman. A graduate of the Marist School, she helped her team win the 2008 Georgia state title. As a member of the War Eagles squad, Duffy earned second-team All-Area/City Team honors in 2008.
"Meghan Duffy also brings a defensive mindset to the field and as a college player that has untapped potential," said Bramble. "We are hopeful that as she settles into our challenging yet nurturing environment she can begin to excel."
Russell comes to Tuscaloosa and returns to her home state after playing in 14 games as a freshman and one as a sophomore at SMU in the backfield. Russell started in eight games as a newcomer for the Mustangs and tallied one goal. She attended Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham where she led the Spartans to a perfect 23-0 record and the 6A state championship.
"Alex hails from Birmingham and is a product of the BUSA (Birmingham United Soccer Association) club program," Bramble explained. "She is a versatile player who will compete in a variety of positions in the attack."
Smith enrolled at Alabama after earning her high school diploma following her fall semester at Bradenton Preparatory Academy. Smith, a forward from Miami, Fla., played four years for the IMG Soccer Academy and six with the CESA' 92 Premier club. In 2009 she was named the Region III Premier League U-17 top scorer.
"We have known Ellie for many years as she was a part of our summer camps and her development experiences with both CESA and the IMG Academy has certainly paid dividends," Bramble said. "Her comfort level on the ball is exceptional and now she has the added advantage of using this spring to adapt to the physical challenges the college level presents."
