Soccer Inks Eight for the 2010 Season
2/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Feb. 5, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama head soccer coach Todd Bramble announced that eight student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play soccer for the Crimson Tide. The class is comprised of players at each position that hail from six different states. The eight signees now join the four early enrollees to comprise the entire 2010 class.
"This talented and diverse group of student athletes has the opportunity to come in and have an immediate impact on the Alabama soccer program," Coach Bramble said. "Not only is this group diverse in that they come from all over the nation, but in the skill sets that they bring to the program as well."
The eight signees include:
Ariel Armijo
Two-year letter-winner at Mullen High School in Littleton, Colo., where she won three state championships ... was a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society during high school ... played for Colorado Real National under coach Neil Payne in 2009...was named a Topdrawersoccer.com "Player to Watch".
"Ariel is a player of the highest quality and Real Colorado is proud that she will be attending such a prestigious school as Alabama," Real coach Neil Payne said. "Although her potential is still limitless, Ariel will bring not only a winning mentality, but will bring a range of skill that separates her from most. Ariel is a solid defensive player whose biggest attributes lie in her strength in the air, in her distribution and in her composure on the ball. Beyond her defensive prowess, Ariel has an extensive understanding of the game and she understands how to release and become an attacking threat, through assists and the odd goal. In addition, Ariel is a wonderful person with a fantastic family. I have no doubt Ariel will play an integral role in the program and will be a great success at Alabama."
"Ariel has the unique ability to move very quickly around the field, yet is seems as if the game goes into slow motion when she has the ball because of her composure," Bramble explained. "This is a wonderful quality that brings a sense of calmness to her teammates around her as well. Lastly, her versatility almost ensures she will make an immediate impact on our team as we will look to use her in a few different roles next fall."
Molly Atherton
Was an attacker under coach Christopher Pryor at Gulfport High School in Gulfport, Miss. ... recorded 101 goals and 41 assists through Jan. 28, 2010 ... two-time Jackson-Clarion Ledger All-State honoree ... two-time Mississippi Association of Coaches 5-A All-State team member ... named 2009 Sun Herald Mississippi Coast Player of the Year ... four-time All-District team ... six-time Clarion Ledger Top Performer ... four-time GHS Best Offensive Player ... Lindy Callahan Scholar Athlete Nominee ... 2009 Mississippi Class 5A state finalist ... 2008 Mississippi class 5A State Champions, three-time South State Champions ... member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Vice President), Physics Club (President), Beta Club, Student Council, Key Club (Vice President) ... played Club soccer for multiple teams over last nine years ... currently a member of Birmingham United '92 Elite for coach Andrew Brower ... Mississippi ODP Region III team in 2008 and 2009 ... invited to the 2008 Interregional Event in Coral Springs and the 2009 Interregional Event in Ridgeland, Miss. ... traveled with the Region III team to the Algarve Cup in Portugal in 2009... 2009 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee.
"Molly brings a creative dynamic to the field each time she plays," Andrew Brower, Birmingham United Girls Director of Coaching said. "She has had the innate ability to play fantastic passes into our front players to create numerous scoring opportunities for our team. She will be a great addition to the University of Alabama and will provide great creativity in the midfield, while also creating numerous scoring chances over the next four years."
"Molly is a well rounded attacking player who can play a great final pass as well as score goals herself," Bramble said. "On the ball she has the ability to both beat people on the dribble or through combination play. What we are most excited about with Molly, however, is that she has only scratched the surface of what type of player she can become. When she gets in our everyday training environment, we really expect her game to hit another level."
Shanna Brooks
Two-sport athlete at Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Ala. ... played both soccer and basketball ... was named to 2009 All-State Girls Soccer second team ... 2009 Birmingham News Girls All-Metro Soccer Team ... 2009 Shelby County Girls All-County Soccer honoree ... 2008 All-State second team ... 2009 recipient of Coach's Leadership Award ... was a captain on the basketball team in 2009 and 2010 ... led team to 2009 Lakeshore Shootout Championship ... helped team achieve a 16-5-1 record in 2009 ... played seven years for coach Andrew Brower on the Birmingham United '92 Elite Team ... 2004, 2008, and 2009 State Champions ... 2008 and 2009 Region III PL Central Champions ... four-time member of '92 Alabama ODP team ... three-time member of Region III '92 ODP team ... attended 2008 Dana Cup in Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark, during the summer of 2008 ... selected to play against the U-17 Mexican Women's National Team in Birmingham, Ala., in 2008.
"Shanna has been the rock of our club team the past few seasons," Brower said. "She is a tremendous athlete who makes breath-taking saves game in and game out. Shanna will be a great addition to the University of Alabama, and will provide a strong, reliable goalkeeper presence throughout her career."
"Shanna is at a great starting point to be an excellent goalkeeper in the SEC," Bramble said. "She's technical, athletic and very courageous. She's received some of the best goalkeeper training around the southeast and has consistently competed at a high level for both her club team and ODP."
Emily Cox
Starting goalkeeper at St. Pius X Catholic School in Decatur, Ga., her entire career ... has amassed a 57-6-2 record in three years ... led her team to a 22-0-0 2009 season as a junior ... tallied 19 shutouts in 22 games as a junior en route to the AAA State Championship and NSCCA National Championship ... also led her team to the state finals in 2008, where they finished as the AAAA state runner-up ... was named the All-Area Player of the Year in 2009 and runner-up in 2008 ... All-Area first-team in 2008 and 2009, second-team in 2007 ... played with GSA Phoenix Red '92 for coach Campbell Chapman for six years ... U-17 team finished season third at Nationals ... U-17 2009 Region III Champion ... 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 Georgia State Champions ... played for the first team Georgia ODP in 2005-2008.
"Emily has worked hard to become a top-level goalkeeper," Campbell Chapman, Girls Director of Coaching at the Gwinnett Soccer Association said. "She has been a very important part of the GSA Phoenix 92 Red team and has made some big saves over the years. Emily has a great attitude for practice to always do her best."
"Emily has always been a very vocal goalkeeper and creates a very dominating presence on the field," Sara Geiger, Head Girl's Soccer Coach at St. Pius X High School said. "She is constantly trying to get better and better. She is not afraid to work hard to get to where she needs to be."
"Emily will further strengthen our goalkeeping position and helps us accomplish our goal of creating as much competition within our team as possible," Bramble said. "Having played on such a great club team and competing for a national championship will be an asset for her as she makes the adjustment to the college game."
Theresa Diederich
Four-year letter-winner at Episcopal High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. ... tallied 81 career goals and 61 career assists prior to her senior season ... was named team MVP in 2009 ... All-State honoree in 2009 ... Jacksonville Times Union Top Five Player to Watch ... also lettered in track and field in 2009. ... member of 2007 State Semi-finalist team ... played eight years for the Ponte Vedra Storm under Louis Torres ... member of 2009 State Championship team ... helped lead team to the 2009 National Finals ... is also a member of the Region III ODP team.
"I could never express in words what "T" has meant to me as a player, as a person, and simply as a friend," Luis Torres of the Ponte Vedra Storm said. "She has made me a better coach and a better person and I will forever be one of her biggest fans. T's ability to always put her heart and soul into everything she does has made her an amazing example of what a leader, teammate and friend should be. It has earned her the love and respect of every player and coach that she has ever been associated with. I have no doubt that she will not only be a huge asset to the Alabama soccer program but a blessing to anyone lucky enough to get to know her.
"I personally have been incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to coach "T" over the past five years, and I will miss her greatly. It is however very comforting to know that she will be in good hands with the coaching staff at the University of Alabama, and I look forward to watching her play in Crimson and White in the near future."
"Theresa not only comes from, but was a leader on one of the best club teams in the nation this past year," Bramble said. "She's got a tremendous competitive spirit and a charismatic demeanor on and off the field. I've personally seen her play in the back in the midfield and up front and she is comfortable anywhere on the field in any situation."
Kendall Khanna
Attended Mullen High School in Littleton, Colo., where she played for coach Amy Estes ... member of 2007 state championship team ... recipient of the Torch Award in 2007, 2008, and 2009 ... 2008 Leadership Award recipient ... 2008 Link Leader honoree ... named to the 2008 All-Conference Team ... played four years for coach Erik Bushey on the Nike Rush ... 2007 state finalist ... 2008 Regional Championships participant in Hawai'i ... finished ranked in the top 10 of 2008 Red Bull National League.
"Kendall has been a joy to coach these past few years," Erik Bushéy, technical director for the Colorado Rush said. "She began as a player who had speed and would work, and then grew into a mature soccer player who could fulfill different roles in different systems and get success. She is a good player and even better person. Rush is proud of Kendall and wish her well in her future at Alabama."
"Kendall is most comfortable in an attacking role and is most effective in the attacking third of the field," Bramble said. "She beats defenders 1v1, provides great crosses and is a threat to score as well."
Courtney Pixler
Attended Eastlake High School in Sammamish, Wash. ... was a four-year letterman under coach Chuck Krieble ... 4A All-State first team 2008 and 2009 ... Seattle Times All-Area team in 2008, 2009 ... 4A All-King County first team in both 2008 and 2009 and second team in 2007 ... 4A All-King County honorable mention as a freshman in 2006 ... Eastlake High School Most Valuable Defender in 2009 ... helped lead Eastlake to three playoff appearances including the 2007 state championship ... was named a Scholar Athlete all four years and reports a 3.9 GPA ... played eight years for Crossfire Premier '91 under coach Dick McCormick ... Club Team won five state championships ranging from 2003 to 2009 ... was a team captain on the Super Y League National Championship team in 2006 ... Washington State '92 ODP team 2005-2009 ... Super Y League '92 National ODP Team 2007, 2008.
"Courtney is the kind of kid and player you build a team around, she is a tremendous leader and always has a thirst to work hard and learn more and about the game," Crossfire Girls Coaching Director Dick McCormick said.
"Courtney is a high quality central defender who possesses all the tools we look for in that position," Bramble explained. "She can run, tackle, head, distribute and organize. She reads the game really well and also will come in tremendously prepared through her club and ODP experiences."
Jewelia Strickland
Played for Whitewater High School under coach Heather Allen ... started all four years ... 2007 AAAA state champion, 2009 AAAA runner-up ... scored three of teams five goals in her two state championship games ... was a 2009 adidas All-American scholar... sang for the Advanced Chorus in 2008 and 2009 ... Relay for Life volunteer in 2006 and 2007 ... member of both Beta Club and National Honor Society ... assistant AFC volunteer soccer coach in 2009 ... was a soccer referee for PTYSL and FCYSL ... ESPN on the Rise "Player to Watch" in 2009 ... All-County Team in 2008 and 2009 ... named first team FPR in 2009 ... All-State honoree in 2008 and 2009 ... played eight years for AFC Lightning under Andy Thompson ... five-time team captain ... team was ranked first in the nation from Dec. 2008 to July, 2009 ... named Top Drawer Soccer "Player to Watch" ... US Youth Soccer Region Championship Finalist in 2007 and 2009 ... US Youth Soccer Region Championship semi-finalist in 2006 and 2008 ... 2008 Atlanta Cup Champion ... CASL Soccer Showcase Champion in 2008 ... Disney Soccer Showcase Champion in 2008 ... member of Georgia ODP state team in 2005-2009 ... captain of Georgia ODP state team for two years ... member of ODP Region Pool team in 2009.
"There are so many qualities in Jewelia Strickalnd, the player and person," coach Andy Thompson said. "Her exceptional leadership, her competitiveness and her drive to be the best are traits that she carries with her to Alabama. She is versatile, as she can play anywhere on the back line and can help out in the midfield as well. She can use either foot pretty well, likes to join the attack and is a wonderful crosser, for which, is the main reason she has played in the back the last few seasons for AFC. She will make Alabama a better team straight way as a freshman, and she will continue to improve up to, and throughout her career there."
"Jewelia is an outstanding defensive player who can contribute in a variety of positions," Bramble said. "She can play any of the four spots in the back or as a defensive midfielder. She's a cerebral player with accurate distribution out of the back. She was on an outstanding club team out of Atlanta and has extensive ODP experience as well."
2010 SIGNEES
| NAME | HEIGHT | POSITION | HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL | CLUB TEAM |
| Ariel Armijo | 5-8 | Defender | Littleton, Colo. / J.K. Mullen | Colorado Real National |
| Molly Atherton | 5-5 | Mid / Forward | Gulfport, Miss. / Gulfport | Birmingham United |
| Shanna Brooks | 5-5 | Goalkeeper | Birmingham, Ala. / Oak Mountain | Birmingham United |
| Emily Cox | 5-6 | Goalkeeper | Decatur, Ga. / St. Pius X Catholic | GSA Phoenix Red '92 |
| Theresa Diederich | 5-6 | Midfielder | Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. / Episcopal | Ponte Vedra Storm |
| Kendall Khanna | 5-7 | Forward | Littleton, Colo. / J.K. Mullen | Nike Rush |
| Courtney Pixler | 5-8 | Defender | Sammamish, Wash. / Eastlake | Crossfire Premier |
| Jewelia Strickland | 5-7 | Defender | Fayetteville, Ga. / Whitewater | AFC Lightning |
EARLY ENROLLEES
| NAME | HEIGHT | POSITION | HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL |
| K.K. Duffy | 5-7 | Defender | Atlanta, Ga. / Clemson |
| Meghan Duffy | 5-8 | Defender | Atlanta, Ga. / Clemson |
| Alex Russell | 5-3 | Defender | Birmingham, Ala. / SMU |
| Ellie Smith | 5-5 | Forward | Miami, Fla. / Bradenton Prep Academy |
