Soccer Adds Shelby Church for 2012
2/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Feb. 24, 2012
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama head soccer coach Todd Bramble announced the addition of Shelby Church for the 2012 season. The goalkeeper from Orinda, Calif., will join the Crimson Tide from the University of Southern California.
"Getting Shelby at this point in the year is just icing on the cake," Bramble said. "Now we can honestly say we are strong and deep at every line on the field. Emily Rusk has already proven she is ready to compete for the starting position. Now adding Shelby, who has recently participated in a U-20 National Team Camp and has started nearly 40 games in the PAC-12, guarantees we will continue to be excellent in goal for the foreseeable future."
Church started two seasons for the Trojans, playing in 36 matches over the course of the last two seasons. Church made 130 saves and sported a 1.38 goals against average over that time.
As a freshman, the 5-11 keeper was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Rookie first team after leading the Trojans to a 13-6-3 overall record in 22 starts. Church tallied a 1.10 goals against average and 82 saves while playing 2050 minutes in 22 starts. She recorded seven shutouts and a .766 save percentage.
Church recorded 59 shutouts in her career at Miramonte High in Orinda, Calif. She won four league championships and two North Coast Section titles. Church was named the league's most valuable defensive player as a senior.
She was also named to the all-league first team as a sophomore and junior and earned honorable mention honors as a freshman. Church was also named to the 2008 Contra Costa Times All-Winter Sports Team.
Church played club with the Mustang Spirit and the Lamorinda United, winning the 2008 Far West Region championship. She also competed with Cal North ODP in 2006-07.
