Alabama Soccer Inks Five on National Signing Day
2/7/2018 2:52:00 PM | Soccer
The Crimson Tide adds five outstanding student-athletes to its 2018 freshman class
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's soccer team signs five outstanding student-athletes for its 2018 freshman class, head coach Wes Hart announced on Wednesday. The highly touted class includes Abigail Bivens, Kaitlyn Madden, Riley Mattingly, Reyna Reyes and Kathryn Rogers.
"I'm very excited about the 2018 class that we signed today" Hart said. "It's a small class, but loaded with talent. We only signed five players. This was by design. Last year we signed eleven players, three of whom we redshirted, that will now join this class. There's no doubt in my mind that these players will jump in and contribute right away."
Abigail "Abby" Bivens
Fullerton, Calif. | Lutheran/Orange HS | Strikers F | Defender
"Abby was a great find for us. We're finally back in Southern California after having gone a couple of years without a SoCal girl on our roster. She is small in stature, but plays big! She's got a ton of bite to her game and is a fierce competitor. I would not want to go into a tackle against Abby. She will fight for time in the backline or holding midfield."
Bivens, a 5-4 center back from Fullerton, Calif., spent her club career playing for Striker FC under head coach Terri Patraw. A four-year letterman at Lutheran/Orange High school, Bivens earned first team all-league honors in back-to-back years, won the Rookie of the Year award, was her team's MVP for two consecutive years and served as team captain her sophomore to senior seasons. Furthermore, Bivens led her team to victory, winning the Cordial Cup in Austria in 2014 in front of 5,000 people.
Kaitlyn Madden
Basking Ridge, N.J. | Ridge HS | PDA | Defender
"I'm thrilled to have another PDA/Jersey player on our team. She comes from the same soccer club as Taylor Morgan. She's a tough, scrappy outside back that will be able to shut down opposing wingers and join in the attack."
Madden, a 5-6 outside back from Basking Ridge, N.J., spent her club career playing for PDA under head coach Mick Smith, where she powered her U16 team to an undefeated season and capped the year off by capturing the ECNL National title. At Ridge High School under the guidance of head coach Katie Donahue, Madden led her team to two state championships and was awarded all-county and all-state honors, while being the team's captain.
Riley Mattingly
Flower Mound, Texas | Flower Mound Marcus HS | Solar Soccer Club | Midfield
"Riley is a key player for Solar, who boasts one of the best records in the USSDA. Riley is going to add a ton to our midfield next year. She's a player that can help in combination, beat players on the dribble and score goals. Riley can play inside or outside wide. I would not be surprised if Riley got called into a USA National Team Camp in the near future."
Mattingly, a 5-6 midfielder from Flower Mound, Texas, spent her club career playing for the Solar Soccer Club under head coach Adrian Solca, where she led her team to three consecutive ECNL Texas Conference Championships (2015-17), powered her team to a third-place finish at the 2015 ECNL National finals in Richmond, Va., while placing fifth at the 2016 ECNL National Playoffs in San Diego. In addition, Mattingly participated in the ECNL NIKE regional and national camps in 2017. At Flower Mound Marcus High School, Madden earned multiple accolades including Utility Player of the Year, first team all-district honors, second team all-region honors and Team MVP in 2016, while also being recognized as the Offensive MVP, first team all-district honoree, first team all-region honoree and Team MVP in 2017.
Reyna Reyes
Garland, Texas | Garland HS | FC Dallas | Defender
"She graduated a full year early. She was originally part of our 2019 class. Reyna is extremely versatile. I could see her playing in the back line, or anywhere in the midfield for us. Reyna has a ton of experience playing at a high level already. She scored the game winning goal for her FC Dallas Club Team last summer in the ECNL National Championship game. She's also represented U17 Mexico on a number of occasions and will likely be a key player for them in the World Cup later this year."
Reyes, a FC Dallas and U17 Mexico National Team defender, comes to the Capstone from Garland, Texas. In 2017, Reyes scored the winning goal to help FC Dallas snag the U16 ECNL National title, 2-1. In 2016, she helped the U17 Mexican National Team capture the bronze medal at the International Women's Tournament of Gradisca in San Valentino, Italy.
Kathryn "Kat" Rogers
Prosper, Texas | Prosper HS | Dallas Sting |Midfield
"I'm excited to add another Texas girl to our roster! Kat plays for Sting Soccer Club out of Dallas. She is a box-to-box midfielder with a tremendous left foot. She will help us maintain possession and spread teams out with her range of passing. I could see Kat playing anywhere in the midfield for us next season."
Rogers, a 5-6 midfielder from Prosper, Texas, spent her club career playing for the Dallas Sting where she was named Player of the Year on the U18/U19 team in 2017 and led her team to the 2016 North American Cup Championships. At Prosper High School, Rogers served as team captain for three years and was named a two-time Team MVP. In addition, Rogers was named Newcomer of the Year in 2015, earned first team all-district honors in 2016 and 2017 while being tabbed on the all-area team. During the 2017 season at Prosper, Rogers netted 19 goals and administered nine assists.
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaSoccer on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
