Feb. 4, 2010

By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in 11 seasons under head coach Amanda Cromwell in 2009, the UCF women's soccer team announced another impressive recruiting class on Thursday. The class includes a trio of Florida residents along with players from England, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Wisconsin.

"This class definitely helps move us closer to our ultimate goal of winning a national championship," said Cromwell. "These ladies are good students, strong athletes and great people. They come from some of the top clubs and high schools in the country and some of them will step in right away and compete for playing time. They will bring a great deal of athleticism and versatility to our program.

"(Associate head coach) Colby Hale has done a great job coordinating the recruitment of these student-athletes. We would like to thank Keith Tribble, David Hansen, Lisa Danner and compliance, Sarah Hill and academics and everyone who played such a crucial role in helping secure this class. We are extremely excited and we are looking forward to another record-breaking year."

High School Accomplishments

• Three-time captain for Oviedo High School
• All-state honoree as a junior
• Also named all-conference her first three seasons
• Holds her school's assist record

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Was an all-region team honorable mention selection

Academic Accomplishments

• Earned a spot on the principle's honor roll
• Member of the Seminole County Scholar Athlete Club

Personal

• Born March 9, 1992
• Daughter of Stephen and Marian Asby
• Has two siblings Brooke, who played with the Knights from 1999-02, and Stephen
• Also recruited by: Florida State, South Florida, Virginia Commonwealth, Georgia Southern

Coach Scott Waisanen (Oviedo High School): "Since April's freshman year she has made an impact on Oviedo High School's girls soccer team by starting all four years and leading as a captain for three of those years. She is the career assists leader at Oviedo with a total of 59 and a season-high of 23. April is a tireless worker with a competitive energy to do whatever it takes to cause her teammates to be successful."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "April comes to us from Orlando. She has good size and athleticism, a very dangerous throw and great versatility. We are excited to have her."

April Asby on Choosing UCF: "I have followed UCF soccer since my sister played there, and I like the campus and the coaches."

High School Accomplishments

• Helped Coppell High School claim the 5A state title in 2009, and was selected to the all-state tournament team
• Named a TASCO all-region and all-state honoree in 2009
• Also earned first team all-district and the best defensive player award in 2009

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Member of the D'feeters Soccer Club since 2006
• Also played for FC Dallas Soccer Club from 2005-06 and Dallas Inter Soccer Club from 2002-05

Academic Accomplishments

• Distinguished Achievement Program candidate with a GPA ranging from 4.3-4.4 on a 5.0 scale through high school

Personal

• Born May 4, 1992
• Daughter of Juan and Pauline Avant
• Has three siblings, Sterling, Camille and Jazmyne
• Also recruited by: Texas, Baylor, Texas State, Houston Baptist, Georgia State, South Carolina Spartanburg, Rice

Coach Hugh Bradford (DOC of D'Feeters Soccer Club): "Spayne is one of the hardest workers I have coached. She never stops giving 100 percent. She has good technique, is dangerous attacking and running at players, and is a tenacious defender that can shut down the opponents' best player. I think UCF is a great fit for her and I look forward to watching her progress throughout her time there."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Spayne comes to us from Dallas. She has great pace, good technique and could play just about anywhere on the field. Her high school team is one of the top teams in the talent-rich state of Texas and she should compete for playing time right away."

Spayne Avant on Choosing UCF: "The soccer program seemed to be a new and upcoming threat that I could see myself fitting into, and the coaching staff seems to be one that will not only improve me as a soccer player, but also as a person."

High School Accomplishments

• Listed at No. 97 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com 2010 National Top 100 Girls rankings
• Also a four-star recruit and No. 10 in her region
• Earned 12 varsity letters in soccer, field hockey and basketball
• Guided Hershey's soccer team to the 2009 state semifinals
• An all-state selection in 2008 and the team's rookie of the year in 2007
• Also helped the field hockey team to the 2008 and 2009 state finals

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Led her club team to the 2009 Disney Showcase and the 2004, 2007 and 2009 State Cup titles
• The 2006 squad was the Region I champion and a national finalist
• Olympic Development Program U-18 EPA captain for a team that claimed the Region I title
• Also a part of the U-17 Region I finalist squad
• Member of the U-15 ODP Region 1 Team
• Participated in the 2007 U.S. Youth Soccer National Development Camp in California

Academic Accomplishments

• Stands in the top two percent of her class
• Member of the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society
• Earned a spot on the distinguished honor roll every semester, and claimed the National I Dare You Leadership Award as well as Hershey's Federated Women's Club of America Student of the Month honor

Personal

• Born Aug. 3, 1991
• Daughter of Stanley and Ann Boyer
• Has one sister, Lauren
• Also recruited by: Connecticut, Yale, Pittsburgh

Coach Michael McHugh (Hershey Attack): "Casey has been a major contributor to the team success of Hershey Attack soccer since U-12. Her positional versatility and comfort with the ball at her feet in pressure has made her a very effective player. Casey's experience at the regional and national ODP events as well as youth national and regional championships will benefit her at the next level and more importantly her love for the game and desire to continue to improve will be a great fit for UCF."

Coach Dan Overmier (2008 Eastern Pa. U17 Girls ODP): "Casey is a true competitor that has the ability to be a difference maker at any level. Her phenomenal size is easily recognizable but her work rate, determination and passion overshadow her physical strengths. It is rare to find a player as dominant in the air and as technically sound with her feet as Casey."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Casey has a tremendous amount of potential. She has great feet and makes good decisions. She has played on the Region 1 Team, one of the top club teams in the Northeast and will look to compete for time in the back for us."

Casey Boyer on Choosing UCF: "I chose UCF for the diversity of majors in which I am interested and I fell in love with the campus, but the strong soccer program was what fueled my interest."

High School Accomplishments

• Joined the Walton High School varsity team as a freshman
• Holds the school's track and field record in the 400m dash

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Concorde Fire Elite stands at No. 2 in the state of Georgia and ranks No. 31 in the nation
• Helped her team to the Georgia State Cup finals and the Las Vegas Showcase semifinals in 2009
• Also competed in the Elite Clubs National League, Region III Premier League and the Region III championship quarterfinals
• Named to the '92 ODP Team in 2008
• Guided club team to the WAGS Tournament title in 2008 and the Vulcan Cup crown in 2007

Academic Accomplishments

• Is in line to receive a college prep diploma with distinction
• Selected four County Honors Orchestra
• Member of the school's honor roll

Personal

• Born Sept. 14, 1992
• Daughter of Suzette Darden
• Has two siblings, Emily Darden and Katy Banks
• Also recruited by: Columbus State among several others

Coach Greg Blasingame (Concorde Fire Elite): "Kayla has everything you look for in a player. She is a team leader, technical, strong, athletic, smart and just one of the best players I've coached. She is the total package and I think UCF is a great fit for her."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Kayla will add a different dimension to our midfield in the coming years. She is athletic, tough, strong, good in the air and loves to run at people. Her work ethic is fantastic and we are glad to have Kayla for the next four years."

Kayla Darden on Choosing UCF: "UCF offers everything that I was looking for in a college. I really wanted my college experience to be at a large, reputable university. Academically UCF has everything I was looking for. Athletically the soccer team and coaching staff is excellent and will definitely get me to the next level of play. I am so excited about my entire experience to come at UCF."

High School Accomplishments

• A three-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Lettered all four years and served as the varsity captain from 2009-10
• Named the District 10-5A and the Rowlett High School Defensive Player of the Year in 2009
• Selected to the District 10-5A First Team in 2008
• Helped the team to at least the Region 2 quarterfinals from 2007-09, including the semifinals last year
• Also played basketball and was the starter as a freshman

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Olympic Development Program USYS '92 State Team since 2007
• Guided the team to the 2009 USYS '92 national championship as well as the Region III crown
• Competes for Sting '92 on the club level
• A U.S. Youth Soccer Region III semifinalist and a Red Bull National League finalist in 2009
• Region III Premier League West Champions in 2008, and participated in the U.S. Youth Soccer Nationals that year
• Was a North Texas State Cup finalist in 2008 as well
• Played for Polaris '92 from 2006-07, where she helped the squad to the North Texas State Cup finals, the Disney Showcase Predator Flight title and the Spring Classic title in 2007

Academic Accomplishments

• Member of the National Honor Society, was a Texas Scholar and earned the Academic Excellence Award in 2008 and 2009

Personal

• Born April 8, 1992
• Daughter of David and Michelle Diggs
• Also recruited by: Wake Forest, Portland, California, Kansas, Iowa State, Rice, Louisville, Nevada, Baylor, TCU, Charlotte and others

Coach Kenneth Medina (Sting Soccer Club): "Marissa has made tremendous strides thus far in her overall play. Marissa is aggressive, physically dominant and is a strong defensive presence at the back. UCF will get a player who has all the physical attributes to play college soccer and the tactical understanding that makes up a good defender."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "We are very excited about Marissa. She has great athleticism and is very difficult to beat 1v1. Her club team finished as one of the top four teams in the country and her ODP team won Nationals. She will compete to play in the back as a freshman and we expect big things from Marissa."

Marissa Diggs on Choosing UCF: "As soon as I walked on campus I fell in love. It has the perfect atmosphere, perfect location, and not to mention the coaches are great."

Sokhara Goodall
5-6 • D/M
Kent, England (Eltham Green)
Chelsea Ladies

Club/National Team Accomplishments

• Won three titles with the Chelsea Reserves (League, League Cup, County Cup)
• Teammate of fellow UCF signee Katy Ling with the Chelsea Ladies FC, which competes in England's top women's soccer league, the premiership
• Also won the County Cup and the League crown in her first season, and although the team lost the League Cup, she was named the Player of the Match
• Attended the Chelsea Ladies Football Academy from 2007 to 2009
• Played for Millwall Lionesses from 11-16 years old, serving as captain for both the U14 and U16 teams
• While there, was the U12 Most Improved Player as well as the U12 Player of the Year
• Attended Arsenal Ladies Academy from 2005-06, and was one of a few academy players asked to train with the Arsenal Ladies first team regularly
• First selected for an England camp at the U15 level, and is currently a squad member for the U23 program

Academic Accomplishments

• One of the top scorers in the General Certificate of Secondary Education in physical education in the borough of London

Personal

• Born Sept. 23, 1989
• Daughter of Robert and Julie Goodall
• Has one sibling, Gemma

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Sokhara will be a great addition to our team. She's played for Chelsea in England, and is extremely smart and an intelligent defender. She's very strong on the tackle and good in the air, and her technique is good. Sokhara is a complete defender and can step in to compete right away."

Sokhara Goodall on Choosing UCF: "It is a great school and a great team in my favorite place of America."

High School Accomplishments

• Finished A three-star recruit rated by TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Guided Nolan Catholic to the TAPPS 5A state finals from 2007-09
• School is currently ranked No. 31 in the country
• Has scored 46 goals and added 38 assists in her high school career
• Named to the all-state tournament team as well as the all-district teams in 2008 and 2009
• A Tarrant County Top 10 Player to Watch in 2010
• Leading scorer entering the 2009-10 season with 23 goals to date
• Earned a spot on the Star Telegram Super Team in 2008
• Was the 2009 TAPPS 5A district champion in the high jump and finished sixth in the state meet

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Olympic Development Program North Texas State Team from 2004-08
• Attended the 2004 Sub Regional Camp in Oklahoma, and the 2005-07 Region III Camp in Alabama
• Was invited to the 2008 '90 Region III Team Camp
• Helped squad to the '91 ODP Region III championship in 2006
• Club team ranked fourth in North Texas and in the top 20 in Region III
• Was the top scorer in the fall of 2009 with eight goals and four assists

Academic Accomplishments

• Member of the Spanish Club and SADD

Personal

• Born Oct. 24, 1991
• Daughter of Bill and Kim Grider
• Has one sister, Staci who played soccer for UMBC from 1999-03, and one brother, Bill
• Also recruited by: SMU, UTEP, Penn State, Houston, Central Michigan, Bowling Green

Coach Jay Fitzgerald (Nolan Catholic): "Grider has the ability to make effective adjustments especially in and around the 18. She is also a very versatile player that has seen action on both sides of the field, up top with her back to the goal and even in the backline. Her development and knowledge of the game over the past four years is very encouraging as she will be preparing to move to the next level at UCF."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Emily is so smooth on the ball. She can find the goal and is one of the top scorers in Dallas right now. She can play wide, up front, in the middle or even in the back. We are glad to be welcoming her to our UCF family."

Emily Grider on Choosing UCF: "I chose UCF because I loved their soccer program, the campus and school and the warm weather."

Katy Ling
5-3 • M/F
Kent, England (Fort Pitt)
Chelsea Ladies

Club/National Team Accomplishments

• Won three titles with the Chelsea Reserves (League, League Cup, County Cup)
• Teammate of fellow UCF signee Sokhara Goodall with the Chelsea Ladies FC, which competes in England's top women's soccer league, the premiership
• Debuted in her first game for the Chelsea Ladies first team during the 2009-10 season
• Represented Kent County four-straight years at the U14 and U16 levels, where she helped her squad win two-consecutive county championships and the prestigious Umbro International Tournament in 2006-07
• Selected to play in the England U23s end of training camp match
• Played for Charlton Centre of Excellence from 11-16 years old, and was the top goal scorer at each age group
• Attended the Chelsea Ladies Football Academy from 2007 to 2009
• Also played for the West Ham Ladies Firs Team for the 2007-08 season where she led the way with 25 goals and was the player of the year

Academic Accomplishments

• Gifted and talented in PE and geography

Personal

• Born Sept. 23, 1989
• Daughter of Mike and Cheryl Ling
• Has one sibling, Adam

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Katy is a fun player to watch. She's savvy, crafty, good with the ball and extremely creative. She is sophisticated around the goal and we look forward to adding her to our attacking mix."

Katy Ling on Choosing UCF: "I want to play a high standard of football and get a great education."

High School Accomplishments

• Spent the last two years at Ponte Vedra High School and her fresman and sophomore seasons with Nease
• Selected as the MVP of the Timberwolf Classic game against Cardinal Gibbons in her senior year
• Helped Ponte Vedra win the state title over that same Cardinal Gibbons program, and was named the team's defensive MVP and to the all-county team as a junior
• Earned honorable mention honors at the state's final-four tournament

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Club team won the state title in 2006, and made it to the final four three-straight seasons after that championship campaign
• Was the leading scorer for the Region 3 Premier League in 2006
• Also won two Disney Showcase titles, and made the A team for the Olympic Development Program

Academic Accomplishments

• Already enrolled at UCF, graduating early with a spot on the A B Honor Roll

Personal

• Born June 1, 1992
• Daughter of Fred and Stephanie Nicol
• Also recruited by: Florida State, Florida and UNC Greensboro

Coach Mike Walker (First Coast Soccer Association technical director and club coach): "I've had the privilege of coaching Ashley Nicol since she was eight years old and I have not seen a more competitive, driven female player. She leads by example through her play and has the utmost confidence in her abilities as a play maker. I feel Ashley will make a huge difference in an already successful program at UCF, while continuing to strive for her goals of reaching the highest pinnacles of the sport."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Ashley has already enrolled in the spring and I believe that will be a tremendous help to her. She has great size, is very strong in the air and has a very underrated creative side. She could compete to play at any number of positions."

Ashley Nicol on Choosing UCF: "I came to the conclusion that this was the best place for me to play at and to get a good education."

High School Accomplishments

• Nominated for the 2008 NSCAA/adidas All-Regional Team
• Named first team all-state and first team all-conference in 2009
• Also selected first-team all-state in 2009
• Nominated for the 2009 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Competed in the Best of the Midwest and San Diego Surf Cup events in 2009 as well as the Disney Classic in 2010

Personal

• Born Feb. 21, 1991
• Daughter of Bob and Cindy Piercy
• Has two brothers, RJ and Nick

Coach Danny Madrigal (KUFC Knockouts): "Alex Piercy is a true 1v1 artist. She's got skillful moves for every situation. Alex thrives on carving up defenses and creating goal-scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. The thing that I like most about Alex is that she never ever wants to leave the field and she battles for every ball as if the game was on the line at that moment. She does not hold back when it comes to this game, and she makes it look so good in the process."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Alex is extremely creative and brings a different element to our team. She loves to take players on but also has a feisty side to her that will commit to defending and winning the ball back. She can play on the left or the right and could compete to play right away."

High School Accomplishments

• Earned first-team all-area honors at Venice High School, and was the MVP on the offense
• Attended high school in New Jersey before coming to Florida, where she was a two-time first-team all-league and all-state selection

Club/ODP Accomplishments

• Serves as the team captain for FC Sarasota

Academic Accomplishments

• An honor roll student at Venice High School

Personal

• Born Dec. 24, 1991
• Daughter of Robert and Zora Trujic
• Has three siblings, Tanya, Alex and Victoria
• Also recruited by: Charleston, Delaware State, FGCU, Saint Leo, Brandeis, Rutgers

Coach David Quintero (FC Sarasota): "Tina is a quality technical player. She has excellent field vision and an uncanny ability to create space in order to strike the ball aggressively with either foot. Tina is one of the best attacking players I've coached. She uses her right and left foot equally well, she has scored some great goals in her career and will be a great fit for the system at UCF."

UCF Associate Head Coach Colby Hale: "Tina has flown a little under that radar and we believe she could be one of the real steals in the class. She is quick, tough and very creative. She can strike a ball with her left or right foot and is composed in front of goal."

Kristina Trujic on Choosing UCF: "I like the atmosphere and area."