BOONE, N.C. - The App State women's soccer coaching staff is excited to announce the 2021 signing class.
The Mountaineers will bring in nine players from North Carolina, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
"I'm so excited to announce our 2020 signing class," coach Strickland said. "This group is balanced with defenders, midfielders, and forwards that have all competed and experienced success at the highest level. We have multiple student-athletes in this class with youth national training center experience and several that have represented our country in international competition. We are ready for them to get to Boone and make an immediate impact on the field, in the classroom, on our campus and in our community."
Addison Cooper | 5-4 | Midfielder | Cary, N.C. | Green Hope High School
A four-year letterwinner at Green Hope, Cooper was a 4A All-Conference and all-region member back-to-back years in her freshman and sophomore seasons. She was named team captain her senior season and earned the coach's award her sophomore year. Took part in the Olympic Development program, capturing honors in the 2019 ODP Pool and playing with the 2020 ODP USA Soccer international team in England. Born on July 21, 2003, Addie is the daughter of Tom and Jenn Cooper. She has one sibling, Sam.
Riley Cox | 5-5 | Midfielder/Defender | Summerville, S.C.| Pinewood Prep
Cox, the four-year letterwinner from Summerville, was an all-state and all-region selection at Pinewood Prep. She was named Rookie of the Year, the team's Most Valuable Player (sophomore), and showcased her leadership as she was named the team captain in her junior and senior seasons. For the Jacksonville Armada of the ECNL, she made the ECNL Players to Watch list in 2018, while helping her squad capture the Southeast Conference title. Her team advanced to nationals the same season in San Diego and Seattle. Cox participated in the ODP Region 3 Pool in 2015 and took part in the National Training Camp in 2015 as well. Born on Dec. 30, 2002, Riley is the daughter of Eric and Debra Terrill and has two siblings.
Grace Giacoletto | 5-3 | Center/Midfield | Troy, Ill. | Triad High School
Giacoletto plays her high school soccer under Matt Bettlach at Triad High School. The senior captain is a three-year letter winner. While playing for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois, she was invited to the U.S. Soccer Training Center back-to-back years. Born on April 7, 2003, Grace is the daughter of Scott and Heather Giacoletto. She has one sibling.
Carly Lantz | 5-4 | Midfield/Forward | Athens, Ga. | North Oconee High School
Lantz plays at North Oconee under Ben Grassmyer. She had a solid sophomore season, where she was named to the Region Eight 4A All-Region First Team and was nominated to the Georgia High School All-Star game. She also earned honorable mention honors to the Athens Banner-Herald All-Area squad. Lantz was named the team's senior captain going into the campaign. For the United Futbol Academy, Carly helped her team capture the 2017 Georgia State Cup championship and the NPL Southeast Regional title. Lantz led the team in scoring as well. Born on Feb. 13, 2003, Carly is the daughter of Lisa Lantz and Shelley Nuss, and she has one sibling. Her interests include snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking and traveling. Her mother golfed at North Texas.
Kelly Nelson | 5-7 | Defender | Cooper City, Fla. | Cooper City High School
Nelson plays at Cooper City under coach Coleman. She was named to the Miami Herald All-First Team and named Sun Sentinel First-Team All-County. The future Mountaineer scored 21 goals her junior campaign. Nelson made the 2020 All-Broward County First Team, scoring 18 goals in 20 matches and adding seven assists.She played her travel ball with Sunrise FC Prime under coach Russ. Born on May 24, 2003, Nelson is the daughter of Elsa Nelson. She has one sibling.
Avery Quoyeser | 5-6 | Midfielder | Lafayette, La. | St. Thomas More
In three seasons, Quoyeser was named a two-time all-state honoree as well as a two-time all-region selection and three-time all-district member. She was named the team captain for the 2021 season. Thus far, she's amassed 25 goals and 50 assists in her career. While playing for the Cajun Rush under Dave Lapeyrouse, she was a 2018 Region III semifinals and a U19 National Premier League finalist. Born on Oct. 15, 2002, she is the daughter of Jared and Mary Quoyeser. Avery has two siblings. Her hobbies include wake surfing, surfing and hiking. Her father ran cross country and track and field at Louisiana. Her grandfather, Camille, played football, ran track and field and golfed at the University of Southwest Louisiana.
Sophia Southerland | 5-5 | Midfielder | Castle Hayne, N.C. | John T. Hoggard
Southerland is a four-year letterwinner at John T. Hoggard under Justin Schatz. She was named all-conference, all-area and honorable mention. The in-state native helped the Vikings capture four straight conference titles and appeared in the state semifinals. Last season, she scored four goals with three assists in four matches (COVID-shortened season). As a member of the Wilmington Hammerheads, she helped the team make the national playoffs the last two years. They also played four international contests in England, as they faced the Crystal Palace Club Team. She tallied nine goals and seven assists over the last two seasons. Born on June 24, 2003, Sophia is the daughter of Steve and Leah Southerland. She has one sibling. Her sister, Siara, currently plays soccer at Campbell. Her father played baseball in college. Her interests include wakeboarding, boating and ceramics. She was on the honor's list with all A's.
Skyler Walk | 5-3 | Midfielder | Matthews, N.C. | Providence High School
A three-year letterwinner at Providence High School under Robb Bolar, Walk has earned numerous awards. She was named all-conference back-to-back years her freshman and sophomore seasons while being named all-region and all-state her sophomore campaign. Walk earned the Darius Johnson award her freshman year and the team's Offensive Most Valuable Player honor her sophomore campaign. In 20 matches, she has scored 21 goals and recorded 12 assists. For the Charlotte Soccer Academy, she's totaled 14 scores, while leading her team to the 2019 regional finals in Baton Rouge, La. In 2015, 2016 and 2018, her squad won the CSA Cup championships. Born on March 7, 2003, Skyler is the daughter of Gregory Robert Walk. She has two siblings. She likes to do service projects with her friends.
Sarah Widderich | 5-2 | Midfielder | Mebane, N.C. | Eastern Alamance High School
Widderich is currently enrolled in school and on the team. She put forth a solid high school career at Eastern Alamance, where was named all-conference her freshman season after an impressive 20 goals and 14 assists for 84 points. Widderich averaged 1.2 goals per contest and just under one assist per contest. In her sophomore campaign, she was named all-conference, first-team all-region and all-state following an even better year with 36 scores and 20 helpers for 92 points. She tallied four goals and seven helpers in her junior campaign. Widderich played for NC Fusion of the ECNL, garnering the Most Improved Player award in 2017 before her breakout year in 2018, landing on the all-conference list and claiming club Player of the Year honors. The freshman upped her goal and assist total with 16 goals and 10 assists after three and two her previous year, respectively. Her junior year she scored 12 times with 16 assists, while posting eight goals and five helpers her senior year. Born on Dec. 27, 2002, Widderich is the daughter of Kevin and Amy Widderich and has two siblings.
