BOONE, N.C. – Head Soccer Coach
Aimee Haywood announced the addition of eight newcomers to the program, ahead of the 2024 season, as part of National Signing Day on November 8.
The team is coming off a record-setting 2023 campaign, in which they posted a program-best third place finish in the Sun Belt, while registering their most wins since 2018, including a program-best eight shutouts.
"I'm thrilled to welcome this year's recruiting class," Haywood said. "This group is a special one, and I'm excited to see how they elevate our program to even higher levels, along with the group that we have returning."
Walker Bristow – Midfielder | Richmond, Va. | Richmond United
A native of Richmond, Va., Bristow comes to the High Country after competing for Richmond United, where she led her team to a third-place finish at 2021 ECNL National Tournament, and an elite eight appearance in 2022. She also competed for Douglas S. Freeman High School, where she paced her team with 23 goals and 12 assists last spring, on her way to earning All-State, All-Metro, and First Team All-Region honors. Bristow chose App State because of the energy and culture created by both the coaching staff and the players, as well as the beautiful campus. No stranger to college athletics, Bristow's older sister, Carter, competed on the swim team at Virginia, while her dad, John, was a member of the tennis team at North Carolina.
Ellie Garrison – Forward/Midfielder | Trinity, N.C. | NC Fusion
One of the top goal-scorers in North Carolina soccer history, Garrison joins the Mountaineers after winning the North Carolina Golden Boot Award following a sensational 2023 spring season. She set the state record by scoring 96 goals on the season for Wheatmore High School, after finishing third in state history by scoring 77 goals in 2022. She was named to the All-State team following both years. While playing at the club level for the North Carolina Fusion, she led the team to the USYS State Championship, and helped her squad qualify for the National Playoffs each of the last two years. Off the field, Garrison is a Beta Club member, a Junior Marshall, and an honor roll student. She chose App State for the atmosphere and school spirit.
Skylar Gindlesperger – Midfielder/Defender | Buford, Ga. | United Futbol Academy
A four-year varsity starter at Seckinger High School, Gindlesperger was named a 2022 First Team All-Region selection, in addition to being named a Scholar Athlete in 2023, when she ranked in the top-two percent of her class. An exceptional student, Gindlesperger was also an AP Scholar with Honor and a National Honor Society member. On the field, she was a Captain of Georgia's Olympic Development Team and a member of the United Futbol Academy where she helped her team to a third-place finish in the Southeast Conference at the 2022-23 ENCL Playoffs. She chose App State for its tight-knit community and school spirit as well as the team's commitment to collective growth. In addition to her soccer accomplishments, Gindlesperger has run multiple half-marathons with her mom, Rebecca.
Reagan Hamilton – Midfielder | Franklin, Tenn. | Tennessee Soccer Club
Following a decorated career at Page High School in Franklin, Tenn., Hamilton will make her way across the mountain to Boone. She began her high school career by being named the conference rookie of the year in 2020, and followed that up by earning first team All-District honors in 2021 and 2022. Hamilton also played club soccer for the Tennessee Soccer Club, leading her team to nationals this past season, in addition to participating in the Southern Region Olympic Development Program. In the classroom, Hamilton is a four-year honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. She chose App State for the atmosphere, team culture and coaching staff.
Anna Claire Jacobi – Goalkeeper | Milton, Ga. | Concorde Fire
The third ranked goalkeeper in the South Atlantic Conference by Top Drawer soccer for the class of 2024, Jacobi was also rated as the 33
rd best player overall by the publication. Jacobi led Concorde Fire Platinum to five ENCL Southeast Conference Championships, and served as a team captain for two seasons. In addition to her success on the field, Jacobi is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club. She chose App State because she felt that the program struck the perfect balance between competitive athletics and a fun college experience.
Lauren Smith – Defender | Reidsville, N.C. | NC Fusion
Smith comes to Boone after competing at Rockingham County High School and for the North Carolina Fusion. An outstanding student, Smith is a member of the National Honor Society and National BETA Club, as well as earning the Superintendent Award for her efforts in the classroom. On the field, she was named the Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman, before earning Offensive Player of the Year honors the following season. She has also collected All-State, All-Region and All-Conference honors. She likewise was named ECNL Second Team All-Conference, helping the Fusion to the Round of 16 at the ECNL Playoffs. Her sister Rachel plays college softball at Radford. She chose App State because of the atmosphere in Boone and the culture, energy and family-environment around the soccer program.
Sydney Snowden – Defender | Chandler, Ariz. | Utah Royals
The furthest-traveled signee, Snowden joins the Mountaineers from Chandler, Ariz., where she has competed for Perry High School and the Utah Royals. Snowden has earned All-District and All-Region honors as a three-year varsity starter on her high school team. She has also helped her club team earn a spot in the playoffs. Off the field, Snowden is an honor roll student and is the President of her school's Athletic Council, in addition to serving as the captain of her team. Snowden chose App State for its environment and positive energy, as well as the welcoming nature of the staff and players alike.
Kylee Thompson – Forward | Huntersville, N.C. | Charlotte Independence
An accomplished player at both the high school and club levels, Thompson was an All-State selection at William Amos Hough, where she led her team to three Queen City Conference Championships, in addition to earning All-Region and All-Conference recognition. With Charlotte Independence, Thompson earned the Remarkable XI Award and was named an ECNL Player to Watch in the Mid-Atlantic Region. She chose App State because she loves the mountains and felt a strong sense of community and belonging in Boone. Her brother, Ty, is also a collegiate athlete, playing football at the University of Charleston.
