Gardner-Webb Signs Four Student-Athletes
June 09, 2008 | Women's Soccer
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb women's soccer team has signed four student-athletes for the upcoming school year, as announced by head coach Kevin Mounce and the Gardner-Webb athletics department.
Melissa Malone, Paige Reagan, Megan Tremblay and Jessica Tuggle have all decided to continue their soccer careers while getting an education here at Gardner-Webb.
Malone is a native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., where she played at American Heritage H.S. (as did GWU rising junior Karissa Jensen). As a freshman, she helped guide the program to a state championship. She nearly repeated the feat as a sophomore, leading the squad to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the state finals. During her junior campaign, Malone and her team reached the state semifinals. While playing club ball, the 5-8 defender led the West Pines United team to the Norcross Nike Cup championship. She also helped the team shut down the opposition during the team's quest for the gold medal at the West Pines Kick-off.
"Melissa is a tall defender who is good in the air," Mounce said. "She has battled through a lot of adversity and has tremendous character. Her leadership skills are very important for us. Melissa is a good addition to our team."
Reagan, a 5-7 forward from Sherwood Christian Academy in Albany, Ga., should add immediate firepower to the Bulldogs' offense. A three-time all-region selection, Reagan earned all-state honors as a freshman while leading her school to the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Reagan holds the school record for single-game scoring, goals in a season, career goals and career assists. On the club circuit, Reagan was just as impressive as she guided her Tallahassee United Futbol Club team to the Holland Cup title while also helping the team reach the Orange Classic finals.
"Paige is a strong forward," Mounce said. "She is able to beat the defense off her dribble. Paige can finish with either foot and will be a great fit for our team."
Tremblay, a 5-3 midfielder from Jacksonville, Fla., attended Bartram Trail H.S. There, she was a four-year letterwinner and a North Region all-star selection as a senior. A first-team all-conference honoree, Tremblay also earned First Coast all-star accolades. Tremblay guided her team to its first-ever district title as a freshman and then helped her team win its first-ever state playoff game as a sophomore. Tremblay led her JYSC Fury club team to the Region III Premier League Championship in 2007.
"Megan loves to get in on defensive battles," Mounce said. "She can go out there and win the 50-50 balls for us. If we need her to, she can push forward. Megan can also track someone down defensively. She sees the field well and is a smart player. Megan is the type of player we need in our program."
Tuggle is a 5-3 goalkeeper who hails from Westland, Mich. Tuggle will be a junior when she steps onto campus this fall, having spent her first two collegiate seasons playing for Schoolcraft Junior College. While playing for Schoolcraft, Tuggle led her team to a No. 8 ranking at the national tournament. During her high school days at Ladywood H.S., she earned all-state honorable mention honors as a senior after having been named to the all-district team as a junior.
"Jessica may not be the biggest goalkeeper, but she is technically sound," Mounce said. "She makes good saves and has good hands. After helping Schoolcraft make the national tournament the last two years, she will come in and push the rest of the goalkeepers and has the possibility of starting."
The Bulldogs are coming off a 7-11-0 overall record and a 5-6
mark in their last year in the Atlantic Sun Conference. This year,
GWU will begin play in the Big South Conference.
