Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer Program Adds Seven to the Fold
February 24, 2014 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb's head women's soccer coach Mike Varga, in conjunction with the University's athletics department, is pleased to announce the signings of seven student-athletes who will continue their athletic and academic careers as Runnin' Bulldogs.
The women's soccer program received NLI's from Irina Briquet, Emily Burton, Jessica Ferguson, Ashelin Hunt, Callie Mills, Annie Ross, and Sydney Vincent-Gobble.
Irina Briquet competed for four years at AC Flora (Columbia, S.C.) H.S. The competitive, hard-working player also played for the Carolina Elite Soccer Association ECNL U-17 team in 2013-14. Prior to her time on the U-18 team, Briquet competed for the Lexington United Soccer Club Elite U-17 and U-16 teams from 2011-13.
The new Runnin' Bulldog has played competitively since 2006, starting at the South Carolina United Football Club Elite teams (2006-2009) before transitioning to the South Carolina Untited Football Club Palmetto teams from 2009-11.
"When I met the girls Gardner-Webb University, I fell in love immediately," said Briquet. "I love the campus too and believe I will enjoy working for Coach Varga. They all made me feel so welcome."
Emily Burton (Westerville, Ohio) started four years at Olentangy Orange (Oh.) High School. The 5'8" midfielder was named OCC Player of the Year in 2013 as her team's captain and MVP. Burton was a First-Team All-Conference honoree in addition to earning Second-Team All-District honors in 2013. Prior to her senior season, Burton earned Special Mention (2012) and Second-Team All-OCC (2011) at Olentangy.
Burton also competed for the Classic Eagles club team, having spent the past nine years with the team. In 2013, Burton led the Eagles to a Regionals appearance. Individually, Burton earned a spot at the Regional ODP Camp in 2011.
The daughter of Scott and Jane Burton, Burton was born in Westerville, Ohio. She has an older brother, Conner, attends Ohio State University.
Jessica Ferguson (Lawrence, Kan.) started at forward for highly successful high school and club teams prior to inking her name to play for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Ferguson was the leading scorer for Lawrence Free State (Kan.) H.S. as a sophomore and junior, helping her squad excel in the 6A Sunflower League. Behind Ferguson's goal-scoring prowess, the high school team won a Regional Championship in 2012.
In the club arena, Ferguson started as a forward for two years at the Kansas Rush Wolves Academy under the direction of coach Daouda Kante, scoring 22 goals in 2012 and registering 20 goals to go with 11 assists in 2013. As a part of the Kansas Rush Wolves, Ferguson became a 2013 State Cup Champion, a 2014 State Cup Finalist, a 1st place finisher in the Heartland League in 2012-13, a semifinalist in the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup in 2013, and a 1st place finisher in the MRL in 2013.
Ferguson is the daughter of Patrick and Anne Ferguson and has two younger siblings, Andrew and Olivia. Upon enrolling at GWU, Jessica plans to major in chemistry with a Spanish minor.
Ashelin Hunt comes to Gardner-Webb from nearby Crest High School. Hunt competed for the Chargers' J.V. squad at the beginning of her freshman season prior to being moved up to join the Varsity squad as a freshman. In her first full season as a varsity player during her sophomore campaign, Hunt was named as Crest's Rookie of the Year.
At Crest, Hunt started at the forward position in addition to seeing time at the midfield position. The versatile play Hunt provided the Chargers played a major impact in the team winning a conference championship in 2011. The championship mindset carried over to her club play with the GCCSA's Cobras, a team Hunt helped to become tournament champions (2012) and tournament co-champions (2013) in her career.
A National Society of High School Scholars member and an NFL Wharton School of Business Leadership Program Participant in 2013, Hunt is as active off the soccer pitch as she is on it. She has participated in the Cleveland County Arts Council as a Nurturing Args Camp Volunteer from 2009-13 and volunteered for the Philippines' typhoon relief program.
Callie Mills (Florence, S.C.) was a three-time All-Region performer at West Florence (S.C.) High School. A tremendous attacker who can play both at forward as well as in the midfield, Mills racked up 82 goals and 92 assists in a high school career that included Offensive MVP accolades. Mills was All-Region from 2011-13 and served as Team Captain in 2013 and 2014.
Additionally, Mills competed for South Carolina United 95 Elite and adds South Carolina ODP (2010-13) to her resume. The hard-working student-athlete built a 4.5 cumulative GPA in high school and was a member of both the National Honor Society and the Beta Club.
Annie Ross (Cairo, Ga.) starred as a forward at Cairo High School. In her three-year career to date, Ross has already cemented her name in the Cairo record books as the school's all-time leading scorer with 126 goals scored. Having dished out 48 assists in her career as well, Ross is a proven front-runner who has helped CHS win three consecutive Regional Championships and reach the State Quarterfinals with a No. 5 Georgia ranking in 2013. Ross is a three-time offensive MVP for Cairo, a two-time Regional Offensive Player of the Year, a two-time Georgia High School All-Star, and a Regional Player of the Year (2013).
The 2013 Georgia Class 4A Player of the Year, Ross also competed for the SSA Chelsea 96 Elite club out of Cobb County, Ga.
In addition to her play on the pitch, Ross served as a member of her high school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Key Club, Student Council, and National Honor Society.
Sydney Vincent-Gobble comes to Gardner-Webb after playing at Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas) High School. The midfield specialist played a versatile role at Oak Ridge, seeing time as a midfielder as well as a forward for the War Eagles.
In the club ranks, Vincent-Gobble saw time most recently in the South Texas ODP Poll and has played for the Texas Rush ECNL U-16 team as well as the Texas Rush SCL U-15 team under the guidance of coach Andrew Squire. Prior to her time playing for Texas Rush, Vincent-Gobble played for the Challenge SC U-15 and U-16 teams.
Off the pitch, Vincent-Gobble earned a 3.7 GPA in the classroom. A diligent student-athlete in all phases, Vincent-Gobble also worked as a Safety Ambassador.
In addition to signing six student-athletes who begin their freshman seasons in the Fall of 2014, Gardner-Webb and Varga have brought in two transfers to compete for the Runnin' Bulldogs this coming season: Jane Mayer and Bri Nagle. As freshmen, both Mayer and Nagle were a part of a South Alabama squad that ended the regular season with a 13-5-2 record as well as a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Jane Mayer (Gulfport, Miss.) is a 5'5" defender who will come to Boiling Springs eligible to compete right away after one season at South Alabama.
Prior to joining the Jaguars, Mayer played for Gulfport (Miss.) H.S., where she led the Admirals to the 5A District and South State Championships in 2008. Mayer earned team MVP honors her junior and senior seasons at Gulfport. Also a member of Gulf Coast United club team, Mayer is the daughter of Roman and Kathleen Mayer who has two sisters, her twin sister Karin and Victoria.
Bri Nagle (Chesapeake, Va.), a defender who stands at 5'7," will join the Runnin' Bulldogs ready to contribute immediately in the Fall of 2014.
At Grassfield (Va.) High School, Nagle produced on both the offensive and defensive sides of the pitch. As a freshman, Nagle led Grassfield and ranked 8th in the district in scoring. A Superintendent Scholar Athlete award recipient, Nagle earned First-Team All-District honors as a sophomore, her first full season as a defender. Nagle is the daughter of Edward Nagle and Lynn Duffee who has two sisters, Meghan and Rebecca.
