Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer Welcomes New Runnin' Bulldogs for 2014 Season
May 09, 2014 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Head coach Mike Varga and Gardner-Webb's women's soccer program continued to add to an impressive haul attained during the offseason, gaining the pledges of six new student-athletes who will continue their athletic and academic careers as Runnin' Bulldogs starting in the Fall of 2014.
Nicholette Bottoms, Claire Cabaniss, Krista Chauvin, Sydney Clark, Jacqueline Kim, and Sara Odembo have signed on with Gardner-Webb beginning in the Fall of 2014.
Nicholette Bottoms will add depth to GWU's goalkeeper position. She earned all Honorable Mention All-District distinction as a varsity starter at Princess Anne High School (Virginia Beach, Va.) her freshman year and went on to earn 1st Team All-District and 2nd Team All-Region status for the U-16 ECNL All-Event Team (San Antonio, Texas) during her sophomore year.
As a junior, Bottoms' work in goal led to her being named as the Cavalier's Defensive MVP as well as 1st Team All-District, 2nd Team All-Region, and 1st Team All-Tidewater. Bottoms competed for the Virginia Rush club team.
Claire Cabaniss (Shelby, N.C.) is a four-year starter at Burns High School, having helped the Lady Bulldogs to consecutive Conference Championships as a freshman, sophomore and junior. As a senior, Cabaniss has led Burns to an undefeated record thus far in pursuit of a fourth straight title.
Cabaniss is a three-time All-Conference and All-Region 10 selection. Named as the South Mountain Athletic Conference's Player of the Year as a sophomore, Cabaniss has scored 92 goals and dished out 60 assists in her career Burns.
Cabaniss also served as captain for the GCCSA Cobras club team in 2012 and 2013, leading her team to a Tournament Championship (2012) and Co-Championship (2013), respectively. Cabaniss plans to major in Healthcare Management.
Krista Chauvin, a 5'7" goalkeeper from Seekonk, Mass., started in goal for NCAA Division III UMASS Dartmouth in 2011-12 and registered a .84 goals against average for an 11-5-2 team in 2012. She led the Little East Conference and ranked 11th nationally with 11 shutouts in 18 total games in 2012. Chauvin was named First Team All-LEC in 2012 and landed on the League's All-Academic Team.
Also in 2012, Chauvin was selected to represent the United States in an International Soccer Tour in Italy on the 2012 AIST Women's Collegiate Team.
Prior to her career at UMASS Dartmouth, Chauvin was a four-year varsity starter at Seekonk (Mass.) High School and served as Team Captain her junior and senior seasons. Chauvin was named as an All-Star by the Sun Chronicle all four years at Seekonk H.S. and left her school holding records for GAA, save %, and career shutouts.
Sydney Clark (Powder Springs, Ga.) started all four years at Hillgrove High School under coach Shannon Center. The talented player was voted as her team's Rookie of the Year as a freshman and received the Coach's Award during her sophomore season.
As a junior, Clark was named as Hillgrove's "Will To Win Athlete." Clark, who earned Team MVP honors during her senior year at Hillgrove, played club soccer for SSA Elite '96 under coach Ben Parks. Clark helped her club team reach a No. 4 ranking in the state of Georgia.
Jacqueline Kim (Chesapeke, Va.) comes to Gardner-Webb after attending VCU in 2013. She was held out due to injury and was unable to suit up for the Rams last season. Prior to enrolling at VCU, Kim played for Hickory High School as well as the Virginia Rush ECNL Nike club team, who she helped guide to the 2013 Southeastern District Championship.
Kim was named to the 2013 Chesapeake Scholar Athletes Superintendent's Team and the 2013 Virginia Pilot's All-Tidewater Girl's Soccer Team. She also earned 1st Team All Southeastern District, 1st Team All-Eastern Region, and 2nd Team Group AAA All State designation in 2013.
The speedy defender also owns a school record (2013) in track & field for her part in the team's 4x400 m relay.
Sara Odembo (Shelby, N.C.) started at nearby Crest High School for head coach Zach Wortman. In 2012, Odembo earned First Team All-Conference and was named the team's Defensive MVP in leading the Chargers to a Conference Championship. Odembo was voted as the Team MVP as a senior.
Odembo also boasts three years of club experience. She competed for Charlotte Soccer Academy's Premier team in 2011 and Charlotte Elite Soccer Academy's Premier team in 2012. Under coach Dan Dudley, Odembo played for Charlotte Soccer Academy's Region III Premier team in 2014.
Odembo, an 'A' Honor Roll student at Crest, participated in Key Club, Fish, FCA, Student Council, Broad River Community Church Youth Group, Young Life, and Spanish Club.
With the addition of the new Runnin' Bulldogs, Varga brings the 2014 recruiting class total to 15. Including Kim, three of the additions for the 2014 roster are transfers all hailing from Division I institutions.
