BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Head Women's Soccer Coach Mike Varga announced the addition of 12 signees on Monday Morning.
 
"A common theme with all of these young women is that they are passionate about the sport of soccer, and all are extremely driven to be successful both on the field and in the classroom," said head coach Mike Varga. "We are adding a lot of talent to our program and the future expectations are high. Both of my assistant coaches, Lucy Jeffs Hutto and Rachel Gries have done a tremendous job recruiting during difficult circumstances and I couldn't be more excited about this group and what the future holds for the Gardner-Webb University Women's Soccer Program."
 
Alva Jönsson, Ainsley Sutherland, and Lina Ullen will join the 'Dogs this spring during the offseason. While Savannah Dixon, Chloe Leffler, Camila Lezcano, Sydney Martin, Maddie Sutherland, Myla West, Sadie Thompson, Kaitlyn Huff, and Peyton Bryant will join the Runnin' Bulldogs next fall for the start of the 2022 season. 
 
All the way from Sundsvall, Sweden, the Runnin' Bulldog welcome Alva Jönsson. As an outside back, Jönsson played for Selånger FK, a club that competes in Sweden's first division. Previously, the defender competed with Sundvalls DFF in the Swedish Elitettan.
Varga on Jönsson: "Alva is another player that comes in with a wealth of experience. She is an incredible individual defender and understands how to join in on the attack. She has the versatility to play a variety of roles for us, and the tactical understanding of how to play those roles based on the system that we play."
Jönsson on joining Gardner-Webb: "I'm very excited and thankful for this opportunity to become a Runnin' Bulldog next spring."
 
Ainsley Sutherland comes to Boiling Springs from Oakboro, North Carolina, where she plays for Charlotte Independence S.C. and Northwest Cabarrus High School as a striker. During the 2019-2020 season, Sutherland was named to the U.S. South Region ODP Team, representing the region in Costa Rica.
Varga on Sutherland: "Ainsley is an attacking threat.  She has the pace and the strength to set up goal-scoring chances for herself and for her teammates. She has the versatility to play centrally and also the tools to be an effective winger.  Ainsley will be a welcome addition to our attack and to our program."
Sutherland of joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose Gardner-Webb because it is somewhere that I feel I can be athletically and academically successful."
 
From Dorotea, Sweden, Lina Ullen makes her way to Gardner-Webb as a center back. The Swedish defender played for IFK Östersund, a club in the women's first division, who recently wrapped up their season finishing in third place.                                  Varga on Ullen: "​​Lina has played at a high level in Sweden and has proven to be an effective Center Back.  She has the technical ability to help us improve our ability to keep the ball and she reads the game very well in terms of her positioning as a defender. Lina will step in and make an immediate impact on our program."         
  Ullen on joining Gardner-Webb: "I am so thankful for this opportunity and very excited to become a Runnin' Bulldog this spring!"
 
Savannah Dixon comes to Gardner-Webb from Raleigh, North Carolina, where she played under Head Coach Meryssa Weyer at Athens Drive High School. The four-year letterman has also been a part of North Carolina's ODP team, making it to the South Region Camp twice. Dixon continues her hard work and success to the classroom as a member of National Honor Society.
Varga on Dixon: "Savannah is an incredibly hard worker that will also make her teammates better. Savannah has gained valuable experience at the club level and representing the state of North Carolina at the regional level through the Olympic Development Program. Savannah is another wonderful addition to our program."
Dixon on joining Gardner-Webb: "From the moment I started talking to Coach Varga, to the moment I walked on campus for the first time I knew instantly GWU was the place for me. Everyone was so welcoming, and every conversation came with ease. I knew that GWU would be the place for me not only to strengthen my relationship with Christ but to ready me for the future."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs are proud to welcome Chloe Leffler from New Bern, North Carolina. On the New Bern High School team as a keeper, Leffler played on the varsity squad all four years under Head Coach Tim Guter, earning numerous awards including All-Conference honors and named to the All-State and All-Region Team. The goalkeeper played for the Wilmington Hammerheads F.C. at the ECNL level, while also representing North Carolina's ODP state team, making multiple appearances at the South Region Camp.
Varga on Leffler: "Chloe has the ability to make difficult saves look easy. She also has the ability to organize and understand how to communicate with her backline and stop the opponent's threat before it starts. Chloe is dedicated and driven to be a top-level goalkeeper and that will not only help her achieve her goals but will help her teammates become better."
Leffler on joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose Gardner-Webb University because the athletic and academic environment aligned with the goals, I set for my college career. I truly believe this program, staff, and team can further my athletic career while fulfilling my academic needs at the next level."
 
Camila Lezcano comes from Miami, Florida, and is excited to join The Webb. Lezcano has been a member of the ODP South Region team for past few years, and most recently represented the region in Costa Rica. Recently, after attending an ODP Interregional event representing the South Region, Camila was invited to the ODP National Training Center, that will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida at the end of January, where only 22 players across the nation are selected to attend. Calmila plays for Miami FC under head coach Ander Urkidi.
Varga on Lezcano: "Camila has the tools and experience to have a lot of success with our program. Camila's athletic ability combined with her technique makes her a special player that can be a vital addition or our roster both as an outside back and as a winger."
Lezcano on joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose GWU because I truly felt like it was Gods calling on my life to continue both my academic and soccer career at such an amazing program where I felt like I could truly thrive in."
 
Out of Colleyville, Texas, Sydney Martin will be joining the GWU squad next fall. The midfielder played for the D'Feeters S.C. ECNL team. While playing for the D'Feeters, the team was ranked #1 in North Texas and were recent State Cup Champs in 2021. Martin is also a four-years letterman at Grapevine Senior High School.  During Martin's sophomore season, she was named to the All-District Second Team and to the All-District First-Team as a junior.
Varga on Martin: "Sydney is a central midfielder with incredible vision. She has the ability to help in possession with her comfort on the ball and her technical ability. She also has the ability to play the ball behind the opponent with accuracy if the opportunity presents itself."
Martin on joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose Gardner-Webb because of the coaches and the environment; I'd never felt more well-received and loved."
 
Maddie Sutherland comes to Gardner-Webb from Louisville, Kentucky, as a four-year varsity member for Assumption High School. Under Head Coach Tammy Hailey, Sutherland primarily played as a midfielder, where she earned an All-Region Honorable Mention and was named All-District Player of the Year in 2021. Sutherland plays for Javanon FC, the 2021 Kentucky State Cup Champions and 2021 Great Lakes Conference Champions and boast a club record of 54-9-4 over the last 3 seasons. 
Maddie also earned the opportunity to train with Manchester City F.C. and the England National Team in 2018.
Varga on Sutherland: "Maddie is a gifted athlete that can create problems for opponents with her pace alone. Add her ability with the ball and she becomes and a handful for defenders. Maddie is dangerous in wide areas off the dribble and will definitely add to our attack."
 Sutherland on joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose Gardner-Webb University because it offers me a strong Christian community which allows me to enhance my spiritual walk with Christ, as well as an amazing opportunity to play the game I love at a high level."
 
Myla West comes to Gardner-Webb from Surf City, North Carolina, where she plays for the Wilmington Hammerheads U19 ECNL team and Topsail High School under Head Coach Taylor Maready. West was a varsity starter during her four-year career at Topsail, earning an Honorable Mention Honors twice.
 Varga on West: "Myla is another versatile player. Myla has the technical ability and comfort on the ball to play in tight space but will probably be most effective for us in wide areas. Myla has a tremendous drive and willingness to be the best soccer player she can be and will add a lot to our program both on and off the field."
Myla on joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose GWU because it felt like home the second I stepped on campus. Everyone was so welcoming, and I knew it was a program I wanted to be a part of."
 
Sadie Thompson joins the Runnin' Bulldogs from Charlotte, North Carolina. The midfielder is a four-year captain for CSA ECNL Blue Regional who recently the 2021 ECNL Regional and 2021 ECNL Mid-Atlantic Regional Champions. For her high school career at Metrolina Christian Academy, Thompson was named all-conference three times for the 2021 Conference Champions.
Varga on Thompson: "Sadie has incredible vision as a central midfielder. She has good passing range and will adjust quickly to the speed of play at the collegiate level. Sadie can play a variety of roles in the central midfield.  She can create chances and she has the ability to score from distance. She also has the ability and desire to put in the work required to defend in the midfield as well." 
Thompson on joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose Gardner-Webb University because it offers me a strong Christian community which allows me to enhance my spiritual walk with Christ, as well as an amazing opportunity to play the game I love at a high level."
 
Gardner-Webb is excited for Kaitlyn Huff, a winger out of Richmond County, North Carolina, to join the team next fall. A member of the North Carolina F.C. ECNL Elite, Huff was part of the squad that went on to win state and compete at regionals. Huff has also been a part of the states ODP team, receiving an invite to the South Region Camp. For her high school team, the winger has been a four-year varsity player, leading her team in goals three of those years, and being named to the all-conference team.
Varga on Huff: "Kaitlyn has the pace to stretch the opponents back line and the ability to create off the dribble which makes her dangerous in wide areas. Kaitlyn has missed the past season due to injury, but I have no doubt that she will come back stronger than she was before and ready to play. I have no doubt that Kaitlyn's best soccer is ahead of her, and I look forward to watching her continue to develop and grow as a player."
Huff on joining Gardner-Webb: "I chose Gardner Webb to further my academic and athletic career. It felt like home to me when I stepped on campus."
 
Peyton Bryant will be coming to The Webb from Mooresville, North Carolina. As a captain for the Charlotte Independence S.C., she helped her team to two state championships and three regional appearances. The four-year varsity midfielder will finish her senior year at South Iredell High Schools before coming to Gardner-Webb in the fall.
 Varga on Bryant: "Peyton is the ideal central midfielder. She is not afraid of the physical part of defending in the midfield and she is good in possession. Peyton has the passing range to change the point of attack and the simple movement off the ball to help her team in possession. She also has the ability to score from distance and will compete right away for a spot in our midfield."
Bryant on joining Gardner-Webb: "I wanted to be at a school that would challenge me both athletically and academically, and Gardner Webb was the best fit for me. I love the environment and I feel like it is a place that will help me grow as a person and as an athlete."
 
For the latest on Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer, follow @gwuwsoc on social media or visit GWUSports.com.