The 2023 USCAA Division I National Champion Shaw University Women's Soccer Program is pleased to announce 19 roster additions for the 2024 season, announced Head Women's Soccer Coach Dr. Randy McClure.

"Following the loss of 12 seniors, including 7 starters, to graduation, we are fortunate to have a recruiting class coming in that will continue the program's success," Dr. McClure said. "We couldn't be more excited about this group. The players hail from all over the U.S. and countries abroad, and they bring a wealth of experience to the women's soccer program at Shaw."

Litzy Alvarado is a transfer defender from Jacksonville College in Texas. From Springfield, Va., Alvarado played in 14 games in the 2023 season for Jacksonville, making 14 starts and regularly playing all 90 minutes. McClure comments, "After losing 3 starters from our 2023 championship team, I knew we had to add experience to our back line. Litzy not only gives us that, but she is a gritty, tenacious defender. She's a natural competitor."

Natalia Avalos is a transfer defender from Salem University. Currently living in Anchorage, Alaska, Avalos showed off her utility in her previous two seasons at the DII level. Avalos played in 27 games over the past two years, starting all 14 games she played in during the 2023 season. "Natalia is a versatile player who can play anywhere in the midfield and back line," McClure notes, "She brings the experience and work ethic that fits in well with who we are at ShawU."

Eva Baana is a freshman forward from Évry-Courcouronnes, France. Baana currently plays in England for well-known Watford, where she has been the team's top goal scorer for the past 3 seasons and been named player of the year twice by her teammates. Coach McClure says of her, "Eva just knows how to score goals. She is a composed and confident attacker, and she will present problems for other teams through her ability to break down defenses."

Claudia Perez Brito is a transfer goalkeeper from La Laguna University. Perez Brito is an experienced goalkeeper from Tenerife, Spain, having played at the highest youth levels in her country. "We noticed right away that she is very comfortable playing the ball with her feet, even under pressure. Claudia has good positional awareness, movement, and agility, which will transition well to the American game. We expect her to provide us with one of the deepest goalkeeping groups in the region," says McClure.

Kennedy Bryant is a freshman midfielder from Lawrenceville, Ga. Comfortable in defending and attacking roles, Bryant won many awards from her high school and club competitions. Bryant, a four-year letter winner at Discovery High School, also competed at the elite club level. "What struck me right away about Kennedy was how comfortable and quick she is on the ball. She works incredibly hard defensively but can also get forward with pace. She has a complete game," McClure comments.

Adaija Cypress is a freshman midfielder from Havelock, N.C. Cypress starred at Havelock High School, where she earned both all-conference and all-district honors. "Adaija was an absolute workhorse for her high school team," comments McClure. "She was the anchor of the back line. We saw right away that she knew how to read the game and anticipate attacking actions. The soccer IQ is there for sure."

Audrey Garland is a transfer defender from Feather River College in California. A native of Watertown, Mass., Garland had an impressive two years at Feather River, where she started all 37 games the team played during her tenure and was twice named a first-team all-conference player. McClure comments, "Not only does Audrey bring a wealth of college-level playing experience and a physical presence to our program, but she has an incredible determination to compete and succeed. She never quits on a play, and her leadership shines through on and off the field."

Abigail Harrison is a freshman forward from Yeovil, Somerset in England. "I liked Abigail's game right away," McClure speaks of the dynamic attacker, "She can unlock opposing defenses as she knows how to move early in the channels and can get behind the opponent's back line with her athleticism. She fits our system perfectly, and I really look forward to having her here at Shaw."

Annika Huder is a transfer defender from Murray State College in Oklahoma. Huder appeared in 19 games for Murray State, making 18 starts and helping the team to the NJCAA Division II Region II Championship game. McClure comments, "We were immediately impressed with Annika. Not only is she a skilled defender, but she also has some nice versatility to her game. She understands the attacking side of defending more than most others and could be a great find for us. We're excited to have her here."

Frida Lang is a freshman forward from Arebo, Sweden. In her home country, Lang competed at the highest youth levels, and she had a breakout 2023 season with 14 goals and 10 assists in her 20 games, twice earning player of the week honors. "What we noticed about Frida was her comfort and technical ability on the ball," McClure notes, "She moves almost effortlessly, has tremendous field vision and composure, and she is clinical in 1v1s and finishing. She's a dynamic attacking player."

Galicia Monforte is a transfer defender hailing from Rio Rancho, N.M. Monforte most recently played for the women's club team at University of New Mexico where she was named defensive player of the year. Before that, Monforte started 10 games for John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she helped her team win the 2022 CUNY Championship. "We immediately identified Galicia as a perfect fit for us. She is a highly technical player with a tremendous understanding of the game," notes McClure. 

Isabella Murtaugh is a freshman forward from Loris, S.C. Playing for the Academy of Technology and Academics, Murtaugh twice earned all-district honors and absolutely lit up the box score with 89 career goals, 49 of which in her senior season. "Isabella's comfort and composure in front of goal jumped out at us," notes McClure, "She has incredible determination to convert chances into goals. She is the kind of finisher we were looking for."

Natasa Nemeth is a freshman defender from Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. The program's first player from Hungary, Nemeth competed for Illes Akademia, the top youth development program at the highest youth level in her country. In 2023, Nemeth anchored a backline that helped her team win the prestigious U19 Hungarian national championship. At 5'9", Nemeth brings a unique combination of size, strength, and speed to the program at Shaw. "Natasa's highlight video blew us away. She is a lockdown defender who just absolutely refuses to get beat. Highly technical but also fierce and fearless, Natasa could be a dominant defender for us," McClure notes.

Lindsay Poplin is a transfer goalkeeper from Davis & Elkins College. From Martinsburg, W. Va., Poplin played for the top-ranked club team in the state and has a tremendous amount of experience and success at both the school and club level, including 6 trips to the West Virginia State Cup. Standing at 5'11", Poplin is an imposing presence in the goal. "We just saw so much potential in Lindsay. She has the physical tools, but more importantly she doesn't see herself as a finished product. She has the genuine desire and work ethic that college goalkeepers must have. She should challenge a very talented group for our top spot," says McClure.

Camila Prieto is a transfer midfielder from Yavapai College. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Prieto enjoyed a successful career at Yavapai, where she earned all-district first team honors in 2021 and all-conference first team honors in 2022. McClure comments, "We have a ton of respect for the program at Yavapai, and Cami's experience there has helped to polish her game. She will bring both creativity and experience into our midfield."

Tianna Roberts is a freshman goalkeeper from Miami, Florida. A standout performer at Parkwood High School where she earned team MVP, Roberts also competed at one of the highest club levels in the US playing ECNL-RL for Charlotte Soccer Academy. "Tianna has a ton of upside to her game," comments McClure, "She is incredibly athletic and has excellent reactions. She's not just a shot stopper, though, as she really understands all aspects of the position. She will be a good one."

Aliz Roblero is a freshman forward from Stuart, Fla. An accomplished club and high school player, Roblero has also spent time in the Guatemalan national team youth program. "What impressed us the most with Aliz was her ability to move off the ball," McClure adds. "She has a nose for the goal, and she is incredibly gifted at involving her teammates in the attack. She's dynamic and creative with a high soccer IQ. I have a feeling that she's going to be a special player for us."

Amelia Sedgwick is a freshman defender from Nottingham, England. In her home country, Sedgwick attended Kesteven and Grantham Girls School and competed for top clubs Lincoln City and Nottingham Forest. A defender comfortable at any position across the back line, Sedgwick brings a large amount of high-level experience for a first-year player. McClure comments, "We are excited to have Amelia in our group. She is a defender who reads the game incredibly well and can be a dominant force on set pieces. She is also a natural leader. She should be an impact player for us."

Micklee Stacey is a freshman defender from Shelley, Idaho. The program's first player from the Gem state, Stacey comes to Shaw off a stellar club and high school career. Stacey is a four-year letter winner and all-conference player at Shelley High School, who also competed at the top club level in the state. "Micklee has a strong skill set that is complemented by a physical presence on the field. She is incredibly hard-working and competitive and has a very high ceiling in the game," McClure notes.

The Lady Bears open the 2024 season on Thursday, Sept. 5 against Emory & Henry University at Durham County Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be preceded by the ring ceremony for the 2023 USCAA national champion team starting at 4 p.m.