Feb. 1, 2017 AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn soccer family grew a little bit larger on Wednesday as nine of its newest members officially signed to play their collegiate careers with the Tigers. The nine signees hail from eight different states and add the quality to build on Auburn's NCAA Quarterfinal run last fall.
"We're really excited to sign this class today and welcome them into the Auburn family," said head coach Karen Hoppa. "First and foremost, it's a group of great, young ladies. Their character fits perfectly in with our team and with the Auburn family. They're great academically, so we know they're going to get it done in the classroom.
"On the field, this is one of the best classes I think we've ever signed. We fill depth in every position. We especially focused on the attacking side of the ball as we knew we were losing a big class in 2016 with those seniors. This is a group that we think they're going to have a really fun four years."
Auburn has signed Jaelyn Gadson (Hilton Head, S.C.), Sarah Houchin (Dallas, Texas), Kori Locksley (Silver Spring, Md.), Alyssa Malonson (Houston, Texas), Silvana Poulter (Cedar Knolls, N.J.), Morgan Ramby (Springboro, Ohio), Cami Rogers (Prattville, Ala.), Rocio Sanders (Orlando, Fla.) and Emily Wise (Charlotte, N.C.)
2017 Auburn Soccer Recruiting Class
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Hometown | High School | Club Team | Time Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaelyn Gadson | F | 5'4 | Hilton Head, S.C. | Bluffton HS | GSA | 6:51 a.m. |
| Sarah Houchin | D | 5'8 | Dallas, Texas | Coppell HS | Dallas Texans | 9:16 a.m. |
| Kori Locksley | F | 5'7 | Silver Spring, Md. | Our Lady of Good Counsel/McDonogh HS | Bethesda SC | 7:07 a.m. |
| Alyssa Malonson | F/MF | 5'3 | Houston, Texas | Klein HS | Challenge Soccer Club | 8:07 a.m. |
| Silvana Poulter | F | 5'4 | Cedar Knolls, N.J. | Whippany Park HS | PDA | 7:57 a.m. |
| Morgan Ramby | GK | 6'0 | Springboro, Ohio | Springboro HS | Cincinnati United Premier | 7:32 a.m. |
| Cami Rogers | F | 5'4 | Prattville, Ala. | Prattville HS | Birmingham United | 7:17 a.m. |
| Rocio Sanders | MF | 5'4 | Orlando, Fla. | Cocoa Beach HS | Space Coast United/Orlando City | EE |
| Emily Wise | D | 5'6 | Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Latin School | Charlotte Soccer Academy | 7:08 a.m. |
Gadson, a forward, is a four-year letterwinner at Bluffton High School. She's made a living in the box as she's netted a blistering total of 62 goals, including a career-best 25 during her sophomore campaign. Gadson has also been a key distributor along the front line as she has amassed 27 assists during her prep career.
During her freshman season, Gadson was awarded the Team MVP and has been voted the best offensive player on the team three times. She's also gotten in done in the classroom as the National Honor Society member has never had a GPA below 4.0.
Gadson is the daughter of Robert and Jennifer Gadson. She has two siblings, Kativa and Tae'Von.
A big-time game-changer has just committed to the Tigers. Welcome to the family, @jaelyng5!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/te40bYARwx
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
Houchin arrives on The Plains after serving as the leader of the defense at Coppell High School. The stout central defender is a three-time All-American and was placed on the state's best squad at the conclusion of her first three seasons.
The three-time defensive MVP has also shown the ability to score when called upon. Houchin has netted 32 goals through 58 shots and has racked up 16 assists through her career.
Houchin is the daughter of Kerry and Melanie Houchin. She has one sibling, Chad.
A strong leader at a crucial position along the back line is coming to Auburn. Welcome to the family, @sarahhouchin!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/WEiUwRJfUg
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
Locksley, a forward, has a proven track record of success as an offensive threat for Our Lady of Good Counsel/McDonogh. In just three seasons on the pitch, she's secured 122 points by way of 39 goals and 44 assists up top.
During Locksley's prep career, her team totaled 35 wins and suffered defeat just four times.
Locksley comes from a family full of athletes. Her siblings all made it to the Division I ranks as Kai (Texas), Meiko (New Mexico) and Michael Jr. (Illinois) each competed as student-athletes. She is the daughter of Michael and Kia Locksley. Michael currently serves as an assistant coach for the Alabama football team.
Auburn has added an impressive, versatile playmaker. Welcome to the family, @KoriLocks!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/QDmaouQyoG
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
Malonson, a forward and midfielder, is wrapping up her final campaign at Klein High School. The pacey product has rattled home 42 career goals and has also been a distributor with 20 assists with a season still to go.
The 2016 All-American is no stranger to the limelight as she has been awarded as the district MVP and a three-time all-district honoree.
Malonson is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Malonson. She has two siblings, Maya and Jada.
A clinical finisher with major speed will wear orange and blue for the next four years. Welcome to the family, Alyssa!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/f98aFp6ZXd
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
Poulter, a talisman coming in from Whippany Park High School, recently broke the school's all-time record for goals (both boys and girls) with 76 and tied it in assists with 39.
The four-time first-team all-conference representative served as the team captain and was honored as the Morris County Player of the Year en route to earning Top 20 North II Region laurels.
Poulter is the daughter of Dan and Margie Poulter. She has three siblings, Joseph, Michael and Daniel. Her brother, Michael plays football and is a linebacker for East Stroudsburg University.
Going all the way up to New Jersey to bring home a tremendous talent up top. Welcome to the family, @spoulter4!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/0Lox2kGWhI
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
Between the posts, Ramby has been a force at Springboro High School. Across her final three seasons of play, she's allowed in only 17 goals through 35 matches played. Ramby's been part of over 15 shutouts and has amassed 144 saves in the process.
During her run as the team's primary keeper, Ramby has led her team to a 25-5-5 record, highlighted by a state runner-up finish in 2016. She's also seen time in ODP, including the national championship squad in 2014 and the state team in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
She is the daughter of John and Missy Ramby. She has three siblings, Alexis, Addison and Makenzie. Her father, John, was a baseball player at Kent State.
Plenty of outstanding keepers have come through Auburn. Here comes a great one. Welcome to the family, @tall_babe17!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/ZpuubNeAbd
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
A local product, Rogers makes the short trip to The Plains after putting a bow on a successful career at Prattville High School. The forward netted an astounding 86 goals, including a school-record 32 in just 14 games, and was the team's leading goal-scorer for her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
She earned Team MVP honors and was awarded with a spot on the Alabama ODP team. Rogers also played with the Region III ODP team that traveled to Argentina and competed in an interregional event in Florida.
Rogers is the daughter of Joe and Cheri Rogers. She has five siblings, Brittany, Joey, Jordan, Mary and Halle.
A strong striking presence will remain inside the state lines. Welcome to the family, @_camirogers!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/ekpfUlGAGo
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
Sanders, a product of Cocoa Beach High School, has already enrolled at Auburn and is currently participating in the Tigers' annual spring season.
She was a two-year letterwinner and notched 22 points by way of eight goals and six assists in 13 matches played. Sanders was also a key member on the Orlando ECNL team that won the Southeastern Championship and reached the overall finals in 2015.
Sanders is the daughter of Timothy Sanders and Ana De Le Parra. She has two siblings, Diego and Catalina.
Kicking off our 2017 class is an early enrollee with loads of talent. Welcome to the family, @chiquilicky! #WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/mB1B90XQXs
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017
Wise, a standout defender, enters her senior season at Charlotte Latin School already having won back-to-back state championships the past two seasons. She's captained a back line and also done her part on the offensive end.
Wise has netted 29 goals and 11 assists, mostly playing as a center defender or in a deeper midfield role. She's been a three-time all-conference and all-region choice, while also being a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year for the city of Charlotte.
She's the daughter of Alan and Tammy Wise. She has three siblings, Tyler, Ashton and Wesley.
Tons of pace and defensive skill are on their way to The Plains. Welcome to the family, Emily!#WarEagle | #AUNSD17 pic.twitter.com/CsAs7aG28W
- Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) February 1, 2017