May 25, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - Looking to build momentum on an appearance in the 2016 NCAA Quarterfinals, the Auburn soccer program has added Caroline Bado from UCF as a graduate transfer for the 2017 season, head coach Karen Hoppa announced Thursday.
"We are excited to add Caroline to our team for this fall," Hoppa said. "She has tremendous experience in the college game and will add depth and leadership to our back line. She is an excellent defender with the ability to possess out of the back so she will fit right into our style of play."
Bado, an All-American Athletic Conference selection, appeared in 60 matches for the Golden Knights, starting 49, from 2013-16. The standout defender logged over 4,500 minutes on the pitch for UCF.
Bado brings a championship pedigree to The Plains, having won two American Athletic Conference titles in 2013 and 2014. The senior has also appeared in the NCAA Tournament in three of her campaigns with the Golden Knights.
The Tampa, Fla. native captained a back line that had 30 shutouts in her tenure and held opponents to average just 0.78 goals per game in that span.
Bado showed flashes of offensive potential as well with five points, including one goal and three assists. She scored her first career goal in UCF's 3-0 win over SMU in the American Athletic Conference Championship quarterfinals from a set piece.
During her freshman campaign, she helped UCF's defense lock up two shutouts at Houston and SMU to clinch the AAC regular season title and the program's first undefeated conference season since 1999.
Prior to UCF, Bado excelled at the club level for Tampa Bay United, winning the 2012 U-18 Florida State Cup and finished runner-up at the 2012 Disney Showcase.
She was a key member of the 2011 Disney Qualifier Championship Team and the 2011 Final 4-State Cup squad.
Bado was a three-time Tampa Tribune Sports Writers All-County performer during her time spent at Plant High School. She also garnered St. Petersburg Times-Tampa Bay Times All-County laurels while guiding her team to district championships in 2009 and 2012.
Bado joins an elite recruiting class brought in by Hoppa and her staff that will add 10 new members to an already talented roster heading into the 2017 season.