ROCK HILL, SC – Winthrop women's soccer head coach Spencer Smith has announced the signing of nine players to National Letters of Intent to join the program for the fall 2016 season.
The nine-woman recruiting class includes: Allison Thomas, Keeley Leising, Dylan Patterson, Natalie Royaards, Giana Giroux, Greta Conboy, Clara Conboy, Katie Daniel and Gabrielle Hull.
Allison Thomas is a defender from Canonsburg, PA where she played for the Beadling Soccer Club and Canon-McMillan High School. She holds her school's career record for assists and has been a two-time All-Section selection and the 2015 Player of the Year.
Keeley Leising is a forward from Kent, OH where she will graduate from Theodore Roosevelt High School. She was a two-time All-District selection as well as a three-time All-Conference honoree. She played club soccer for Ohio Premier Soccer Club.
Dylan Patterson hails from Peachtree, GA where she played club soccer for AFC Lightning and Starrs Mill High School. A defender, she has been a two-time All-County and All-Region selection and was a state champion in high school in 2015 as well as runner-up in 2014.
Natalie Royaards is a forward from Greenville, SC where she will graduate from Eastside High School and played club soccer for Carolina Elite Soccer Association. She was named to the All-Region and All-State teams her sophomore and junior seasons. She is also a member of the Region III ODP squad.
Gianna Giroux is a midfielder and defender from Deer Park, NY. She played club soccer for the East Meadow Explosion and high school ball at St. John the Baptist DHS. She has been an All-League selection and state champion while also being included in the Region I ODP pool for two years.
Greata Conboy and twin sister Clara Conboy will join the Eagles from Alpharetta, GA where they played with the Concorde Fire soccer club and Johns Creek High School. Greta is a defender who earned her high school's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2015. Clara is a forward who led her high school team in goals her freshman season. She has been named to the All-Region Team and will lead the team as captain in 2016. She has also been a part of the Region III ODP team.
Katie Daniel is a midfielder from Newton, MA where she played for Newton North High School and Global Premier Soccer. She was a member of her club's State Cup teams in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the captain for her high school team.
Gabrielle Hull will join the Eagles from Fredericksburg, VA where she is a midfielder at Stafford High School and for the Prince William soccer club. She has been her high school team captain and an All-Area selection the past three years. She has also been a part of the state's ODP pool.
The Eagles will kick off the 2016 season on Sunday, August 21 at the Western Carolina Catamounts. The full 2016 schedule will be released later this spring.
