Women's Soccer Signs Six for 2008
2/29/2008 5:11:00 AM | Women's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern head women’s soccer coach Ashley Hart announced the signing of six student-athlete standouts to join the 2008 Eagle soccer program.
Joining the team are Danae Kaimuloa, Christy Naife, Caroline Rutledge, Chelsea Kephart, Missy Meyer and Sara Oland.
“I think this is probably one of our strongest classes that we’ve brought in,” said Hart. “We have a lot of athletes that are coming in after playing at some of the top levels in the U.S. They’ve played at very good clubs and competed for ODP teams. So I think we’ve a got a very well-rounded group that knows what it takes to compete.”
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Hometown/High School | |
| Danae Kaimuloa |
F | 5-8 | Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS | |
| Christy Naife |
D/MF | 5-3 | Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake Northern HS | |
| Caroline Rutledge |
D | 5-8 | McDonough, Ga./Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy | |
| Chelsea Kephart | MF | 5-7 | Cumming, Ga./South Forsyth HS | |
| Missy Meyer |
GK | 5-8 | Alpharetta, Ga./South Forsyth HS | |
| Sara Oland |
F | 5-4 | Evans, Ga./Greenbrier HS |
Danae Kaimuloa comes to Statesboro after a successful club and high school career. An honor roll student at San Pasqual High School, Kaimuloa has helped the Golden Eagles to two California Interscholastic Federation championships and four Valley League Championships. A three-year letterwinner, Kaimuloa was twice named to the All-Valley League team and received the MVP Offense award.
“Danae is a strong skillful player that loves to take players off the dribble,” said Hart. “She is also very strong in the air and should prove to be a dangerous threat up front.”
Coming out of Walled Lake Northern High School in Commerce, Mich., Christy Naife currently plays for the repeat Michigan State and reigning Region II Champions, the Michigan Hawks. While playing for the Hawks from 2004-2008, Naife also played on the ODP state team during the same window. At Walled Lake Northern, the Knights have a had a winning season each of her three seasons on the team, where she earned several honors, including division, area, district and state individual accolades. In the classroom, Naife has made the honor roll each year and is a member of the National Honor Society.
“Christy is coming from one of the best club teams in the country, which competed in the National Tournament last year,” said Hart. “She’ll play either defender or outside mid for us. She’s played at some of the top levels of competition in the U.S. and I’m really excited to see her step on the field for us. She has the speed and the ability to read the game to be a very good player for us next year.”
A defender from McDonough, Ga., Caroline Rutledge brings several years of club experience to the team, including playing for the North Atlanta Soccer Association, Tophat Gold and Norcross Magic Gold teams and claiming semifinalist, finalist and state championship titles. A member of the Georgia ODP state team from 2004-2007, Rutledge is also a three-year high school letterwinner and an honor roll student. While at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, the first team all-area and all-county selection has helped lead the Chargers to a regional championship and an appearance in the state playoffs.
“Caroline is a tough, physical defender that is not afraid to go into tackles,” said Hart. “She has played at a high level with her club team, which should translate well to our game. She will be a great addition to our back line.”
Chelsea Kephart, a midfielder from Cumming, Ga. is a three-year member of the Atlanta Fire United club team. A captain all three years, she has helped lead the team to a Georgia state championship and two state semifinal appearances. At South Forsyth High School, the four-year letterwinner and three-time all-county player has helped lead the War Eagles to a regional championship and a state finals appearance. In the classroom, Kephart has earned several academic and extracurricular accolades, including the National Honor Society.
“Chelsea’s another player we’re really excited about,” said Hart. “She’s another Atlanta-area girl that comes from one of the top club teams in Atlanta. She’s great in the air and is an extremely strong player. I think she will do well as a center midfielder for us, to be that enforcer and direct play from the midfield.”
A goalkeeper from Alpharetta, Ga., Missy Meyer played on Atlanta Fire United Elite, in addition to competing for Super Y and the state ODP team. A teammate of Kephart at South Forsyth, Meyer has been named the team’s most valuable player while earning all-county accolades the last two years. Meyer is a four-year letterwinner, and as a freshman, the War Eagles won the regional championship and finished second in the state championship.
“Missy and Chelsea both play on the same club team and same high school team,” said Hart. “That chemistry will be great to already have. As a goalkeeper, Missy will compete right away for playing time. She and Lauren Santos will really push each other each day, which will only make both of them better.”
Sara Oland is a forward out of Evans, Ga. and is a three-year letterwinner at Greenbrier High School. She was named to all-county and all-region teams. A member of the National Honor Society, Oland helped lead the Wolfpack to two regional championships in 2004 and 2006, while also leading basketball and softball to similar success at GHS, including a softball state championship in 2004.
“Sara is extremely athletic,” said Hart. “She’s a multi-sport athlete who had the opportunity to play three different collegiate sports. So we’re excited to get her to come play soccer. She’s very fast, reads the game very well and will cause defenders some problems up top.”
“I’m really looking forward to getting this group here,” said Hart. “I’m expecting them to fit into some of the holes that we have left from our (graduating) seniors. It’s a group that’s excited to be here and is motivated to help our team step it up one more level.”
