STATESBORO, Ga. - On Tuesday, head women's soccer coach Josh Moffet announced the addition of 11 student-athletes who will join his first recruiting class at the helm of the Eagles for the 2020 season.

The 11 signees announced by Coach Moffet includes five athletes from the state of Georgia; Katie Jebavy (Cumming, Ga.), Taylor Oden (Hiram, Ga.), Kennedy Jackson (Dacula, Ga.), Kendall Varitek (Suwanee, Ga.) and Deborah Ruiz (Loganville, Ga.). 

Moffet's 2020 class will also include some international talent; Sade Heinrichs (Monchengladbach, Germany), Maria D'Angelo (Vicenza, Italy), Diana Hilhorst (Breukelen, Netherlands) and Simone Timm (Toronto, Canada). Finally the additions of Eileen Doherty (Harwood, Maryland) and Maya Zovko (Waite Hill, Ohio) completes his inaugural recruitment class.

These 11 signees join the two transfers announced in January, Sarah Alexander (Kennesaw, Ga.) and Julia Schukle (Milton, Ga.).

"It's been a whirlwind start to my career at Georgia Southern, and recruitment was no different. Women's Soccer is a sport which recruitment begins two years out, so we had to work fast while at the same time being diligent and precise in the personnel we were bringing. While soccer and athletic ability is vital; the character, attitude, and behaviors of our student-athletes is the most important for our culture. I am very happy with our incoming class, and proud of the efforts of my staff - Coach Anel Lilic and Coach Hannah Smith."


Maria D'Angelo
5'10'' - Forward
Vicenza, Italy
Vicenza Calcio

Moffet on D'Angelo: "Maria comes from a very good playing background in Italy. Maria is a true central forward that is comfortable with receiving the ball with her back to the goal and bringing others into play. She's a natural goalscorer, that is capable of scoring with both feet, inside the box or out of it. Don't be surprised if she knocks some in with her head too."


Eileen Doherty
5'4'' - Midfielder
Harwood, Maryland
Baltimore Development Academy

Moffet on Doherty: "We are really excited to be adding Eileen to our 2020 class. She's an experienced player from the Development Academy and comes from a really good environment. Her club team adopts the same philosophy we play, so Eileen will fit in straight from day one. Eileen has the ability to beat players down the line or cut inside from either wing. We're excited to begin working with her."


Sade Heinrichs
5'9'' - Defender
Monchengladbach, Germany
Borussia Mönchengladbach

Moffet on Heinrichs: "Sade will bring the stability we are looking to add to our backline. Sade comes from a very good background in Germany, making appearances for the Borussia Monchengladbach first team. Sade is a strong central defender who has a very good turn of pace. Sade is comfortable in possession and will fit straight into our game model. Taking the time to get to know Sade, her character and attitude could see her becoming a very good leader for our program in the years to come."


Diana Hilhorst
5'3'' - Defender
Breukelen, Netherlands
Saestum Vrouwen

Moffet on Hilhorst: "One of the key positions we were recruiting in 2020 was a naturally left footed defender. Diana is exactly that. She is a more common wing back that will offer natural width to our team. She is good with both feet, but naturally gifted with her left foot. Diana has the skill and speed to beat defenders on the dribble and has a great delivery into the box, which will compliment our playing style."


Kennedy Jackson
5'0'' - Midfielder
Dacula, Georgia
Georgia Soccer Association

Moffet on Jackson: "Kennedy is the type of player that is going to have the fans on the edge of their seats every time she receives the ball. Kennedy has the ability to beat players off the dribble and will definitely find herself on the scoresheet throughout the course of the season. She has an infectious passion for the game and her coach ability will be a joy to work with."


Katie Jebavy
5'7'' - Midfielder
Cumming, Georgia
Atlanta Fire United

Moffet on Jebavy: "Katie is a very technical player and controls the middle of the park very well, but what stood out most to us was her work rate and aggressiveness both in and out of possession. Katie is a true box-to-box midfielder that has the ability to break up play and then add goals from the midfield at the other end of the pitch."


Taylor Oden
5'3'' - Midfielder
Hiram, Georgia
Tophat Soccer Club

Moffet on Oden: "Taylor is a tenacious player that will add composure to our midfield. Taylor's vision and creativity in the final third, especially when picking the final pass to create a chance, will bring a lot of joy to our forwards. Taylor's commitment and 'never give up' attitude will see her have a successful career at GS."


Deborah Ruiz
5'10'' - Forward
Loganville, Georgia
Georgia Soccer Academy

Moffet on Ruiz: "Deborah is a player we are excited about adding to our program. Deb is the type of player that will lead our line and add to our goals and our strike force. She is a very intelligent player and her eye for goal and movement will cause the opposition problems in the final third."


Simone Timm
5'5'' - Forward
Toronto, Canada
King United Soccer Club

Moffet on Timm: "I'm excited to be welcoming one of the fastest players in the Sun Belt. Simone is going to add another level to our attack. She's one of the fastest players I have seen with and without the ball, but she has quality too. She's got a great first touch, and is a composed finisher - something forwards can lose when they are so quick. Simone will be able to lead the front line and also play out wide. The recruitment process with Simone has been great, and we've throughly enjoyed getting to know her and her family. We are excited to be welcoming them to Eagle Nation."


Kendall Varitek
5'4'' - Midfielder
Suwanne, Georgia
Atlanta Fire United

Moffet on Varitek: "Kendall is another technical player that comes from a very good In-State club. Kendall is a natural midfielder but her game understanding and ability allows her to be versatile playing in both attacking and defensive roles in the midfield, but also rotating in at fullback. The recruitment process with Kendall was a pleasure and we are so grateful that she'll call Eagle Nation 'home' for the next four years."


Maya Zovko
5'5'' - Midfielder
Waite Hill, Ohio
Ambassadors Football Club

Moffet on Zovko: "Maya is full of energy and will be a great addition to our midfield. She's technical and great in tight spaces. Her ability to pick a pass over short and long ranges makes her a joy to play in front of for any forward. Maya received All-American honors from high school soccer. Maya has the personality to become a future leader in the program."