The Auburn soccer team joined the National Signing Day action Wednesday, welcoming nine additions to the squad, and coach Karen Hoppa said she is thrilled to add depth at every position on her roster.
"They are all outstanding people first and foremost, and they make us better at every position," Hoppa said. "It is a group that will also add to our team's academic success. I am looking forward to four great years with them at Auburn."
Keeper Lauren Roussell was the first to commit Wednesday morning. An Alabama native from Vestavia Hills, Roussell has a combined 25 shutouts throughout her junior and senior seasons at Vestavia Hills High School. She was named the 18th-highest rated player in the South Region by Top Drawer Soccer, and currently plays for the Birmingham United ECNL.
Dani Solaru, an Irvine, California native and sister to Auburn soccer junior Samantha Solaru, is a member of the So Cal Blues ECNL. The foward/midfielder was a Blues Cup champion and Pacific Coast League champion in 2014 and 2015. She combined for 35 goals and 16 assists in her junior and part of her senior year at Northwood High School. Solaru was also named First Team All-League in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Bri Folds, a forward/midfielder from Lakewood, Florida, was a four-year letter winner at Lakeland Christian High School. Folds was the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2013 and National Christ School Athletic Association Player of the Year in 2014. She's racked up 167 goals and 151 assists during her high school career, with 50 of those goals scored as a senior.
Katie Hickman of Lilburn, Georgia, was named to Gwinnett Super-Six, All-Region and All-County in 2015. Hickman was also a 6A Georgia State Champion in 2013, and scored six goals with eight assists as a high school junior.
Jessie Gerow of Houston, Texas, attended Cyprus Ranch High School, where she was a team captain all four years. In 2014 and 2015, she led the team in scoring and assists, and was named First Team All-District both years.
Devyn Brough of Commerce Township, Michigan, played for the Michigan Jaguars FC. She was a Stat Cup champion in 2013 and 2015, Midwest Regional League champion in 2014 and 2015, and Nation Championship runner-up in 2015. The forward participated in the Olympic Development Program as a Region II Showcase champion in 2014.
Sophie Taylor of Cedar Park, Texas played for Lonestar SC ECNL and was invited to USSF National Training Center. The defender was rated No. 15 in her region by Top Drawer Soccer and is one of the IMG Academy Top 150.
Anna Frierson hails from Homewood, Alabama, and was a team captain her junior and senior years at Homewood High School, as well as a three-time MVP. The midfielder qualified for ECNL Nationals in 2014, and played for Birmingham United ECNL. Frierson was a two-time division champion and state champion with BUSA.
Avery Batson attended Bob Jones High School in her hometown of Madison, Alabama, where she led her team to the Final Four in 2015. Batson was a part of the U14 Girls National Team in 2012 and U15 National Team in 2013, with numerous invites to the US National Team Training Center. She also played for Costa Rica, England, and Italy's National Travel Teams in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
