Soccer

Karen Hoppa and The Auburn soccer team grew a little bit larger on Wednesday as nine women officially signed to play their collegiate careers with the Tigers. The nine signees come from eight different states and add depth to a talented roster that made a historic run just a season ago.

“We’re really excited to sign this class today and welcome them into the Auburn family,” said head coach Karen Hoppa. “First and foremost, it’s a group of great, young ladies. Their character fits perfectly in with our team and with the Auburn family. They’re great academically, so we know they’re going to get it done in the classroom.

“On the field, this is one of the best classes I think we’ve ever signed. We fill depth in every position. We especially focused on the attacking side of the ball as we knew we were losing a big class in 2016 with those seniors. This is a group that we think they’re going to have a really fun four years.”

Auburn has signed Jaelyn Gadson (Hilton Head, S.C.), Sarah Houchin (Dallas, Texas), Kori Locksley (Silver Spring, Md.), Alyssa Malonson (Houston, Texas), Silvana Poulter (Cedar Knolls, N.J.), Morgan Ramby (Springboro, Ohio), Cami Rogers (Prattville, Ala.), Rocio Sanders (Orlando, Fla.) and Emily Wise (Charlotte, N.C.)

Gadson, a forward, is a four-year letterwinner at Bluffton High School. She’s netted a total of 62 goals, including a career-best 25 during her sophomore season. Gadson also added nearly 30 assists in high school.

During her freshman season, Gadson was awarded the team MVP. She’s also a member of the national honor society, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school.

Gadson is the daughter of Robert and Jennifer Gadson. She has two siblings, Kativa and Tae’Von.

Houchin has served as the leader of the defense at Coppell High School the past four seasons. The defender is a three-time All-American. She has also shown the ability to score as well as play defense. Houchin has netted 32 goals through 58 shots and has racked up 16 assists through her career.

Houchin is the daughter of Kerry and Melanie Houchin. She has one sibling, Chad.

Locksley, a forward, will be an offensive threat for the Tigers. In just three seasons she’s secured 122 points by way of 39 goals and 44 assists up top.

During Locksley’s high school career, her team totaled 35 wins and suffered defeat just four times. She is the daughter of Michael and Kia Locksley. Michael currently serves as an assistant coach for the Alabama football team.

Malonson, a forward and midfielder, has rattled home 42 career goals and has also been a distributor with 20 assists with a prep season still ahead. She has been awarded as the district MVP and a three-time all-district honoree.

Malonson is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Malonson. She has two siblings, Maya and Jada.

Poulter, coming in from Whippany Park High School, recently broke the school’s all-time record for goals with 76 and tied it in assists with 39. She served as the team captain and was honored as the Morris County Player of the Year.

Poulter is the daughter of Dan and Margie Poulter. She has three siblings, Joseph, Michael and Daniel.

Ramby, a goalkeeper, has been brilliant in her time at Springboro High School. Across her final three seasons of play, she’s allowed only 17 goals through 35 matches played. Ramby has also been part of over 15 shutouts. She has led her team to a 25-5-5 record, highlighted by a state runner-up finish in 2016.

She is the daughter of John and Missy Ramby. She has three siblings, Alexis, Addison and Makenzie.

Rogers makes the short trip to The Plains after playing at Prattville High School. The forward netted an astounding 86 goals, including a school-record 32 in just 14 games, and was the team’s leading goal-scorer for her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

Rogers is the daughter of Joe and Cheri Rogers. She has five siblings, Brittany, Joey, Jordan, Mary and Halle.

Sanders, a product of Cocoa Beach High School, has already enrolled at Auburn and has been a part of spring workouts.

She notched 22 points by way of eight goals and six assists in 13 matches played last season.

Sanders is the daughter of Timothy Sanders and Ana De Le Parra. She has two siblings, Diego and Catalina.

Wise, a standout defender, enters her senior season at Charlotte Latin School already having won back-to-back state championships the past two seasons. She has netted 29 goals and 11 assists, mostly playing as a center defender or in a deeper midfield role.

She’s the daughter of Alan and Tammy Wise. She has three siblings, Tyler, Ashton and Wesley.

The Auburn soccer team will kick off the season on March 4. at home against Mississippi State.