Moodie Announces 2013 Women's Soccer Signing Class

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman women's soccer program has signed nine players for its 2013 signing class, announced by head coach Richard Moodie on Monday.

Four of the nine signees are from the state of Tennessee, and Moodie believes this signing class will add talent to the 2013 Eagles roster.

"We're excited about the incoming class," said Carson-Newman head coach and Director of Soccer Richard Moodie. "We've got a good group of local kids coming from the Knoxville area, as well as some kids from out of state."

Moodie believes more players will be added to this signing class throughout the winter and spring, and fans are encouraged to visit www.cneagles.com for the latest information on the 2013 Carson-Newman women's soccer signing class.

Erica DeLuca (Lake Mary, Fla.) – Lake Mary Preparatory School. 5-7 Midfielder/Forward.

DeLuca participated in football, weightlifting, soccer, softball, and track at Lake Mary Preparatory School in Lake Mary, Fla., where she was coached in soccer by Frankie Delgado. In soccer she was All-District First Team all four years, and she was the Most Valuable Player during her junior and senior seasons. She also made headlines as a kicker on the football team, where her brother brother Ben was her holder during placekicking duties. She also won the Leadership Book Award at Lake Mary Prep. She chose Carson-Newman because she felt at home on her visit to Jefferson City and added that she loves the school. She plans to major in elementary education at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on DeLuca: "Erica comes from a very athletic background. She's going to come in for us as a forward. She's had some great coaching under Frankie Delgado. We're excited about what she's going to bring to the program and she's definitely going to come in and score lots of goals."

Gabrielle Gianeselli (Knoxville, Tenn.) – Bearden High School. 5-4 Forward/Midfielder.

Gianeselli was a standout at Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tenn., where she was coached by Eric Turner. She played soccer and ran track at Bearden. She was a part of the 2010 and 201 State Semi-Finalist teams at Bearden, as well as the 2009-10 District and Regional champions. She earned Rookie of the Year, Sophomore of the Year, the Spirit Award, Midfielder of the Year in 2012 and she was also a team captain during her senior season. She was named to the All-KIL, All-District and All-Region teams all four years at Bearden. She was also a member of the Key Club and National Honors Society. She chose Carson-Newman because it is a faith-based school and the strong soccer program. She plans to major in Education at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Gianselli: "She's one of the hardest working girls that I've ever watched play. I think she's going to be a huge asset to the team and come in here and challenge for a starting spot."

Katy Hill (Farragut, Tenn.) – Farragut High School. 5-6 Goalkeeper.

Hill was a standout at Farragut High School in Farragut, Tenn., where she was coached by Dennis Lindsey. She was a member of the 2011 State Finalist team, as well as the two-time District and Region champions, and in 2012 the Admirals were State Semi-Finalists. The Admirals were also ranked in the national top 20 during her junior and senior seasons. She earned two-time All-District and All-Region team honors, and was also named the "Goalkeeper of the Year." She was a team captain and Most Valuable Player during her senior season, named to the All-PrepXtra Team in 2011, and was also a Calhoun's High School Athlete of the Week honoree. Hill was named to the Farragut Distinguished Honor Roll all four years, and left school with a 3.75 GPA. She chose Carson-Newman because of the coaching staff, strong academic reputation, and smaller class sizes. She plans to major in Physical Therapy at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Hill: "Katy Hill is a fantastic goalkeeper that we're excited about. She'll be one of three that we'll have on the squad next year, and goalkeeping is one of the strengths that I think we already have on this team. We have a lot of potential in Katy."

Chelsea Jordan (Knoxville, Tenn.) – Farragut High School. 5-7 Midfielder.

Jordan was a standout at Farragut High School in Farragut, Tenn., where she was coached by Dennis Lindsey. She was a member of the 2011 State Finalist team, as well as the two-time District and Region champions, and in 2012 the Admirals were State Semi-Finalists. The Admirals were also ranked in the national top 20 during her junior and senior seasons. She earned All-District honors in her senior season of 2012. At Farragut she was named to the Distinguished Honor Roll and was a member of the Marketing and Business Academy. She chose Carson-Newman because it is close to home and her family, and she likes that it is a smaller school with good academics. She plans to major in Business at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Jordan: "Also a local girl from Knoxville, she's a very hard-working center-mid and was cached by C-N alum Jesse Stephens. She'll be a fantastic addition in the middle for us."

Elissa Lane (Knoxville, Tenn.) – Karns High School. 5-6 Defender.

Lane was a standout at Karns High School in Knoxville, Tenn., where she was coached by Brett Ridens. She earned All-District honors from 2010-12, All-Region from 2011-12, and was named the District Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012. All-KIL and All-PrepXtra from 2011-12. She was the team captain for three seasons from 2010-12. She was a member of the Karns Honor Roll all four years in school. Her father, Mark Lane, played basketball at Draughons College in Murfreesboro, Tenn. She scored six goals in 80 career games at Karns, and also added eight career assists in addition to her 37 career shots on goal. She chose Carson-Newman because it is close to home, can deliver a great education in her desired occupation, and offers a great opportunity in the soccer program. She plans to major in Exercise Science/Occupational Therapy at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Lane: "She's a hard-nosed defender who I think is one of those that I think is going to come in and try and get a start right of the bat. She's a very tough, athletic girl and she was being looked at by some other schools within our conference. We're excited for her addition to the squad."

Nora Logan (Charlotte, N.C.) – Metrolina Christian Academy. 5-11 Forward.

Logan was a standout in soccer and basketball at Metrolina Christian Academy in Indian Trail, N.C., where she was coached in soccer by Elizabeth Hargett. She earned All-Conference honors for her first three seasons at MCA. She was a member of the National Honors Society and also earned the MCA Administrator's Award. Her father, Todd Logan, sailed at the United States Naval Academy, while her aunt Susan Leonard also played basketball and lacrosse collegiately. She chose Carson-Newman because of its strong academic programs, plus the social and Christian environment. She plans to major in Pre-Engineering at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Logan: "She's going to be a handful for any team to mark. She is a very athletic girl and a very tough player, great technique as well on the ball. Great addition not just because of her athleticism and ability but also her height in the women's game is a huge asset."

Lauren Morelock (Abingdon, Va.) – Abingdon High School. 5-2 Forward.

Morelock was a standout at Abingdon High School in Abingdon, Va., where she was coached by Donna Barkley. Morelock was a part of the two-time Abingdon District Champions. She also earned Rookie of the Year, Team Most Valuable Player (three times), All District (four times), All-Region (three times), All-State (two times) and was a VHSCA All-Star Game participant. She also earned the NSCAA Excellence Award. She set the school record for most goals in a season (44) and most goals in a career (153). She was a member of the Honor Roll, National Honors Society, National Art Honor Society, National French Honor Society, and she also had perfect attendance. Her father, Ray Morelock, played tennis at Tusculum, while her grandfather, Edgar L. Carrier, Jr., played basketball at Carson-Newman. She chose Carson-Newman because of its great academic and soccer programs and because the school is a Christian university. She plans to major in Math Education at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Morelock: "She's a mid-year transfer from Abingdon. She loves to score goals and so far in the spring season we've seen exactly that."

Megan Peterson (Parrish, Fla.) – Palmetto High School. 5-3 Center Back.

Peterson was a standout at Palmetto High School in Parrish, Fla., where she was coached by Matt Foy. She was the Palmetto's top scorer during her freshman season and a member of the Palmetto High School Honor Roll. She is the daughter of Dave and Kathi Peterson. She chose Carson-Newman due to its reputation as one of the best schools in the southeast. She plans to major in Pre-Med at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Peterson: "Comes from a very strong level down in IMG Florida. She's a fantastic young lady and fantastic defender. Definitely will be a huge addition based on her athleticism and her understanding of the game."

Morgan Whitaker (Harvest, Ala.) – Sparkman High School. 5-8 Center Midfielder.

Whitaker was a standout in soccer, golf, and basketball at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Ala., where she was coached by Stacy Junjulas and Amar Amin. She was a part of the Madison County champions team from 2009-11, and the Buccaneer Bash champions from 2009-10. In her freshman year, she was the Most Valuable Player and was All-County and All-Tournament. In her sophomore season she was named "Best Offense," as she load the team with 22 goals. Also collected All-County and All-Tournament honors in her sophomore season. She also played club soccer for the United Soccer Club, making it to the state-wide semifinals, placing third. Her aunt, Lori Gray, played golf at Memphis while her cousin, Kelly Gray, played tennis at Memphis. She chose Carson-Newman because of the campus environment, the faculty, and the great soccer program. She believes that this is the school that God has chosen for her to further her education and pursue her dreams. She plans to major in Nursing/Exercise Science at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Whitaker:  "I believe she's our diamond in the rough. She's a fantastic young player and she's going to be a huge asset to our squad. Just one of those that likes to work hard and will like to be the first at practice and try to be first in any competition. We're excited about the possibilities that she brings to this squad."