Georgia welcomes seven new Bulldogs as part of 2023 recruiting class

ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia soccer head coach Keidane McAlpine announced the addition of seven new Bulldogs for the 2023 season with the signings of their National Letters of Intent.

Joining the Bulldogs are: Christian Brathwaite (Charlotte, North Carolina), Hayley Chamberlain (Atlanta), Virginia Odom (Atlanta), Caroline Smith (Woodstock), Kiera Staude (Atlanta), Abby Unkraut (Burlington, Kentucky), and Devon Winters (Atlanta). The class includes four midfielders, two defenders, and one forward.

See below for more information on each of Georgia’s new recruits.

Christian Brathwaite | Midfielder | Charlotte Soccer Academy | Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual HS | Charlotte, N.C.

Brathwaite joins Georgia after playing for Charlotte Soccer Academy, while previously playing at Barca Academy with its 2005 male team. Brathwaite was one of only two young women in the country to play with the men’s DA, while also playing with the U-17 team in national competition. This past summer, she played for Greenville Liberty SC in the USL W League and earned 2022 W League Young Player of the Year honors. She appeared in 11 matches for Greenville and helped them amass an 8-2-2 record, while tallying four goals and four assists. She was also selected for the Trinidad & Tobago Senior Women’s team for 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Brathwaite is the daughter of Jarrette and Darcy Brathwaite. Her father played collegiate soccer at Charlotte and later played professionally in the United States and Germany, while her mother played volleyball at Charlotte. Her brother, Kyle, played collegiate soccer at Pitt. She is currently attending Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual High School and is intending to major in Business next year.

Hayley Chamberlain | Midfielder | Tophat Soccer Club | Midtown HS | Atlanta, Ga.

Chamberlain joins Georgia after playing for Tophat Soccer Club and Midtown High School. At Midtown, Chamberlain helped lead Knights to the 2022 GHSA Class 5A state championship game and a 15-7-1 record. For Tophat, she was named the 2022 Regional Player of the Year and was named to the ECNL Southeast Regional All-Conference Team and PDP in 2018 and 2019.

Chamberlain is the daughter of Hollis and Trevor Chamberlain. She is intending to major in Psychology or Business next year.

Virginia Odom | Defender | Concorde Fire ECNL | North Atlanta HS | Atlanta, Ga.

Odom joins Georgia after playing for Concorde Fire ECNL and North Atlanta High School. For Concorde, she helped her team win the 2022 ECNL national championship and earn the No. 1 national ranking on multiple occasions. She also helped Concorde win four-consecutive ECNL Southeast Regional championships. At North Atlanta, she helped the Warriors reach the 2021 GHSA Class 6A regional quarterfinals, while being named Regional Player of the Year and North Atlanta Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year. She was also named the team’s offensive MVP in her freshman and sophomore seasons.

Odom is the daughter of Amy and Alex Odom.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and an International Baccalaureate student. She is intending to major in Sport Journalism next year.

Caroline Smith | Forward | UFA ECNL U19 | Blessed Trinity HS | Woodstock, Ga.

Smith joins Georgia after playing for UFA ECNL U19 and Blessed Trinity High School. For UFA, Smith helped lead the team to the ECNL Nationals Final Four in 2021 and Sweet 16 in 2022. At Blessed Trinity, she helped the Titans win the 2021 GHSA Class 5A state championship, followed by a trip to the quarterfinals in 2022. She was the team’s leading scorer in 2022 after ranking second the previous season. She was named a Class 5A First Team All-Star in 2021 and 2022, as well as earning consecutive placements on the Diversity High School All-Star First Team.

Smith is the daughter of Raquel and Robert Smith. She is intending to major in Communication Studies next year.

Kiera Staude | Defender | Concorde Fire ECNL | The Westminster Schools | Atlanta, Ga.

Staude joins Georgia after playing for Concorde Fire 04/05 Platinum ECNL and the Westminster Schools. At Westminster, she helped lead the Wildcats to consecutive GHSA Class 3A state championships and regional championships. She was named the team’s captain and most valuable defensive player, while also being named to the Georgia Best 11 list. She also played basketball for Westminster, helping lead her team to the regional championship while being named Defensive Player of the Year and All-Region. For Concorde, she helped lead the team to the 2022 U18/19 ECNL National Championship. She was invited to the 2021 U.S. Soccer Youth National Team Regional Event in Columbia, South Carolina and was previously invited to the U17 Player Pool and U15 National Camp.

Staude is the daughter of Alisa and Greg Staude. Her mother played basketball at Oakland University and Saginaw Valley State University, while her sister, Talia, plays soccer at Virginia. She is a member of the National Honor Societ and an AP Scholar.

Abby Unkraut | Midfielder | Kings Hammer Academy | Notre Dame Academy | Burlington, Ky.

Unkraut joins Georgia after playing for Kings Hammer Academy, helping her U-16 team win the 2021 Girls Academy National Championship. In her lone year of ECNL competition, she earned Second Team All-ECNL honors and was named to the 2021 Florida Showcase National Selection Team. For Notre Dame Academy, she played two games this season and scored in the season opener before suffering a season-ending injury.

Unkraut is the daughter of Anna and Dan Unkraut. Her mother played soccer and softball at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the All-A Honor Roll. She is intending to major in either Communications or Business next year.

Devon Winters | Midfielder | Tophat Soccer Club | Marist School | Atlanta, Ga.

Winters joins Georgia after playing for Tophat Soccer Club and the Marist School, helping the War Eagles win the 2022 GHSA Class 4A championship. Winters served as the team’s captain and was named team MVP for the regional and state champions. She also helped Tophat achieve a No. 1 ranking.

Winters is the daughter of Monique and Chris Winters. She was named to the Marist Honor Roll and is intending to major in Sport Medicine next year.