UNC Wilmington women’s soccer adds 9 to roster for 2019 season

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNC Wilmington Head Women’s Soccer Coach Chris Neal has announced the addition of nine student-athletes, including five from North Carolina, to the Seahawks’ roster for the 2019 season.

The Seahawks will welcome high school standouts Sam Francis of Raleigh, N.C., Grace Guller of Charlotte, N.C., Emily Moxley of Cary, N.C., Malina Pardo of Raleigh, N.C., Sydney Silverman of Old Westbury, N.Y., and Payton VanMiddlesworth of Richmond, Ind., in addition to transfers Kennedy Temple of Greenville, S.C., Anna Johnston of Arlington Heights, Ill., and Emma Totten of Apex, N.C.

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“I am excited with our new squad additions,” said Neal, who will begin his second year at the helm in 2019. “The benefit of adding players late in the recruiting cycle is that we can more specifically address our immediate team needs for the 2019 season. I feel like we have accomplished just that with players that best complement our returning roster. I expect these newcomers to challenge for playing time immediately.”

2019 UNCW Women’s Soccer Recruits

Sam Francis
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Wakefield
Club Team: NCFC ECNL

Highlights: Two-time all-conference and all-region performer at Wakefield High School … has led the Wolverines to 46-12-5 record over the last three years … scored 14 goals with six assists as a junior … contributed six goals with five assists in 2017 … opened scholastic career with 12 goals and six assists, including game-winning goal in overtime at State Cup semifinal and the game-winning penalty kick in the State Cup championship … mother, Karen, played soccer at Radford … father, Jeff, played baseball at Radford.

Grace Guller
Position: Defense
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: South Mecklenburg
Club Team: Charlotte Soccer Academy

Highlights: Two-time all-conference performer at South Mecklenburg High School … tallied nine goals with 11 assists during 2015-16 season before scoring seven goals with two assists in 2016-17 … competed at USSDA Girls Winter Showcase in 2017 with Charlotte Soccer Academy … also participate in 2018 USSDA Spring Showcase and USSDA Playoffs … father competed on swimming and water polo teams at East Carolina.

Anna Johnston
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Ill.
High School: Saint Viator
Club Team: Sockers FC ECNL

Highlights: Transfer from New Hampshire who did not appear in any games as a freshman … authored 40 career shutouts during high school career … two-time team captain at Saint Viator High School who led Lions to state finals as a senior … member of three regional championship teams … received all-conference and all-area distinction three times … earned all-sectional notice twice … named ESCC Player of the Year as a senior … garnered ESCC Goalkeeper of the Year honors as a junior … member of 2015 ECNL North American Cup championship team … reached US Club Soccer national finals in 2013.

Emily Moxley
Position: Forward
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
High School: Panther Creek
Club Team: NC Courage Academy

Highlights: Selected as Top 100 player by Top Drawer Soccer … selected for PDP South player event.

Malina Pardo
Position: Midfield/Forward
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Leesville Road
Club Team: NCFC ECNL

Highlights: Four-year letter winner at Leesville Road High School … led Leesville Road to Cap 7 4A Conference title and berth in state semifinals … scored 12 goals with 11 assists in 2017-18 campaign … four-year member of NCFC ECNL club team … led CASL U-16 Elite team in scoring in 2017 … member of 2016 U-15 NCYSA State Championship team … participated in Puerto Rico National Team Training Camp in early March … member of Leesville Road High School cross country and track and field teams.

Sydney Silverman
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Old Westbury, N.Y.
High School: The Wheatley School
Club Team: FC Fury DA

Highlights: Three-year starter for The Wheatley School who earned all-county and all-state distinction as a sophomore … helped Wildcats win three county championships and a pair of Long Island titles … honored as Albertson Soccer Young Goalkeeper of the Year in 2014 … earned Albertson Soccer Junior Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2015 … received Albertson Soccer ECNL Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2016 before claiming Senior Goalkeeper of the Year recognition in 2017 … three-year participant on Eastern N.Y. South ODP team from 2012-14 … also competed on basketball and lacrosse teams at The Wheatley School.

Kennedy Temple
Position: Defense
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
High School: J.L. Mann
Previous School: East Carolina
Club Team: Carolina Elite SA

Highlights: Transfer from East Carolina who played in three games as a freshman … two-year letter winner at J.L. Mann High School for Coach Steve Georgopoulos … led Patriots to a 27-1-2 record and first-ever state championship as a freshman … two-time Defensive Player of the Year … earned all-region distinction as a sophomore … also competed for the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy and was team captain during senior year.

Emma Totten
Position: Forward
Hometown: Apex, N.C.
High School: Apex
Previous School: Charlotte
Club Team: NCFC ECNL

Highlights: Transfer from Charlotte who appeared in 11 games as freshman … attempted nine shots, including two shots against ETSU and Florida International … earned First-Team 4A All-North Carolina as a senior at Apex High School … honored as 2018 South Wake Athletic Conference Player of the Year … chosen as the Region 6 Player of the Year as senior … garnered All-Southwest Wake Conference Second Team notice during junior season … two-time NCSCA All-Region 6 First Team selection … leading goal scorer for her club team in 2016 and 2017 … led club squad to 2017 USYSA Region 3 title … participated with state ODP squad in 2017.

Payton VanMiddlesworth
Position: Defense
Hometown: Richmond, Ind.
High School: Richmond
Club Team: Ohio Elite ECNL

Highlights: Four-year letter winner and two-time team captain at Richmond High School who scored 92 goals with 48 assists in her career … three-time all-conference selection … netted 37 goals with 25 assists as senior en route to Third-Team All-State distinction … also earned spot on All-District Team … member of 2016 sectional and Hoosier Cup championship teams … also competed on track and field team at Richmond.