Feb. 8, 2008

(San Francisco) - USF women's soccer head coach Mark Carr announced the signing of nine players to National Letters of Intent (NLI) Friday. The class, the first for Carr, who enters his second season on the Hilltop, includes some of the top players from Arizona, Utah, Southern and Northern California. The Dons welcome forwards Kelli Woodard (Scottsdale, AZ/Deer Valley HS), Megan Bucci (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo HS), Nicole Moore (Clearfield, UT/Clearfield HS), midfielders Joan Piasta (Santa Rosa, CA/Ursuline HS), Anna Calderon (San Jose, CA/Valley Christian HS), defenders Abbey Kaufman (Tuscon, AZ/Catalina Foothill HS), Angela Vuona (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Rancho Santa Margarita HS), Kallie Caldwell (Coronado CA/Coronado HS) and goalkeeper Sarah Garland (San Diego, CA/WestView HS).

"I am very excited about the quality, athleticism and talent level of this class," Carr said. "I'm extremely pleased with the experience and competitiveness of this group of players. They have collectively proven themselves at the Youth level and they are just the type of players who will come in and make an immediate impact on our program. I am looking forward to this group arriving in the Fall and adding them all to an already talented returning group."

Below is a list of players (by position), along with biographical information.

FORWARDS

Kelli Woodard (Scottsdale, AZ/ Deer Valley HS)

Two year starter and team captain at 5A Deer Valley High School.. Led Deer Valley in goals scored and assists, sophomore and senior years.. Selected team Offensive Player of the year as a sophomore at Deer Valley. Northwest Region player of the year sophomore year, Arizona Big School All State Team the same year. Led team to a pair of League Championships sophomore and senior years. Arizona ODP Team 2004 & 2005...U-16 USYS Thanksgiving Inter-Regional Boca Raton, Florida, FL Region IV team 2005...U-15 Region IV ODP Championships Las Vegas 2005... Plays Club Soccer for Sereno 90's White, ranked #1 in U.S. by gotsoccer.com for 8 months in 2006 & 2007...Led team in scoring and assists in 2004, 2005, 2006...Won State Titles in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007..

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Woody is one of the top players coming out of Arizona. As a forward she has all the necessary tools to be successful at this level. She is a dynamic, competitive, great back to pressure forward who is a proven finisher. Her natural athleticism will be a handful for defenses"

Megan Bucci (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo HS)

Staring Varsity Forward and 4-year Letter winner at Redondo Union High School. Team Captain and leads the team in goals scored in her Varsity year. As a Junior received the Coaches award for Best Athlete. Club player for the Southern California Blues Soccer Club; most recently in the elite Premier Division. In 2007, Megan led her GU17 SoCal Blues team in goals scored and in the prior year ranked 2nd on the team in Shots-on-Goal.

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Megan is a gifted forward who loves to run at defenders and finish. She has an element of flair about her and loves to go to goal. She is smart, understands the game tactically and I really think her pace and athleticism will unsettle defenders."

Nicole Moore (Clearfield, UT/Clearfield HS)

Four year starter and varsity letter Winner at Clearfield High School. Team MVP 2006 and 2007. All Area Team 2007. Honorable mention and second team in 2006. Top goal scorer 2007. Club player for La Roca Premier, # 1 Ranked Team in Utah. Top goal scorer in the Utah girls U17 Premier league with 22 goals.

Team. Leading Goalscorer for entire 2007 season with 38 goals.

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Nicole is a natural finisher. Her movement and ability to put the ball in the net from anywhere in the attacking third is lethal. Her 1v1, work ethic and mentality allow her to turn half chances into goals."

MIDFIELDERS

Joan Piasta (Santa Rosa, CA/Ursuline HS)

Four year starter as forward and center midfielder on Ursuline Varsity, which finished as CIF North Coast Section 3A Champion and #2 in Nation in Student Sports.Com during Sophomore year. All Redwood Empire NCS Large Schools First Team, All North Bay League First Team 2007. Starting Center Midfielder on the Santa Rosa United Gold "Freeze" currently ranked #20th in the Nation, #12 in the Region and #3 in Cal-North. State Cup Championship 2006. Super Y, Pacific Regional Team. CIF-NCS Scholar Athlete (4 years);

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Joanie is one of the best local players in the area... She is the typical, hard-working, savvy box to box midfielder we are looking for. She has the ability to pass long and short, win tackles and make runs into the attack. She is a winner who equally plays both sides of the ball."

Anna Calderon (San Jose, CA/Valley Christian HS)

Four year Varsity Letter and Team Captain of Valley Christian High School, 3 year starter in the Elite West Catholic League. Led team to win West Catholic Championships and CCS 2nd Place finish in 2006 Club player for De Anza Force 90, 2007 State Cup semi Finalist Team Ranked #5 in Nor Cal

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Anna is a quality wide player who will bring an added dimension to our flank play. She has great pace and is very good 1v1 off the dribble. She has the engine to get up and down all game long and I will be looking for her to provide some flashes of brilliance from wide areas."

DEFENDERS

Abbey Kaufman (Tuscon, AZ/Catalina Foothill HS)

A defender for the Arizona Rush Soccer Club. Competed and represented Arizona ODP for 4 years. Graduated with honors from Catalina Foothills high school. Defender on high school varsity team, winning three state championships 2005-2007

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Abbey is a tenacious, competitive and hard nosed defender. She has a great left foot and is very comfortable on the ball. She has the ability to get forward and get quality services into the box. I like the added attacking dimension she can bring as an outside back."

Angela Vuona (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Rancho Santa Margarita HS)

Four year varsity starter for Rancho Santa Margarita HS. She earned MVP honors in high school. Angela has been a defender/midfielder for nine years for the So Cal Blues Soccer Club, four-year starter varsity starter for Rancho Santa Margarita HS. She earned MVP honors in high school.

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Angela is a versatile player who can either play as a center back or holding midfielder. She is great in the air and makes good choices when in possession of the ball. She is a ball winner who will bring a competitive nature to our team."

Kallie Caldwell (Coronado CA/Coronado HS)

Played Varsity soccer 4 years at Coronado HS. Named all CIF second team as a sophomore and Junior. Club player and Team Captain for Albion SC. SC Premiere club team. San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Kallie can play anywhere in the back or as a holding mid. She is a tough competitor, great in the air and very good 1v1. Her athleticism and speed make her tough to beat. I am very excited to see her adapt to the college game."

GOALKEEPER

Sarah Garland (San Diego, CA/WestView HS)

Four-year letter winner and two-year captain at Westview High School. Helped to win two CIF championships and one second-place finish (2004-2007). All CIF Division II Second Team (2006, 2007)? All Section Second Team (2007).All Academic Team (2007). Member of the Nomads Soccer Club ...Cal South State ODP player 2003-2006...Overall career GPA of 4.2 .Distinguished Honor Roll student, National Society of High School Scholars member.

QUOTING COACH CARR: "Sarah is an athletic goalkeeper whose leadership and communication skills make her a huge presence in the back. She makes the big time saves that keep her team in the game. I fully expect her to come in and push for a starting spot.