2020 class named for women's soccer
The MACJC/Region XXIII Champion Holmes Community College Lady Bulldogs recently announced the members of the 2020 class.
"As a staff, we are very excited for this recruiting class," Associate Head Coach Wesley Noble said. "It consists of really good footballers that are going to allow us play a very good brand of soccer."
"We lost some key players with our sophomores graduating and we expect these players to be able to fill those shoes. I can't wait to get the girls here together and get to work. I think everyone coming in has very high expectations and that fits into our mindset as a group. 2020 is going to be fun!"
Mia Aviles
West Lauderdale
Defender/Midfielder
Mia is a defender from West Lauderdale High where her team has won the 2016, 2017, and 2019 State Championship. Mia currently has 10 goals and 10 assists for West Lauderdale. Mia has extensive club career where she has played for Alliance Futbol Club, Brandon Futbol Club, and International Futbol Club of MS. While at Brandon Futbol Club her team won the Gulf States Premier League and went to compete at the National Premier League Finals along with competing in Regional League Play. The team finished as State Cup Finalists. Her IFC team is currently competing in the Mid South National League.
"Mia plays the game with the intensity you want from all of your players. She is a true competitor with a very good knowledge of the game. She pushes players around her to be better on a daily basis. Mia can fill many different roles inside of a team and I expect her to get to campus and immediately make an impact for us," said Noble.
Kaci Craft
Clinton
Forward
Kaci has been a key component for Clinton High School since her freshmen year. She was named the Golden Boot Award winner her 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years, along with Offensive MVP her Freshmen and Junior Season. As a junior Kaci was selected for the Central MS All Star Game where she won Offensive MVP. She was most recently selected for the Mississippi High School All Star Game in February. She has currently scored over 50 goals in her high school career where she is still adding on to that number. Kaci has played club soccer for Brandon Futbol Club and Brilla Juniors growing up. While at Brandon Futbol Club her team won the Gulf States Premier League and went to compete at the National Premier League Finals along with competing in Regional League Play. The team finished as State Cup Finalists.
"Kaci is described best as simply a goal scorer. She is the type of player that always finds a way to score. Her work ethic and positioning allow her to be very dangerous at all times. We expect Kaci to step in and be a very dangerous component to our attack next year," said Noble.
Olivia Deslatte
Madison Central
Midfielder
Olivia is midfielder from Madison Central where her team finished as 6A State Runners Up in 2019. Olivia was selected for the Central MS All Star Game her Junior Year and the Mississippi Association of Coaches All Star Game her Senior Year. She has played club soccer for both MS Rush and International Futbol Club of MS. She currently plays for IFC where her team is competing in the Mid South Conference of National League. Her team won State Cup and went onto compete at US Youth Regionals in 2018 and 2019.
"Olivia can do it all. She is effective both when defending and attacking. Her work rate is unmatched and her speed of play really separates her. She plays the game with a passion that is contagious to her teammates. I fully expect Olivia to be a top midfielder in our league next season. She has a very bright future," said Noble.
London Dorsey
Jackson Academy
Midfielder
London has been a part of the JA Varsity team since her freshmen year where they were State Champions in 2016, 2017, & 2018. They finished as finalists this past season in 2019. She was awarded the Rising Star Award as a freshmen. During her senior season she was team captain, selected as an All-Conference Player, and a MAIS All Star. She tallied 45 goals and 38 assists in her high school career. She has played club soccer for MS Rush where he team most recently won the 2019 MS State Cup and went onto compete at US Youth Regionals.
"London is a winner that wants to compete day in and day out. She is everything you want in a defensive midfielder, she gets stuck into tackles, wins balls out of the air, and can change the point of attack very quickly. She is a natural leader that can really provide direction inside of a team. London will be a key player for us this fall," said Noble.
Kayley Holloway
Gulfport
Forward
Kayley is a forward from Gulfport High School where she won the Golden Boot award her sophomore year and was selected All District as a junior. Kayley has tallied 44 goals and 21 assists in her 3 years for the Lady Admirals. She was most recently selected for the MS Coast All Star Game. She has played her club soccer for Gulf Coast United where the team competes in the Gulf States Premier League.
"Kayley is very intelligent and unselfish on the field. This makes her very dangerous as a scorer as well as someone who can find the final ball to other players. She has a very good sense of awareness around goal and I think she will be an immediate threat to other teams next year. I think she has the potential to be a very dominant attacking player," said Noble.
Falon Lawrence
Homeschool
Defender/Forward
Falon is currently home schooled but has played at both Northwest Rankin and Madison Ridgeland Academy. In 2017 she a part of the NWR team that went 23 - 2 and finished as 6A State Runner Ups. She played club soccer for MS Rush and now is playing for BFC - MS Rush United.
"Falon is one of those players that can play anywhere on the field. She is athletic, strong, and great at winning challenges. She impacts the game no matter where she is on the field. I believe she will become a key piece for us next year and really grow into the player that she can be," said Noble.
Angela Parker
Richland
Defender
Angela is a center back from Richland High School. Angela serves as the team's captain for the 2019 - 2020 season. In 2019 she was voted most improved player. In 2017, her team made it to the MHSAA State Finals. In 2015 & 2016 they were North State Finalists.
"Angela has loads of raw talent. Over the past few years she has grown into a very good defender along with a great leader. She has great size, speed, and is dominant in the air. As Angela's game evolves she is going to become a big time player in our backline. She has a very high ceiling," said Noble.
Jordan Patrick
Florence
Midfielder
Jordan is a center midfielder from Florence High School. While at Florence, her team has seen much success with winning the MHSAA State Championship in 2018. The team finished as State Finalists in 2019. As a junior, Jordan was selected to the Central MS All Star Game. Jordan has played club soccer for Brandon Futbol Club growing up. While at Brandon Futbol Club her team won the Gulf States Premier League and went to compete at the National Premier League Finals along with competing in Regional League Play. The team finished as State Cup Finalists. She served as captain for her team for several years.
"Jordan is a dynamic midfielder that is very special in tight areas. She is a threat to any backline she plays against. Her ability to strike the ball and beat people off the dribble really sets her apart. We are very excited to get Jordan to campus and begin working with her. I believe the atmosphere she will be in daily is going to help her really take her game to the next level. I am excited to see what Jordan is able to accomplish while here, at Holmes," said Noble.
Madelyn Polk
Warren Central
Defender/Forward
Madelyn is a forward from Warren Central High School where she has become one of the all-time leading scorers in County history. Madelyn has accumulated over 100 goals in her high school career. As a Junior at Warren Central she was the Golden Boot Award winner and All County. She has been selected as a Central MS All Star Game Participant her Junior and Senior Year. The three years prior to her Junior Year she spent at St. Al where she won MVP all 3 years. Madelyn plays as an outside back for her club team International Futbol Club of MS where they compete in the National League Mid South Conference. Her team won State Cup and went onto compete at US Youth Regionals in 2018 and 2019.
"Madelyn brings a lot of attributes to the table. She is great in the attack and is also an exceptional outside back. She does a great job of getting forward when at outside back. Her ability to connect passes will make her a great asset to us in the possession style system we play. Her intelligence on the field helps her play at a very quick pace. Madelyn is going to be very successful at Holmes," said Noble.
Savannah Turner
Madison Central
Midfielder
Savannah is a center midfielder from Madison Central where her team won North State in 2019 and finished as MHSAA State Finalists. She currently serves as team captain for her high school team. Savannah was selected for the Central MS All Star Game as a Junior and selected to the MAC All Star Game as a senior. She has played club soccer for MS Rush and currently International Futbol Club of MS. Her respective club teams have been state champions and competed at US Youth Regionals from 2015 to 2019. She has been the captain of those teams for the past 3 years.
"Savannah is extremely smooth on the ball always seems to find the right pass. She is very good at dictating the pace of the game and helping other players be successful. She covers a lot of ground defensively in the middle of the field and uses her physical ability to her advantage. She is the type of player you want on the field when the game is on the line. I expect her to be very impactful as soon as she steps on campus," said Noble.
Malika Verma
Mobile University
Northwest Rankin
Winger
Malika is a transfer from Mobile University where she was selected to the Southern States Athletic Conference All Freshmen Team. Malika played as a central midfielder during her time at Mobile. Before Mobile, she played high school soccer as a winger/forward at Northwest Rankin where her team won the MHSAA State Championship in 2016 and finished at State Finalists in 2017. Malika grew up playing club soccer for Brilla Juniors, Ms Rush, and International Futbol Club of MS.
"Malika is a crafty and dynamic winger that is very good in wide areas. She brings a tenacity to the field that is very special. Her vision and understanding of the game allows her to excel in all aspects. The thing I like the most about Malika is how much she loves to win, she is a true winner. Malika is a massive addition to our recruiting class and will be key for us next season," said Noble.
The Lady Bulldogs have more commitments that will be released soon.