2/8/2018 12:14:00 PM | Soccer
JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State head coach Neil Macdonald completed his signing class for the fall 2018 season and the list runs long with eight newcomers to the program.
The eight-person class is made up of the following players: Micaela Caliento (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Julia England (Chuluota, Fla.), Reilly Kucko (Cornelius, N.C.), Mattie Loyd (Steele, Ala.), Chloe Russo (Plymouth, Mich.), Julia Papa (Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada), Maisie Paulson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Ali Thomas (Huntsville, Ala.).
"We are really excited to welcome this class into our Gamecock soccer family," said head coach Neil Macdonald. "Every player represents exactly the kind of players and people that we want in our program. "They will provide a great deal of balance and depth to our squad as we start building towards winning an OVC Championship."
Micaela Caliento – 5-4, MF/D, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Weston FC DA
Prior to JSU: Preps at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the top-ranked high school girls soccer program in 2016-17 according to Max Preps…played for Carlos Giron on the high school level…helped the Raiders achieve their 31st consecutive District 15-4A Championship… a member of three consecutive District 15-4A title teams and a pair of State Championships as a freshman in 2014-15 and as a junior in 2016-17…St. Thomas Aquinas was tabbed national champions in 2014-15 and 2016-17…accumulated 79 total points throughout her prep career, including 57 points on 57 assists…turned in double digit assists from her sophomore season through her senior campaign, including 22 assists as a senior for the Raiders…carded 11 goals in four years with six of those goals coming as a senior in 2017...member of the Weston FC program and played for the Davie Sharks…held offers from Mercer, Florida Gulf Coast, South Florida and Alabama….an honor student in the classroom and listed among the Who's Who Among American High School Students.
Personal: Born on March 21, 2000…the daughter of Michael and Penny Caliento…plans to major in law and psychology at JSU.
Julia England – 5-6, F, Chuluota, Fla., Hagerty HS, Orlando ECNL
Prior to JSU: Attends Hagerty High School in Chuluota, Florida, which is northeast of Orlando, Florida…one of two newcomers from the Sunshine State, joining Micaela Caliento (Ft. Lauderdale)…a prospective forward on the collegiate level…a four-year member of the HHS soccer team and coached by Angie Densberger…a three-time most valuable player selection at the forward spot…recorded 46 goals and 17 assists on the prep level, including 25 goals as a senior…was named to the Orlando Sentinel's All-Seminole Athletic Conference Team…earned All-State Second Team honors as a sophomore and an First Team All-State honoree as a junior and senior…named captain of the varsity squad and helped the Huskys to 40 wins in four seasons…also participated in cheerleading at HHS…the squad finished second in the state competition and fifth in the national high school competition…chose Jax State over Roanoke, Barry, UNC Charlotte and Flagler.
Personal: Born on October 18, 1999…the daughter of Jamie and Michelle England…interested in majoring in either nursing or finance at JSU…has an older brother, Eric and sister, Nicolette, who is a cheerleader at Troy University.
Reilly Kucko – 5-5, Cornelius, N.C., Hough HS, Carolina Rapids
Prior to JSU: Attends Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, which is just north of Charlotte…a four-year member of the HHS squad and coached by David Smith…earned the HHS Most Valuable Player Award as a junior and has served as a team captain for HHS…turned in All-Conference seasons as a sophomore and junior at HHS after posting 24 assists as a junior…helped HHS to a 16-2-3 overall record as a sophomore and a 17-3-1 mark her junior season…claimed a state championship in club soccer with the Carolina Rapids…an honor student at HHS and inducted in to a pair of honor societies on the prep level – the History Honors Society and the Spanish Honors Society…chose Jax State over Western Carolina, Brevard Collage, Pfeiffer University and UNC Charlotte.
Personal: Born on April 16, 2000 in Pineville, North Carolina…the daughter of Kevin and Kerry Kucko…plans to major in exercise science at JSU….has a younger brother, Luke.
Mattie Loyd – 5-9, GK, Steele, Ala., Westbrook Christian, Fusion FC
Prior to JSU: A local product from Steele, Alabama in Etowah County…preps at Westbrook Christian School in Rainbow City…coached by Joel Hawbaker…helped the Warriors to three straight AHSAA playoff appearances, including a run the to the AHSAA 1A/3A Final Four and a state championship match appearance against Montgomery Academy as a junior in 2017…turned in 10 saves in the 2017 title match…member of the WCS program that produced a 24-1 overall record in 2016 before falling in the Final Four….Loyd was responsible for 15 shutouts in the 24 wins in 2016 and accumulated over 50 shutouts on the prep level…led the Warriors to back-to-back Section Championships in 2015 and 2016…was named honorable mention all-state following the 2017 season…tabbed to the 2016 National Soccer Coaches Association of America's girls All-State team for the state of Alabama…earned a spot on the Greater All-Etowah County Team…also plays basketball and volleyball at WCS…voted a two-time WCS Team Most Valuable Player for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons on the hardwood…earned Second Team All-Region volleyball honors in 2016-17…an honor student at WCS and a member of the Mu Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, Beta Club and Who's Who Among American High School Students…competes with the Fusion FC in the state of Alabama.
Personal: Born on July 15, 2000 in Boaz, Alabama…the daughter of Jonathan and Leah Loyd…plans to major in biology at JSU…one of six children with a pair of brothers, Michael and Eli and three sisters, Emily, Anna and Emma.
Chloe Russo – 5-10, GK, Plymouth, Mich., Mercy HS, Michigan Hawks ECNL
Prior to JSU: Concluding her high school career at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan…adds depth to the Jax State goalkeeper position…coached by Gene Pulice at MHS…named to the Catholic League All-league Team…named a team captain as a junior…earned honor roll status in 2014 and 2015 at MHS…active in club soccer as a member of the Michigan Hawks and coached by Dave Hicklin…a member of the Hawks club that claimed the U15 Disney Presidents Day Championship and finished first in the MRL Division…competed with the U14 squad that was a semifinalist at the Jaguar Invitational…the U14 team participated in the US Soccer NPL Midwest Development League…advanced to the quarterfinals of the U14 bracket in the MSYSA 2014 State Cup…involved in volunteering opportunities with the Michigan Hawks Youth Academy and the Burger School for the Autistic.
Personal: Born on February 8, 2000 in Wyandotte, Michigan…the daughter of Paul and Kim Russo…plans to major in criminal justice at JSU.
Julia Papa – 5-9, MF/F, Uxbridge, Ontario, Uxbridge Secondary School, FC Durham Academy
Prior to JSU: Continues JSU's pipeline from Canada...attends Uxbridge Secondary School in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada…a four-year player for USS…was named the Most Valuable Player at the Uxbridge Tiger Bowl…named the Female Junior MVP at USS…also participated in basketball and track and field…an honor student at USS…active on the club soccer circuit with the FC Durham Academy…coached by Rocky Sasitharan with the FC Durham Academy.
Personal: Born on February 10, 2000 in Ajax, Ontario, Canada…the daughter of Mario and Noeli Papa… plans to major in education at JSU….has an older brother, Angelo and a younger sister, Maria.
Maisie Paulson – 5-4, F, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Mountain Vista HS, Real Colorado ECNL
Prior to JSU: Preps at Mountain Vista High School…coached by Theresa Echtermeyer at MVHS…helped MVHS to the Colorado 5A State Championship in 2017 and state runner up in 2016…earned Second Team All-State recognition as a junior in 2017 and a member of the First Team All-Douglas County as a junior…posted over 40 goals combined in the fall and spring seasons on the club level with the Real Colorado ECNL…named the club program's Most Valuable Player in 2015 and earned tournament MVP honors at the 2015 Arsenal Cup…also competes in track and gymnastics on the prep level…claimed second in the state in the 800 meter run in 2012 and a district qualifier in the 4x100 meter relay team…stellar in the classroom as an honor student at MVHS and inducted in the National Honors Society…also recruited by Colorado State, Vermont, Louisiana Monroe, Saint Mart's University, Colorado-Mesa, Nebraska-Omaha, Campbell and Illinois State.
Personal: Born on June 28, 2000 in Littleton, Colorado…the daughter of Joel and Tia Paulson…plans to major in chemistry and forensic science at JSU….has two younger siblings, a brother, Reese and sister, Kyla.
Ali Thomas – 5-5, F/MF, Huntsville, Ala., Grissom HS, Vestavia Hills SC
Prior to JSU: Another signee from the state of Alabama in the 2018 class out of the Huntsville, Alabama area…attends Grissom High School…coached by Chris Shumate at GHS…led the Tigers to the most wins since the 2011-12 season with 16 wins recorded in 2016-17…compiled 58 goals in three seasons at GHS and recorded 29 assists on the prep level…competed in the AHSAA North-South All Star Classic in Montgomery, Alabama…tabbed to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America First Team All-State for Class 7A in 2017…earned the Golden Boot Award as a sophomore and junior at GHS… and claimed Offensive Player of the Year accolades in her first three seasons on the varsity squad…played basketball as a freshman at GHS…competes on the club level with the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club and led the organization to State Cup Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017…chose Jax State over Georgia State, Cincinnati, Louisville and Grand Canyon.
Personal: Born on July 31, 1999 in Huntsville, Alabama…the daughter of Bruce and Debra Thomas…undecided on a major….has an older brother, Ryan.
The eight-person class is made up of the following players: Micaela Caliento (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Julia England (Chuluota, Fla.), Reilly Kucko (Cornelius, N.C.), Mattie Loyd (Steele, Ala.), Chloe Russo (Plymouth, Mich.), Julia Papa (Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada), Maisie Paulson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Ali Thomas (Huntsville, Ala.).
"We are really excited to welcome this class into our Gamecock soccer family," said head coach Neil Macdonald. "Every player represents exactly the kind of players and people that we want in our program. "They will provide a great deal of balance and depth to our squad as we start building towards winning an OVC Championship."
Micaela Caliento – 5-4, MF/D, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Weston FC DA
Prior to JSU: Preps at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the top-ranked high school girls soccer program in 2016-17 according to Max Preps…played for Carlos Giron on the high school level…helped the Raiders achieve their 31st consecutive District 15-4A Championship… a member of three consecutive District 15-4A title teams and a pair of State Championships as a freshman in 2014-15 and as a junior in 2016-17…St. Thomas Aquinas was tabbed national champions in 2014-15 and 2016-17…accumulated 79 total points throughout her prep career, including 57 points on 57 assists…turned in double digit assists from her sophomore season through her senior campaign, including 22 assists as a senior for the Raiders…carded 11 goals in four years with six of those goals coming as a senior in 2017...member of the Weston FC program and played for the Davie Sharks…held offers from Mercer, Florida Gulf Coast, South Florida and Alabama….an honor student in the classroom and listed among the Who's Who Among American High School Students.
Personal: Born on March 21, 2000…the daughter of Michael and Penny Caliento…plans to major in law and psychology at JSU.
Julia England – 5-6, F, Chuluota, Fla., Hagerty HS, Orlando ECNL
Prior to JSU: Attends Hagerty High School in Chuluota, Florida, which is northeast of Orlando, Florida…one of two newcomers from the Sunshine State, joining Micaela Caliento (Ft. Lauderdale)…a prospective forward on the collegiate level…a four-year member of the HHS soccer team and coached by Angie Densberger…a three-time most valuable player selection at the forward spot…recorded 46 goals and 17 assists on the prep level, including 25 goals as a senior…was named to the Orlando Sentinel's All-Seminole Athletic Conference Team…earned All-State Second Team honors as a sophomore and an First Team All-State honoree as a junior and senior…named captain of the varsity squad and helped the Huskys to 40 wins in four seasons…also participated in cheerleading at HHS…the squad finished second in the state competition and fifth in the national high school competition…chose Jax State over Roanoke, Barry, UNC Charlotte and Flagler.
Personal: Born on October 18, 1999…the daughter of Jamie and Michelle England…interested in majoring in either nursing or finance at JSU…has an older brother, Eric and sister, Nicolette, who is a cheerleader at Troy University.
Reilly Kucko – 5-5, Cornelius, N.C., Hough HS, Carolina Rapids
Prior to JSU: Attends Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, which is just north of Charlotte…a four-year member of the HHS squad and coached by David Smith…earned the HHS Most Valuable Player Award as a junior and has served as a team captain for HHS…turned in All-Conference seasons as a sophomore and junior at HHS after posting 24 assists as a junior…helped HHS to a 16-2-3 overall record as a sophomore and a 17-3-1 mark her junior season…claimed a state championship in club soccer with the Carolina Rapids…an honor student at HHS and inducted in to a pair of honor societies on the prep level – the History Honors Society and the Spanish Honors Society…chose Jax State over Western Carolina, Brevard Collage, Pfeiffer University and UNC Charlotte.
Personal: Born on April 16, 2000 in Pineville, North Carolina…the daughter of Kevin and Kerry Kucko…plans to major in exercise science at JSU….has a younger brother, Luke.
Mattie Loyd – 5-9, GK, Steele, Ala., Westbrook Christian, Fusion FC
Prior to JSU: A local product from Steele, Alabama in Etowah County…preps at Westbrook Christian School in Rainbow City…coached by Joel Hawbaker…helped the Warriors to three straight AHSAA playoff appearances, including a run the to the AHSAA 1A/3A Final Four and a state championship match appearance against Montgomery Academy as a junior in 2017…turned in 10 saves in the 2017 title match…member of the WCS program that produced a 24-1 overall record in 2016 before falling in the Final Four….Loyd was responsible for 15 shutouts in the 24 wins in 2016 and accumulated over 50 shutouts on the prep level…led the Warriors to back-to-back Section Championships in 2015 and 2016…was named honorable mention all-state following the 2017 season…tabbed to the 2016 National Soccer Coaches Association of America's girls All-State team for the state of Alabama…earned a spot on the Greater All-Etowah County Team…also plays basketball and volleyball at WCS…voted a two-time WCS Team Most Valuable Player for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons on the hardwood…earned Second Team All-Region volleyball honors in 2016-17…an honor student at WCS and a member of the Mu Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, Beta Club and Who's Who Among American High School Students…competes with the Fusion FC in the state of Alabama.
Personal: Born on July 15, 2000 in Boaz, Alabama…the daughter of Jonathan and Leah Loyd…plans to major in biology at JSU…one of six children with a pair of brothers, Michael and Eli and three sisters, Emily, Anna and Emma.
Chloe Russo – 5-10, GK, Plymouth, Mich., Mercy HS, Michigan Hawks ECNL
Prior to JSU: Concluding her high school career at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan…adds depth to the Jax State goalkeeper position…coached by Gene Pulice at MHS…named to the Catholic League All-league Team…named a team captain as a junior…earned honor roll status in 2014 and 2015 at MHS…active in club soccer as a member of the Michigan Hawks and coached by Dave Hicklin…a member of the Hawks club that claimed the U15 Disney Presidents Day Championship and finished first in the MRL Division…competed with the U14 squad that was a semifinalist at the Jaguar Invitational…the U14 team participated in the US Soccer NPL Midwest Development League…advanced to the quarterfinals of the U14 bracket in the MSYSA 2014 State Cup…involved in volunteering opportunities with the Michigan Hawks Youth Academy and the Burger School for the Autistic.
Personal: Born on February 8, 2000 in Wyandotte, Michigan…the daughter of Paul and Kim Russo…plans to major in criminal justice at JSU.
Julia Papa – 5-9, MF/F, Uxbridge, Ontario, Uxbridge Secondary School, FC Durham Academy
Prior to JSU: Continues JSU's pipeline from Canada...attends Uxbridge Secondary School in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada…a four-year player for USS…was named the Most Valuable Player at the Uxbridge Tiger Bowl…named the Female Junior MVP at USS…also participated in basketball and track and field…an honor student at USS…active on the club soccer circuit with the FC Durham Academy…coached by Rocky Sasitharan with the FC Durham Academy.
Personal: Born on February 10, 2000 in Ajax, Ontario, Canada…the daughter of Mario and Noeli Papa… plans to major in education at JSU….has an older brother, Angelo and a younger sister, Maria.
Maisie Paulson – 5-4, F, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Mountain Vista HS, Real Colorado ECNL
Prior to JSU: Preps at Mountain Vista High School…coached by Theresa Echtermeyer at MVHS…helped MVHS to the Colorado 5A State Championship in 2017 and state runner up in 2016…earned Second Team All-State recognition as a junior in 2017 and a member of the First Team All-Douglas County as a junior…posted over 40 goals combined in the fall and spring seasons on the club level with the Real Colorado ECNL…named the club program's Most Valuable Player in 2015 and earned tournament MVP honors at the 2015 Arsenal Cup…also competes in track and gymnastics on the prep level…claimed second in the state in the 800 meter run in 2012 and a district qualifier in the 4x100 meter relay team…stellar in the classroom as an honor student at MVHS and inducted in the National Honors Society…also recruited by Colorado State, Vermont, Louisiana Monroe, Saint Mart's University, Colorado-Mesa, Nebraska-Omaha, Campbell and Illinois State.
Personal: Born on June 28, 2000 in Littleton, Colorado…the daughter of Joel and Tia Paulson…plans to major in chemistry and forensic science at JSU….has two younger siblings, a brother, Reese and sister, Kyla.
Ali Thomas – 5-5, F/MF, Huntsville, Ala., Grissom HS, Vestavia Hills SC
Prior to JSU: Another signee from the state of Alabama in the 2018 class out of the Huntsville, Alabama area…attends Grissom High School…coached by Chris Shumate at GHS…led the Tigers to the most wins since the 2011-12 season with 16 wins recorded in 2016-17…compiled 58 goals in three seasons at GHS and recorded 29 assists on the prep level…competed in the AHSAA North-South All Star Classic in Montgomery, Alabama…tabbed to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America First Team All-State for Class 7A in 2017…earned the Golden Boot Award as a sophomore and junior at GHS… and claimed Offensive Player of the Year accolades in her first three seasons on the varsity squad…played basketball as a freshman at GHS…competes on the club level with the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club and led the organization to State Cup Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017…chose Jax State over Georgia State, Cincinnati, Louisville and Grand Canyon.
Personal: Born on July 31, 1999 in Huntsville, Alabama…the daughter of Bruce and Debra Thomas…undecided on a major….has an older brother, Ryan.
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