Carrollton – With the 2009 season just over two months away, the West Georgia soccer program has several things to look forward to in a new field, their first clubhouse, and the very first UWG home game under lights. Highlighting what is going to be an exciting fall, are the five Georgian signees that Head Coach Marisa Kovacs is bringing to the pitch.
“It’s definitely a smaller class than we’ve had in the past but with our solid group of returnees, I look for theses five ladies to make an impact and fill in the roles left vacant by our four graduated seniors,” explain Kovacs.
One word to describe the ’09 class is speedy. West Georgia will be explosive throughout the line-up when just one of these ladies steps onto the field.
Postseason success is something these five ladies have come accustom to from their successful high school and club teams, as four were involved with high school playoffs just a few short months ago.
Coming from across the other side of I-20 is Stormi Childs (Evans). Childs just completed a stellar high school career at Greenbrier. She led her squad to a Final Four appearance in the 5A state tournament. “She is a very athletic player who has the ability to play anywhere on the pitch, however, fullback is where I believe she will thrive the most,” stated Kovacs. Childs adds speed to the Wolves backline and with the loss of Chelsy Yarbrough to graduation, she [Childs] will need to step in and make an impact.
Adding to the mix is a trio of AAAA players in Kimberly Gebert (Cartersville), Bethany Austin (Peachtree City), and Kate Marnock (Peachtree City). Gebert comes to UWG via Woodland High School and brings an extreme work ethic that one can only hope is contagious. Along with a drive of 110% she brings a mix of strength and speed that that Kovacs looks to use in the flanks of her attacks. Austin and Marnock are just another duo that will continue their play together in college, as these two ladies played at the perennial Georgia soccer power of McIntosh High School.
Austin is described by her new coach as “a blue-collar type” meaning she is willing to put in the hard work that is needed for the Wolves to be successful. Her versatility blended with a speed that will deceive defenders along the way will prove to be a useful combination in the UWG midfield. Her long time teammate in Marnock is a striker that any coach would be lucky to have. As Kovacs would enlighten, “[Kate] brings the speed and quickness we look for up top and a nose for the goal. I believe she will make an instant impact on our program and in the Gulf South Conference.”
Layna Carnicom will be making the shortest drive to West Georgia as she was a star performer at the Heritage School just up Highway 27 in Newnan. Carnicom help lead the Hawks to a second place finish in the Georgia Independent Schools AA state playoffs, and earned was named to the AA All-State team in her junior and senior seasons. Coach Kovacs had this to say about Carnicom, “She is a technically sound player that plays very smart. I look for to find a spot in our midfield or in the back and her ability will allow her to be a quality player maker.”
It is tough to replace what West Georgia lost to graduation, however, with the addition of these five and the hunger of those returning, look for the Wolves to bring a scare to the GSC elite.