Boiling Springs, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb athletics department in conjunction with Head Women’s Soccer Coach Kevin Mounce are pleased to announce the signing of seven student-athletes that will continue both their academic and athletic careers at Gardner-Webb University.

Gardner-Webb has added Melissa Fishbein, Megan Frost, Jane Gielser, Sarah Morabito, Taylor Napoli, Samantha Rupert and Mallory Adler to the roster for the upcoming 2009 season.

Fishbein, who comes to Gardner-Webb from Lawrenceville, Ga., is a four-year letterwinner at Collins Hill High School under coach Jeff Tinklepaugh. Heading into her senior season this spring, Fishbein has scored four goals and picked up 10 assists over her first three years at Collins Hill H.S., all coming from the defensive backfield.

The defender is also a current member of the Atlanta Fire Club team coached by Andy Trevors, where last season she scored three goals and had eight assists. As a member of the GSA Phoenix Red from 2006-2007, Fishbein had eight goals and nine assists, where her team was 2007 State Cup quarterfinalists, 2007 Atlanta Cup finalist, 2006 Orange Classic semi-finalist and 2006 Norcross Nike Cup Champions.

Frost, who hails from Crofton, Md., will join her sister Tina Frost as a Bulldog in 2009. Frost, a four-year letterwinner at Arundel High School under head coaches Tom Degner and Laura Coe, started in the midfield for the last three years. In 2007, Frost helped guide her team to the County Finals. This past season, Frost, who was one of the team leaders in goals and assists, was a captain of the team that was 2008 County Champions, 2008 Conference Champions and was 4A Regional Finalists.

Frost, who played ODP in 2006 and 2007, is a member of the ASA Illusion Club team coached by Graeme Miller and Kerry Brimmer. Over her four years with the club, Frost has been a part of teams that have won over nine championship tournament events as well as being State Cup quarterfinalist the past three years.

Academically, Frost received the AP Scholar Award for her work in the classroom.
 

Giesler, a 5-7 midfielder and sweeper from Cold Spring, Kentucky, comes to Gardner-Webb by way of Newport Central Catholic High School where she played under coach Kevin Turnick. Giesler is a four-year letterwinner that scored six goals and had six assists from the sweeper position. Over her four years at Newport Central Catholic, Giesler was apart of a program that put together a 60-19-6 record, had 44 shutouts and was the 2005, 2006 and 2007 All-A State Champions, 2005 10th region champions 2005 19th district champion and the 2006 and 2007 19th district runner-up. As a sophomore in 2006, Giesler was named to the First Team All-Region, Second Team All-State, Enquirer All-City Team and the team’s defensive MVP. In 2007, she was named to the Second Team All-Region, an honorable mention for the All-State team and the team’s defensive MVP for the second consecutive year. Last year as a senior, Giesler finished out her high school career with even more honors as she was named First Team All-District, Enquirer All-City, First Team All-State, NKY Defensive Player of the Year, Team MVP and one of the top five players from the east side of Kentucky.

Academically, Giesler, who is also a member of the NK United Red Club team under head coach Barnard Baker, is strong in the classroom as she has received the Larosas Athletic Scholarship.

Morabito, who can play both the midfield and forward positions, comes to the Bulldogs by way of Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, S.C. Morabito is a four year letterwinner at Dutch Fork H.S. where she has helped guide her team to three-straight top-10 state rankings at the 4A level. Heading into her senior campaign this spring, Morabito had collected 10 goals and 14 assists spanning from her freshman to junior year. As a freshman in 2005, Morabito was named the DFHS Outstanding Practice Player Award for her dedication and hard work ethic throughout the season. In 2006, she was a 4A Region 5 All Region Selection and 4A All-State nominee as a sophomore, while just last season Morabito was a 4A All-State selection, 4A Region 5 All-Region selection and The State Newspaper All-Area selection.

A current member of the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy U18 Premier club team, Morabito was a part of the squad that won the SCYSA State Championships U18 and went to the Region III Championships in Dallas, TX in 2008.

Academically, Morabito is a four-year member of the National Honor Society and is 49 out of 481 in her class with a grade point average of 4.31.

Napoli, a midfielder from Wyomissing, PA, comes to GWU from Wilson High School where she plays under head coach Tim Fick. Napoli, who’s senior season will kick-off this spring, is a three-year starter at Wilson H.S. where she has scored 26 goals and dished out 18 assists spanning from her freshman through junior years. As a freshman in 2005-06, Napoli earned First-Team All-Division recognition, while in 2006-07 she was named to the First-Team All County team as she helped guide her team to the 2007 District Champions and State quarterfinals. As a junior last season, Napoli again was named First-Team All-Division, as Wilson High was 2008 County Champions and State Semi-finalists.

As a member of the FC Delco Club team under head coach Jess Reynolds, Napoli was a part of the team that was Vegas Showcase Champions and State-Cup semi-finalists.

Academically, Napoli is a member of the National Honor Society.

Rupert, who hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, is a goalkeeper from Glen Este High School where she played under head coach Al Kirk. Rupert, who also saw time at midfield, is a four-year letterwinner who manned the goal the last three seasons. In her first season lining up in goal, Rupert was named to the Second Team All-Conference, posting 132 saves and three shutouts in 735 minutes over 10 games. Last year as a senior, Rupert played 16 games, picking up 58 saves on 69 shots against and three shutouts on her way to being named First Team All-Conference.

Academically, Rupert, who is also a member of the Cardinals Club team under head coach Scott Cagle, was a scholar athlete and also won the sportsmanship award her senior season.

Alder, who hails from Fort Thomas, KY, is a 5-8 midfielder and forward who played at Highlands High School where she was a two-year varsity letter recipient after transferring from Conner High School. In 2008, Adler was the leading scorer as she had 12 goals and four assists at the starting forward position. Adler was a 2008 NKGHSSCA Senior All-Star nominee, 2008 NKGHSSCA All-Northern Kentucky nominee, 2008 NKGHSSCA First Team All-Northern Kentucky selection and 2008 NKGHSSCA All-State honorable mention. In 2008, her team was District Champions, Regional Champions, Sectional Champions and State Runner-ups, as Adler was named to the District All-Tournament team and the Regional All-Tournament team.

Academically, Adler excels in the classroom as she has a 4.0 grade point average and is ranked 29th overall in her class. Adler is a member of the Cum Laude Society, the National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America 2008-09. She was a U.S. Achievement Academy All-American Scholar in both 2007 and 2008 and was the Anthony Munoz Leadership Award winner in 2008.

The Bulldogs return seven of their top eight goal scorers from the 2008 season and two of the top three student-athletes who led the team in assists. Combined with Jessica Tuggle in goal, who started 10 matches, and a good mix of returners and the highly touted previously mentioned recruiting class, GWU will look to not only make the Big South Women’s Soccer Championship field in 2009, but also take aim at its first Big South Conference title.