Seahawks Rebuild Nest With Seven-Player Signing Class

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Three players from the Tar Heel State, three from the Commonwealth of Virginia and one from the Empire State make up the early signing period class for the UNC Wilmington women’s soccer program, head coach Paul Cairney announced.

Forward Johanna Rose (Jacksonville, N.C./White Oak); midfielders Amanda Holmes (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) and Kristal Tucker (Jacksonville, N.C./White Oak);  defenders Lindsey Henry (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge), Jennifer Ludemann (Greensboro, N.C./Wesleyan Christian Academy) and Ali Nagle (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) and goalkeeper Caitlin Hunter (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) will join the Seahawks as freshmen for the 2009 season.

“We graduated seven seniors from our 2008 squad who all played a role in our success,” said Cairney. “That group is one that is tough to replace. Our 2009 freshmen class will provide depth and competition at every position and complement the outstanding group of players we have returning for the upcoming season.”

The Seahawks finished the 2008 season with a 12-7-1 overall mark and an 8-3 conference record, winning seven of their final eight contests to end the regular season tied for second in the CAA standings and match their highest conference finish in program history.

UNCW’s eight victories in conference play tied the program’s single-season mark and the team ended the campaign one win shy of matching the school record for overall wins.

Complete bios and quotes from Coach Cairney for all seven signees can be found below.

Lindsay Henry
Defender
Ashburn, Va.
Stone Bridge

HIGH SCHOOL: Has started all 60 games at center back during career at Stone Bridge ... Three-time First-Team All-Liberty District and All-Northern metro selection ... Honorable Mention All-Metro pick by Washington Post all three seasons ... Second-Team All-State honoree following junior season ... Led Bulldogs to No. 2 ranking in Washington Post Virginia Class AAA poll ... CLUB/ODP: Two-year member of district, state and regional ODP programs ... Plays on Loudoun Hotshots for coach Randy May.  

Cairney about Henry: “Lindsay is the type of center back that will do well in the CAA. She is tough in the tackle; strong in the air; reads the game well and has great service from the back.  Has played on a very competitive and well-coached Loudon ‘90 Club team. While she has picked up many awards and accolades as a player, it is her confidence, toughness and natural leadership that makes her a great prospect for UNCW.”

Amanda Holmes
Midfielder
Chesapeake, Va.
Great Bridge

HIGH SCHOOL:                 Two-time First-Team All-District and All-Eastern Region Second-Team pick ... Two-time All-Tidewater selection ... Named Team MVP as a sophomore ... Southeastern District Rookie-of-the-Year ... Also participates in Cross Country and Track & Field Great Bridge ... CLUB/ODP: Three-year member of ODP state program ... Two-year participant in ODP Region I camp ... Played for coach Jay Hoffman with Virginia Rush ‘Nike Team’ ... Led squad to Virginia State Cup semifinals in 2005 and quarterfinals appearances in 2006 and 2007 ... Disney Showcase finalist in 2006 and 2007.

Cairney about Holmes: “Amanda is a very creative attacking midfielder. Her speed and athleticism will allow her to be a wide attacker with us. She understands the game very well and has the ability to change games with her skill and soccer knowledge. She has also achieved a great level of success with VA ODP, and I feel confident that she will add an attacking flair to our side next season.”

Caitlin Hunter
Goalkeeper
Ashburn, Va.
Broad Run

HIGH SCHOOL: Has posted 62-6-1 in three years in goal with the Spartans, allowing just 30 goals and posting 42 shutouts ... Guided Broad Run to 25-0 record and state championships as a junior ... Helped Spartans reach state quarterfinal round in freshman and sophomore campaigns ... First-Team All-Metro selection by the Washington Post following junior season ... Honorable mention All-Metro selection by Washington Post as a sophomore ... Three-time academic All-District selection ... CLUB/ODP: Plays for coach Randy May and Loudoun Hotshots program. Helped team to top ranking in Virginia and top ten ranking nationally during the summer of 2008 ... Member of ODU state team.

Cairney about Hunter: “Caitlin is a very athletic goalkeeper. She has played on a very competitive and well-coached Loudon ‘90 Club team. Her size and athletic ability will allow her to compete as a freshman at UNCW. She is the type of keeper who can excel in this environment.”

Jennifer Ludemann
Defender/Midfielder
Greensboro, N.C.
Wesleyan Christian

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year starter for Trojans ... Led squad to State semifinal appearance during sophomore season ... First-team All-Conference and All-Region selection following junior season ... Second-Team All-Conference selection as a sophomore ... Member of National Honor Society ... Also plays basketball at Wesleyan Christian, earning First-Team All-Conference accolades as a junior ... CLUB/ODP: Plays for Greensboro Twisters and coach Marc Nichols ... Led team to back-to-back NCYSA state cup championships ... Guided squad to third-place finish in Region III Premier League ... Made three straight appearances in U.S. Youth Soccer Region III national championships.  

Cairney about Ludemann: “Jennifer is a player who likes to win. Her club team, Greensboro Twisters recently won the NCYSA State Cup. She is a big reason for their success. She possesses great natural talent as a defender: she strikes the ball well, times tackles and is great in the air. But what makes her exciting to me is her potential to be even better. She missed part of her sophomore year due to injury and worked very hard to get back to playing. She will bring a good level of athleticism to our back line.”

Ali Nagle
Defender/Midfielder
Baldwinsville, N.Y.
C.W. Baker

HIGH SCHOOL: All-League, All-Section 3 and All-Central New York selection following junior and senior seasons ... All-State selection and league MVP as a senior after recording 30 points on nine goals and 12 assists ... Led Bees to NYHSAA New York State semifinals during senior season ... NYS Scholar-Athlete and member of National Honor Society.  CLUB/ODP: Plays for coach Tony Epifani on Syracuse Fury club team ... Has lead Fury to four NYS West State Cups ... Served as fury’s team captain for three years ... Two-time participant in U.S. Youth Soccer National League.

Cairney about Nagle: “Ali has been the captain of just about every team she has played on. This speaks volumes to her ability to lead by example, both on and off the field. As a defensive-type player, she is a blue-collar type of worker and is not afraid to throw herself around. She is good in the air, tough in the tackle and hits a dead ball very well. She will provide great depth with our backs and is a player who will get better in her 4 years at UNCW.”

Johanna Stephanie Rose
Forward
Jacksonville, N.C.
White Oak

HIGH SCHOOL: Has guided White Oak to three straight NCHSAA 3A State Championships ... Has tallied 289 points on 105 goals and 79 assists during her three-year career to date ... Named NCHSAA Championship MVP as a junior ... Two-time All-State and All-Region selection ... Three-time All-Conference honoree ... MEC Player-of-the-Year as a junior ... Jacksonville Daily News Offensive Player-of-the-Year and All-Area pick following junior campaign ... Member of National Honor Society ... Plays with fellow UNCW signee Kristal Tucker on White Oak squad ... CLUB/ODP: Plays with fellow UNCW class of 2009 signee Kristal Tucker on OCSA Coastal Crew club team. Led squad to 2008 U.S. Club Soccer U17 National Championship ... Guided squad to three NCYSA state cup finals appearances and one State Cup Championship.

 Cairney about Rose: “Johanna Stephanie is a true goal scorer. In three years at White Oak she has scored an amazing 105 goals and assisted on 79 others. In addition, her OCSA Coastal Crew team has enjoyed tremendous success on a national level. A tough-nosed player, she has tremendous speed going forward and always seems to find herself in the right position to finish. In addition, she is very coachable and wants to get better. She will add a great dimension to our attack this season.”

Kristal Tucker
Defender/Forward
Jacksonville, N.C.
White Oak

HIGH SCHOOL: Has guided White Oak to three straight NCHSAA 3A State Championships ... Has amassed more than 40 goals and 50 assists during prep career ... First-Team All-Conference, All-Area and All-Region selection following junior season ... Plays with fellow UNCW class of 2009 signee Johanna Rose on White Oak squad ... CLUB/ODP: Plays with fellow UNCW class of 2009 signee Johanna Rose on for coach Roger Carroll on OCSA Coastal Crew club team ... Led squad to 2008 U.S. Club Soccer U17 National Championship ... Guided squad to three NCYSA state cup finals appearances and one State Cup Championship.

Cairney about Tucker: “Kristal is one of the fastest players I have seen. Her natural speed allows her to get behind teams as a forward, or not get beaten behind when she is playing at the back. I am very excited to coach Kristal because she has the potential to step in and contribute in a few key positions for us next season.”