HUNTSVILLE -- The Alabama A&M women's soccer team has signed 16 student-athletes who will continue their athletic and academic pursuits on The Hill, head coach Emanuel Stephens announced.
"I am extremely excited to announce our 2017 recruiting class," said Stephens, in his first year at the Lady Bulldogs helm. "It has been a whirlwind few months since my arrival and I cannot wait to watch these young ladies play. I am beyond excited because these players will positively impact our team on and off the field as freshmen.
"We add pace, intelligence and competitiveness to the squad with these girls, and we cannot be more pleased."
Stephens said the signings fulfill needs for the program and is confident about the coming season.
"We made a major statement with our 2017 class; we identified a number of needs for this coming fall and expect this class, combined with our returning players, to build AAMU into a first class Division I soccer program," he said.
"Alabama A&M is a special place and I believe the sky is the limit. With our premier academic programs, we strongly believe we are a very attractive option for high level student-athletes worldwide."
The Lady Bulldogs kick off their season Aug. 20 when Winthrop University visits Lady Bulldog Field.
Below is a capsule of each incoming recruit:
Daijah DeRamaus
Position:Â Forward
Hometown:Â Decatur, Ga.
Previous School:Â Middle Georgia College
High School:Â Tucker High School
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Braejah Washinton
Position:Â Forward
Hometown:Â Duncanville, Texas
Club Team:Â Dallas Texans
High School:Â Duncanville High School
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Tajah Dallemand
Position:Â Forward
Hometown:Â Plantation, Fla.
Club Team:Â Lauderhill Lyons
High School:Â South Plantation Senior High School
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Keishawna Brown
Position:Â Defender
Hometown:Â Toronto, Ontario
Club Team:Â Toronto Blizzard
High School:Â St. Marguerite d'Youville
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Ayanna Gooden
Position:Â Forward
Hometown:Â Toronto, Ontario
Club Team:Â Toronto Blizzard
High School:Â King's Christian Collegiate
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Khadijah Shakirof-Terika
Position:Â Defender
Hometown:Â Ajax, Ontario
Club Team:Â Toronto Blizzard
High School:Â Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
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Chikere McKnight
Position:Â Midfielder
Hometown:Â Chino Hills, Calif.
Club Team:Â Arsenal FC
High School:Â Ayala High School
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Jodi Medina
Position:Â Goalkeeper
Hometown:Â Coral Springs, Fla.
Club Team:Â Coral Springs United FC
High School:Â Coral Springs Charter School
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Karen Depaz-Veliz
Position:Â Midfielder
Hometown:Â Alpharetta, Ga.
High School:Â Redan High School
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Rocio Grimaldi
Position:Â Midfielder
Hometown:Â Madrid, Spain
Club Team:Â Athletio Madrid
High School:Â IES Ortega y Gasset M86
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Chirsten Jones
Position:Â Midfielder
Hometown:Â Atlanta, Ga.
Club Team:Â Amazon Elite
High School:Â Westlake High School
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Autumn Rogers
Position:Â Forward
Hometown:Â Naples, Fla.
Club Team:Â Florida Fire Juniors
High School:Â Barron Collier High School
Roschelle Thornwell
Position:Â Defender
Hometown:Â Atlanta, Ga.
Club Team:Â Amazon Elite
High School:Â Westlake High School
Eunice Gamero
Position:Â Midfielder
Hometown:Â Pembroke Pines, FL
Club Team:Â Lauderhill Lions FC
High School:Â Charles Flanagan High School
Shina Smith
Position:Â Forward
Hometown:Â Atlanta, Ga.
Club Team:Â Amazon Elite
High School:Â Westlake High School
Alexandria Dixson
Position:Â Forward
Hometown:Â Battle Ground, Wash.
High School:Â Battle Ground High School
