SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University head women's soccer coach Sam Odell announced the 2024 Shepherd women's soccer recruiting class today. Nine student-athletes have signed letters-of-intent to play soccer for the Rams this fall.

Sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Highland (Point Pleasant Beach, N.J./Point Pleasant Beach/Georgian Court) lettered four years in soccer at Point Pleasant Beach. She also lettered in basketball and track. Highland gained Defensive Player of the Year honors as a junior and MVP honors as a senior. She was a first team All-State selection. Highland joins the Rams as a transfer from Georgian Court where she played in three games in 2023.

Odell on Highland:
"A goalkeeper with good presence and distribution, we are excited to have Morgan bring her previous collegiate experience to our goalkeeping department and to help her build on her very strong foundation."

Freshman defender Tara Chapman (Mooresville, N.C./Lake Norman) was a four-time All-Conference choice in soccer at Lake Norman. She gained All-Region honors as a junior and senior. A two-time Team MVP, Chapman was a team captain as a senior.

Odell on Chapman:
"Tara brings a wealth of ability to our backline with her presence, athleticism, and play-making ability. We are thrilled to have her solidifying our defense and look forward to her growth in the program."

Freshman midfielder Anaya Lozano (Chesapeake, Va./Atlantic Shores Christian School) lettered in soccer, volleyball, and track at Atlantic Shores Christian School. She earned Metro MVP honors (2022-24) and was a four-time Metro All-Conference choice. Lozano was a two-time first team VISSA D2 All-State selection.

Odell on Lozano:
"A technical player, Anaya's creativity in midfield offers an exciting element to her game that we are looking forward to welcoming to the team. Her versatility will see her have an impact on our attack in a variety of positions."

Freshman defender Emme Rivera (Manassas, Va./Colgan) lettered three years in soccer at Colgan. She was a member of the 2023 Virginia 6A State Champion team. Rivera was named to the 2024 Cardinal District 1 and Virginia Regional District 1 teams and earned second team All-State honors.

Odell on Rivera:
"Emme is coming off a very strong high school season and will look to bring all of that experience to the program. She is a player that frequently plays a variety of positions for her club and high school teams and has a habit of excelling in all of them."
Graduate student forward/midfielder Chloe Stevens (Englewood, Colo./ThunderRidge/Fairleigh Dickinson) lettered two years in soccer at ThunderRidge. She earned first team Academic All-State honors and was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and a four-year honor roll member. Stevens spent her first two seasons at Pacific. She is a transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in psychology with a specialization in mental health.

Odell on Stevens:
"Moving into her graduate studies, Chloe brings with her a wealth of collegiate experience alongside a good range of versatility in attacking areas. Combined with a well-rounded technical base, we are looking forward to working with her and seeing how she can continue to develop while on the program." 
Freshman midfielder Olivia Gardner (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) lettered four years in soccer and two in tennis at Sparrows Point. She was a member of the 2023 State Champion team and earned BCPS All-County and MACS All-State honors. Gardner gained first team All-Metro honors from the Baltimore Sun.

Odell on Gardner:
"Olivia is a versatile attacking player who employs a wide range of skills to complement her game. She has a knack for creating scoring opportunities regardless of the position she plays, an ability that she will look to utilize during her time in the program." 

Freshman forward/midfielder Ava Byrne (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township)  was a three-year starter in soccer and a four-year starter in basketball. She was a two-time team captain in both sports. Byrne was a member of three LL-League Champion teams and a member of the District 3 Champion team in soccer She gained first team LL-League and LL-League Big 11 honors in soccer and added third team All-State and first team LL-League accolades in basketball. She recorded 100 points (32 goals and 36 assists) in soccer and was a 1,000-point scorer in basketball.

Odell on Byrne:
"Ava is an excellent athlete who employs both skill and aggression in the way she plays. Her ability to play with high energy and lead an attack is a key component of her game. We are excited to work with her to achieve her potential."

Freshman defender Mya Alcala (New Market, Md./Oakdale) garnered first team All-County and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Her father, Chris Alcala, played football at Shepherd (1996-99).

Odell on Alcala:
"Mya has all the qualities to become a strong member of our defense. Her athletic ability gives her the flexibility to play numerous positions with efficiency and skill. Her versatility will be of great benefit to the team."

Freshman Julie Rusiecki (Marion, Conn./Southington) lettered in soccer, tennis, track and powderpuff at Southington. She gained All-CCC honors. Rusiecki served as a team captain in soccer and powerpuff. She was also a four-year standout in tennis.

Odell on Rusiecki:
"A tough central midfielder who plays with great vision and energy,  Julia has an eye for the game that will certainly help her excel and develop as part of our environment.

Odell on the recruiting class:
"We're very excited to welcome these new players to our Ram family. They have all been part of excellent environments during their youth careers and we expect them to have an immediate and positive impact on the program."

2024 Shepherd Women's Soccer Recruiting Class
Name                                    Year       Position               Hometown/High School/Previous School
Mya Alcala                              Fr.           D                         New Market, Md./Oakdale
Ava Byrne                               Fr.           F/M                     Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township
Tara Chapman                        Fr.           D                         Mooresville, N.C./Lake Norman
Olivia Gardner                         Fr.           M                        Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point
Morgan Highland                     So.          GK                      Point Pleasant Beach, N.J./Point Pleasant Beach/Georgian Court
Anaya Lozano                          Fr.           M                        Chesapeake, Va./Atlantic Shores Christian School
Emme Rivera                           Fr.           D                         Manassas, Va./Colgan
Julie Rusiecki                          Fr.           M                          Marion, Conn./Southington
Chloe Stevens                       Gr.          F/M                         Englewood, Colo./ThunderRidge/Fairleigh Dickinson