USF Women’s Soccer Announces Signees for 2005-06 Academic Year


TAMPA, Fla. (March 14, 2005) –University of South Florida women’s soccer coach T. Logan Fleck announced today that the Bulls have received National Letters of Intent from four high school players, three coming from the State of Florida. In addition to the signees, USF is receiving two transfer students from the University of Tennessee and the University of South Carolina. High school seniors Melanie Sutherland, Ebony Robinson, Morgan Dewey and Gillian Fortune along with transfers Lindsay Brauer and Jenna Ball will officially become a part of the Bulls’ women’s soccer program starting in the 2005 academic year.

Melanie Sutherland comes to USF as a highly-touted defender. While at Edgewater High she anchored the defense for a team that went to the state championship game. The Orlando, Fla., native was named the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida Player of the Year while also being named to the all-state team, the All-Orange County team, the All-Central Florida team and to the All-American Academic Soccer Team. In addition she was a member of the Atlanta Cup Champion Team and the Nike Norcross Girls Champion Cup with her club team, the Seminole Ice.

“Melanie’s a strong, extremely tough defender who we look to shut down attacking threats in the BIG EAST,” said Fleck.

Ebony Robinson comes to USF from Winter Park High. The forward was a member of the Orange County All-Central Florida Team and was named the Winter Park Offensive Most Valuable Player from 2003-04 and 2004-05. The Winter Park, Fla. native helped lead her club team, the Seminole Ice, to the State Cup Final Four and to the Atlanta Cup Championship.

“She’s an upfront, target player who has the speed to take players on,” added Fleck. “We look for her to create scoring chances and score.”

Morgan Dewey is another signee from the State of Florida. The defender comes from Jupiter High where she received the following honors: Rookie of the Year, all-area honorable mention in 2003 and 2004 and first team all-conference in 2004. The Palm Beach, Fla., native helped lead Palm Beach United, her club team, to a state championship in 2004.

“Morgan has the ability to play on the left flank as a defender,” said Fleck. “She’s tough-minded defensively and can get forward into the attack.”

Gillian Fortune is the only member of the 2005-06 signee class from out of state. The Westbury, N.Y., native comes to USF out of Westbury High where she was captain of the soccer team. Besides being able to play both the defender and forward position, she was the state champion in high jump and long jump. Fortune has played club ball for FC Westchester and for the Albertson Elite.

“Gillian is extremely quick and explosive,” Fleck added. “She loves to compete and we look for her to make an impact on both sides of the ball.”

Lindsay Brauer is transferring to USF from Tennessee. In her first season as a Lady Vol she played in all 24 games while getting the start in 23. The Ormond Beach, Fla., native can play both sides of the ball—defender and forward. At Seabreeze High she scored 69 goals in her senior year and had a total of 162 career goals. She led her team to the Class 4A Championship match in 2004. Brauer was on the Region III South Olympic Development team. She was named the Orlando Sentinel’s Volusia/Flagler Player of the Year and played in the McDonald’s High School All-American Game in Carson, Calif.

“She’s an immediate impact player,” Fleck said. “We’re looking for her to be a very big part of the attack. Lindsay’s explosive at beating players and has the ability to score goals.”

Jenna Ball comes to the USF soccer program transferring from South Carolina. In her only year as a Gamecock, she played in 18 matches, scored one goal and tallied an assist. While at Tampa Bay Technical School she led her team to the district finals for the first time in school history, while leading the team in assists. The Tampa, Fla., native lettered four years in soccer at Tampa Bay Tech and was the team’s captain her sophomore through senior years.

“Jenna is very tough and tenacious tackler that has the ability and speed to be a threat in the attacking zone,” coach Fleck commented