Aggies Add Six Early Enrollees for 2017 Campaign
Jan 12, 2017 | Soccer
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies announced the arrival of six early enrollees for the upcoming 2017 soccer season. Freshmen Olivia Ausmus (GK – Spring, Texas), Abby Grace Cooper (F – Plano, Texas), Addie McCain (MF – Wylie, Texas) and Sophie Salverino (F – Katy, Texas) and transfers Briana Alston (D – Ashburn, Va./Florida State) and Cosette Morché (GK – Lawrenceville, Ga./Louisiana-Lafayette) all enrolled and they will begin classes on Tuesday.
"This is an exciting time for Aggie Soccer," head coach G Guerrieri said. "2017 is off to a great start with the addition of these six new players. Each of them is an exceptional student with special athletic gifts that will make our team better in the immediate and long term future. Bri and Cozy come to Aggieland with college experience under their belts from playing at Florida State and Louisiana-Lafayette. While Abby Grace, Addie, Olivia and Sophie have each graduated a semester early from high school to be here for our spring semester and non-traditional soccer season.
"Being on campus this spring offers each of these students the opportunity to get acclimated to the high academic standards of Texas A&M. It will also allow them to quickly become members of our tight Aggie Soccer family and receive a full semester of soccer and athletic development under our coaches. All in all it's a positive move by these fantastic players and helps Texas A&M soccer to move forward in our quest to do great things in 2017."
Alston transfers to Texas A&M after spending her freshman campaign at Florida State. The Ashburn, Virginia native played in seven games for the Seminoles in 2016, including one start. She was tabbed the top defender in Virginia by the Washington Post as well as earning All-Virginia Class 5A and All-Met her final prep campaign in 2014. She was also named All-North Region 5A First Team and All-Potomac Conference First Team that year. In 2015 she played with FC Virginia in the ECNL U17 Champions League.
"Briana is a world class athlete with some very impressive soccer accomplishments in her background," Guerrieri said. "She is a very fast and experienced player with a great desire to become a major force in college soccer. Her time at Florida State as a freshman provided a great learning experience in one of the other top programs in American soccer, so we are very excited about the many great gifts she brings to our team for the next three years."
Ausmus was a two-year letterwinner at Klein High School. She garnered District 15-6A Goalkeeper MVP and All-District 15-6A accolades as a sophomore in 2015, guiding the squad to the state playoffs. During her freshman season, she was an all-district honorable mention and led Klein to the state playoffs. Ausmus was selected to the United States Soccer U-18 Women's National Team training camp in 2015. A club player for Challenge SC, Ausmus earned spots on the 2016 ECNL/id2 National Training Camp roster and 2014 Olympic Player Development Girls National Training Camp Region III.
"Olivia is one of the best, most dominant young goalkeepers in America," Guerrieri said. "She is a great shot stopper and leader who comes to us from a familiar developmental path in the Challenge Soccer Club in Houston, where she has worked under some wonderful coaches. She's been invited into USA Youth National Team camps in the past, but I'm confident her best soccer is ahead of her, right here at Texas A&M."
Cooper was a three-year letterwinner at Plano West High School. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America named her the Texas Player of the Year and tabbed her to the High School All-America Team in 2015. She named the District 6-6A MVP in 2015 as well as being named All-America Second Team, All-Texas and all-region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Cooper has spent time with United States Soccer youth squads, including making the U15 squad in 2014 and U14 squad in 2013. She played seven seasons with FC Dallas, including five years with the ECNL squad, leading the team to a third-place national finish in 2013 and a seventh-place finish in 2014.
"Abby Grace is technically gifted and very versatile attacking player, giving us a major scoring threat from a variety of situations," Guerrieri said. "She is smart, skillful, and very dangerous around goal. Her vast experience with USA Youth National Teams and the great coaching she's received at FC Dallas have really made her a fun player for our coaches to have in the team and for our fans to watch and support."
McCain was a three-year letterwinner at Wylie East High School. She led the Raiders to a District 10-5A championship, earning district MVP accolades with 19 goals and 13 assists. McCain earned Dallas Morning News All-Area Second Team recognition. She scored the game-winning goal in the Class 5A state championship match in 2015, earning MVP and all-tournament team status. McCain picked up District 10-5 Midfielder of the Year in 2015. In 2014, the Dallas Morning News named McCain the DFW Newcomer of the Year and she earned District 21-4A Newcomer of the Year. She participated in the U18 United States Soccer U18 National Team training camp in 2014. Playing club soccer for FC Dallas, McCain earned a spot on the 2016 ECNL/id2 National Training Camp roster.
"Addie is already very complete player with awesome leadership skills," Guerrieri said. "As a high school sophomore she led Wylie East to a 5A State UIL Championship and was named the state tournament's MVP. Her coaches at FC Dallas have developed wonderful instincts into her game, especially on how to control a match while she's playing in the heart of midfield. She fits perfectly into our style of play at Texas A&M."
Morché transfers to Texas A&M after spending two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette. The Lawrenceville, Georgia product started 30 games for the Ragin' Cajuns, logging 12 victories, six shutouts, a 1.48 goals against average and a .804 save percentage. As a sophomore she started 15 matches, posting a 1.41 goals-against average, .806 save percentage and four shutouts. In her rookie campaign, she notched four shutouts, a 1.56 goals-against average and a .806 save percentage. Morché was a four-year starter at Peachtree Ridge High School, earning Georgia High School Region VII Goalkeeper of the Year and All-Region VII accolades on two occasions, helping to guide the Lions to a pair of regional titles. Also earned four letters in volleyball as a middle blocker and outside hitter.
"Cozy is already a very good college goalkeeper and has been a starter for two years at ULL, but she decided to transfer to Texas A&M to accomplish big dreams," Guerrieri said. "Her height, shot stopping skills, and sheer presence in goal will bring confidence and excitement to our defense and our fans. I'm excited to see how far she can grow in our program."
Salverino was a three-year standout at Cinco Ranch High School. She helped guide the Cougars to three consecutive state tournaments. Salverino scored two goals in the Class 6A State Semifinal in 2016. She also set the record for fastest goal in state tournament history, notching a goal 17 seconds into a match. Salverino earned all-district first team in 2016 and second team in 2015. She has played club soccer with Albion Hurricanes FC for six years, including four years on their ECNL squad. A mercurial forward, Salverino was all-district performer in the 4x100 and 4x200.
"Sophie is a very fast and exciting attacking player," Guerrieri said. "She is the daughter of parents that met while they were students at Texas A&M. She is the first player to join our program from the Albion Hurricane FC program in western Houston, where she's received outstanding coaching, but I think she has only barely scratched the surface of how great she can be."
The Aggies have now had 14 freshmen early enrollees over the last four years, including Mikaela Harvey, Stephanie Malherbe and Haley Pounds in 2014 and Cienna Arrieta, Jenna Byers, Bri Davis, Jordan Hill, Quinn Murphy and Callyn Walton in 2016.
Texas A&M wrapped up the season with a 12-8-2 mark. The Maroon and White earned a bid to their 22nd consecutive NCAA Championship and advanced to the second round of the tournament for the 19th straight season.
TEXAS A&M 2017 SIGNING CLASS AS OF JANUARY 12, 2017
Briana Alston (D, 5-10, So., Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge HS/Florida State, FC Virginia)
Briana Alston Highlights
Olivia Ausmus (GK, 5-11, Fr., Spring, Texas, Klein HS, Challenge SC)
Abby Grace Cooper (F, 5-7, Fr., Plano, Texas, Plano West HS, FC Dallas)
Abby Grace Cooper Highlights
Addie McCain (MF, 5-9, Fr., Wylie, Texas, Wylie East HS, FC Dallas)
Addie McCain Highlights
Cosette Morché (GK, 6-2, Jr., Lawrenceville, Ga., Peacthree Ridge HS/Louisiana-Lafayette, Atlanta Fire United)
Sophie Salverino (F, 5-5, Fr., Katy, Texas, Cinco Ranch HS, Albion Hurricanes FC)
"This is an exciting time for Aggie Soccer," head coach G Guerrieri said. "2017 is off to a great start with the addition of these six new players. Each of them is an exceptional student with special athletic gifts that will make our team better in the immediate and long term future. Bri and Cozy come to Aggieland with college experience under their belts from playing at Florida State and Louisiana-Lafayette. While Abby Grace, Addie, Olivia and Sophie have each graduated a semester early from high school to be here for our spring semester and non-traditional soccer season.
"Being on campus this spring offers each of these students the opportunity to get acclimated to the high academic standards of Texas A&M. It will also allow them to quickly become members of our tight Aggie Soccer family and receive a full semester of soccer and athletic development under our coaches. All in all it's a positive move by these fantastic players and helps Texas A&M soccer to move forward in our quest to do great things in 2017."
Alston transfers to Texas A&M after spending her freshman campaign at Florida State. The Ashburn, Virginia native played in seven games for the Seminoles in 2016, including one start. She was tabbed the top defender in Virginia by the Washington Post as well as earning All-Virginia Class 5A and All-Met her final prep campaign in 2014. She was also named All-North Region 5A First Team and All-Potomac Conference First Team that year. In 2015 she played with FC Virginia in the ECNL U17 Champions League.
"Briana is a world class athlete with some very impressive soccer accomplishments in her background," Guerrieri said. "She is a very fast and experienced player with a great desire to become a major force in college soccer. Her time at Florida State as a freshman provided a great learning experience in one of the other top programs in American soccer, so we are very excited about the many great gifts she brings to our team for the next three years."
Ausmus was a two-year letterwinner at Klein High School. She garnered District 15-6A Goalkeeper MVP and All-District 15-6A accolades as a sophomore in 2015, guiding the squad to the state playoffs. During her freshman season, she was an all-district honorable mention and led Klein to the state playoffs. Ausmus was selected to the United States Soccer U-18 Women's National Team training camp in 2015. A club player for Challenge SC, Ausmus earned spots on the 2016 ECNL/id2 National Training Camp roster and 2014 Olympic Player Development Girls National Training Camp Region III.
"Olivia is one of the best, most dominant young goalkeepers in America," Guerrieri said. "She is a great shot stopper and leader who comes to us from a familiar developmental path in the Challenge Soccer Club in Houston, where she has worked under some wonderful coaches. She's been invited into USA Youth National Team camps in the past, but I'm confident her best soccer is ahead of her, right here at Texas A&M."
Cooper was a three-year letterwinner at Plano West High School. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America named her the Texas Player of the Year and tabbed her to the High School All-America Team in 2015. She named the District 6-6A MVP in 2015 as well as being named All-America Second Team, All-Texas and all-region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Cooper has spent time with United States Soccer youth squads, including making the U15 squad in 2014 and U14 squad in 2013. She played seven seasons with FC Dallas, including five years with the ECNL squad, leading the team to a third-place national finish in 2013 and a seventh-place finish in 2014.
"Abby Grace is technically gifted and very versatile attacking player, giving us a major scoring threat from a variety of situations," Guerrieri said. "She is smart, skillful, and very dangerous around goal. Her vast experience with USA Youth National Teams and the great coaching she's received at FC Dallas have really made her a fun player for our coaches to have in the team and for our fans to watch and support."
McCain was a three-year letterwinner at Wylie East High School. She led the Raiders to a District 10-5A championship, earning district MVP accolades with 19 goals and 13 assists. McCain earned Dallas Morning News All-Area Second Team recognition. She scored the game-winning goal in the Class 5A state championship match in 2015, earning MVP and all-tournament team status. McCain picked up District 10-5 Midfielder of the Year in 2015. In 2014, the Dallas Morning News named McCain the DFW Newcomer of the Year and she earned District 21-4A Newcomer of the Year. She participated in the U18 United States Soccer U18 National Team training camp in 2014. Playing club soccer for FC Dallas, McCain earned a spot on the 2016 ECNL/id2 National Training Camp roster.
"Addie is already very complete player with awesome leadership skills," Guerrieri said. "As a high school sophomore she led Wylie East to a 5A State UIL Championship and was named the state tournament's MVP. Her coaches at FC Dallas have developed wonderful instincts into her game, especially on how to control a match while she's playing in the heart of midfield. She fits perfectly into our style of play at Texas A&M."
Morché transfers to Texas A&M after spending two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette. The Lawrenceville, Georgia product started 30 games for the Ragin' Cajuns, logging 12 victories, six shutouts, a 1.48 goals against average and a .804 save percentage. As a sophomore she started 15 matches, posting a 1.41 goals-against average, .806 save percentage and four shutouts. In her rookie campaign, she notched four shutouts, a 1.56 goals-against average and a .806 save percentage. Morché was a four-year starter at Peachtree Ridge High School, earning Georgia High School Region VII Goalkeeper of the Year and All-Region VII accolades on two occasions, helping to guide the Lions to a pair of regional titles. Also earned four letters in volleyball as a middle blocker and outside hitter.
"Cozy is already a very good college goalkeeper and has been a starter for two years at ULL, but she decided to transfer to Texas A&M to accomplish big dreams," Guerrieri said. "Her height, shot stopping skills, and sheer presence in goal will bring confidence and excitement to our defense and our fans. I'm excited to see how far she can grow in our program."
Salverino was a three-year standout at Cinco Ranch High School. She helped guide the Cougars to three consecutive state tournaments. Salverino scored two goals in the Class 6A State Semifinal in 2016. She also set the record for fastest goal in state tournament history, notching a goal 17 seconds into a match. Salverino earned all-district first team in 2016 and second team in 2015. She has played club soccer with Albion Hurricanes FC for six years, including four years on their ECNL squad. A mercurial forward, Salverino was all-district performer in the 4x100 and 4x200.
"Sophie is a very fast and exciting attacking player," Guerrieri said. "She is the daughter of parents that met while they were students at Texas A&M. She is the first player to join our program from the Albion Hurricane FC program in western Houston, where she's received outstanding coaching, but I think she has only barely scratched the surface of how great she can be."
The Aggies have now had 14 freshmen early enrollees over the last four years, including Mikaela Harvey, Stephanie Malherbe and Haley Pounds in 2014 and Cienna Arrieta, Jenna Byers, Bri Davis, Jordan Hill, Quinn Murphy and Callyn Walton in 2016.
Texas A&M wrapped up the season with a 12-8-2 mark. The Maroon and White earned a bid to their 22nd consecutive NCAA Championship and advanced to the second round of the tournament for the 19th straight season.
TEXAS A&M 2017 SIGNING CLASS AS OF JANUARY 12, 2017
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Cl. | Hometown | High School/College | Club Team |
| Briana Alston | D | 5-10 | So. | Ashburn, Va. | Stone Bridge HS/Florida State | FC Virginia |
| Olivia Ausmus | GK | 5-11 | Fr. | Spring, Texas | Klein HS | Challenge SC |
| Abby Grace Cooper | F | 5-7 | Fr. | Plano, Texas | Plano West HS | FC Dallas |
| Addie McCain | MF | 5-9 | Fr. | Wylie, Texas | Wylie East HS | FC Dallas |
| Cosette Morché | GK | 6-2 | Jr. | Lawrenceville, Ga. | Peacthree Ridge HS/Louisiana-Lafayette | Atlanta Fire United |
| Sophie Salverino | F | 5-5 | Fr. | Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch HS | Albion Hurricanes FC |
Briana Alston (D, 5-10, So., Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge HS/Florida State, FC Virginia)
- Appeared in seven games for Florida State as a freshman, starting one game
- Named the top defender in Virginia and earned All-Virginia Class 5A and All-Met from the Washington Post in 2014
- Tabbed All-North Region 5A First Team and All-Potomac Conference First Team in 2014
- Named an All-Virginia Class 5A Honorable Mention by the Washington Post in 2013
- Played with the Washington Spirit Reserves in the WPSL during the summer of 2016
- Competed with FC Virginia in the ECNL as a member of the U17 Champions League squad in 2015
- Played with the Mid-Atlantic ECNL PDP team in 2014
- Participated at the 2013 U23 ECNL Nationals
Briana Alston Highlights
Olivia Ausmus (GK, 5-11, Fr., Spring, Texas, Klein HS, Challenge SC)
- Named to 2016 Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)/id2 National Training Camp roster
- Member of Challenge SC for eight years, including five years as a captain
- Selected for 2015 U-18 Women's National Team training camp
- Awarded 2015 District 15-6A Goalkeeper MVP and First Team All-District member
- Helped squad to state playoffs as a freshman and sophomore
- Named to 2014 ODP Girls National Training Camp Region III squad
- Named to 2017 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool in 2013
Abby Grace Cooper (F, 5-7, Fr., Plano, Texas, Plano West HS, FC Dallas)
- Selected as the Texas Player of the Year and a High School All-America National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2015
- Named District 6-6A MVP in 2015 as well as being named to the Texas High School Soccer Association and Dallas Morning News All-Region squads
- Selected by Topdrawersoccer.com to 2015 Winter All-America Second Team, All-State, and All-Region (Texas-North)
- Earned a spot on the UIL Soccer State Championship All-Tournament Team in 2014
- Tabbed the Plano West Lady Wolves Offensive MVP in 2014 and 2015
- Made 2014 U.S. U-15 Girls' National Team as a forward
- On roster for 2013 U.S. U-14 Girls' National Team as a midfielder
- Played club soccer with FC Dallas for seven years, including five years with the ECNL squad
- Helped ECNL squad to a third-place national finish in 2013 and seventh-place finish in 2014
Abby Grace Cooper Highlights
Addie McCain (MF, 5-9, Fr., Wylie, Texas, Wylie East HS, FC Dallas)
- Named to 2016 Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)/id2 National Training Camp roster
- Named to 2016 Second Team All-Area (DFW) by SportsDayHS
- Named 2016 District 10-5A MVP with 19 goals and 13 assists
- Helped Wylie East win 2016 District 10-5A Championship
- Most Valuable Player of the 2015 5A State Championship and member of All-Tournament Team
- Scored decisive goal in the 2015 5A State Championship match
- Named 2015 District 10-5A Midfielder of the Year
- Named Dallas-Fort Worth Newcomer of the Year by the Dallas Morning News and Newcomer of the Year for District 21-4A in 2014
- Participant in 2014 U-18 Women's National Team training camp
Addie McCain Highlights
Cosette Morché (GK, 6-2, Jr., Lawrenceville, Ga., Peacthree Ridge HS/Louisiana-Lafayette, Atlanta Fire United)
- Started 30 career games at Louisiana-Lafayette, logging 2,791 minutes, 12 victories, six shutouts, a 1.48 goals-against average, 189 saves and a .804 save percentage.
- As a sophomore, she started 15 matches, posting a 1.41 goals-against average, .802 save percentage and two shutouts
- As a freshman, started 15 matches, logging a 1.56 goals-against average, .806 save percentage and four shutouts.
- A four-year starter at Peachtree Ridge High School
- Two-time Georgia High School Region VII Goalkeeper of the Year and All-Region VII selection
- Two-time All-Gwinnett County choice
- Helped lead PRHS to a pair of Region VII titles
- Selected to the 2013 Region III '97 Olympic Development Program team to participate in the ODP Girls' Thanksgiving Interregional tournament
Sophie Salverino (F, 5-5, Fr., Katy, Texas, Cinco Ranch HS, Albion Hurricanes FC)
- Named All-District 19-6A First Team in 2016 and Second Team in 2015
- Scored two goals in the 2016 Class 6A State semifinal round
- Set record for fastest goal at the state tournament, scoring 17 seconds into a semifinal contest
- Named District 19-6A Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore
- Also helped Cinco Ranch get to the state semifinals the previous two years
- Spent six years with Albion Hurricanes FC, including four years on the ECNL squad
- Selected to the ODP Regional Team
- Also lettered in track & field, earning all-district honors in the 4x100 Relay and 4x200 Relay
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