By: By Al Barba
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State head women's soccer coach
Benji Walton announced the signing of five recruits during National Signing Day on Wednesday (Feb. 7). The group will enroll in the fall and join the Owls' 2018 roster.
The list of signees includes: Lexi Labonte (Ormond Beach, Fla. / Spruce Creek High School), Dylan Pixton (Longwood, Fla. / Lyman High School), Sydney Sauer (Winter Springs, Fla. / Winter Springs High School), Jenna Vollrath (Cumming, Ga. / South Forsyth High School) and Danielle Vos (Istanbul, Turkey / British International School Istanbul).
"We are extremely excited about these five individuals," Walton said. "Our goal with this class was to find smart technical soccer players who have a true drive for the game, and we wanted to improve our depth at every line on the field. Not only do I think we have accomplished that, but I cannot be more pleased with how this class came together.
"These five recruits are very capable of providing an instant impact to our team," Walton added. "Their passion for the game combined with how they train and compete really falls in line with the culture that our returning group has established."
The signing class includes one defender, one forward, two midfielders and a goalkeeper.
The following is a capsule on each signee.
Lexi Labonte (Midfielder, 5-6, Ormond Beach, Fla. / Spruce Creek High School)
Attended Spruce Creek High School in Orange, Fla. . . . Did not play high school soccer . . . Trained with the Florida Krush of the Women's Premier Soccer League last summer . . . Played with 2018 Kennesaw State recruits Dylan Pixton and Sydney Sauer on Florida Kraze Krush club team . . . Helped team to the 2017 State Cup Championship and Southern Regional quarterfinals . . . Team placed second at the 2016 Region III Premier League, captured the Southern Regional championship and was a national semifinalist . . . Florida Kraze Krush was State Cup finalists in 2015 . . . 2014 team was CASL showcase champions, State Cup champions and Southern Regional quarterfinalists . . . 4.0 student and International Baccalaureate . . . Ranks in the top 20 out of 585 students in Spruce Creek High's 2018 senior class.
Dylan Pixton (Goalkeeper, 5-5, Longwood, Fla. / Lyman High School)
A three-year letter winner and three-time team captain at Lyman High School in Longwood, Fla. . . . Twice named Seminole Athletic Conference first team all-conference as a goalkeeper and two-time Most Valuable Defensive Player . . . Played with 2018 Kennesaw State recruits Lexi Labonte and Sydney Sauer on the Florida Kraze Krush club team . . .
2013: Runner-up in State Cup, Florida Cup Champions, and ESPN Disney Tournament Champions . . .
2014: State Cup Champions, quarterfinalists in Southern Regional Championships, Florida Cup Champions, Discovery Cup Champions, Jefferson Cup Runner-ups, and ESPN Disney Tournament Champions . . .
2015: Runner-up in State Cup, Florida Cup Champions, and ESPN Disney Tournament Bronze Medalists . . . .
2016: Runner-up in State Cup, Southern Regional Champions, semifinalists and bronze medalist at the national championships . . . ESPN Disney Tournament Champions . . . Received the Southern Regional Championships Golden Glove Award . . .
2017: State Cup champions and quarterfinalists in Southern Regional Championships.
Sydney Sauer (Midfielder, 5-7, Winter Springs, Fla. / Winter Springs High School)
Split prep career between Spanish River High School (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Winter Springs High School (Winter Springs, Fla.) . . . A two-time first team all-conference selection by the
Palm Beach Post and
Florida Sun Sentinel . . . Twice named first team All-Palm Beach County . . . 2016 Spanish River HS Most Valuable Player . . . 2015 Scholar-Athlete Award recipient and ranks third in Winter Springs High's 2018 senior class . . . Played with 2018 Kennesaw State recruits Lexi Labonte and Dylan Pixton on the Florida Kraze Krush club team . . . Part of State Cup championship teams in 2015 and 2017 . . . Southern Regional champions in 2016 and 2017 . . . National semifinalist in 2016 . . . Member of the Florida State ODP team from 2012-16 . . . Regional ODP Pool in 2015 and 2016.
Jenna Vollrath (Forward, 5-10, Cumming, Ga. / South Forsyth High School)
A three-year letter winner at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, Ga. . . . Named team's best offensive player three times . . . Tabbed first team All-Forsyth County by the
Forsyth County News as a junior and selected second team as a freshman and sophomore . . . A member of the United Futbol Academy Premier club team freshman through junior years and United Futbol Academy DA program as a senior . . . Team won State Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.
Danielle Vos (Defender, 5-8, Istanbul, Turkey / British International School Istanbul)
Attended three different high schools . . . Did not play high school soccer as a freshman, opting to play for the Soccer Academy Jeddah club team in Saudi Arabia . . . Moved to Georgia for sophomore season and attended Walton High School in Marietta . . . Played for the North Atlanta Soccer Association G99 club team and advanced to the state finals . . . A member of the 2000 Georgia Olympic Development Program . . . Moved to Turkey for junior and senior years and played for Kirecburnu Spor club team . . . Competed in the Turkey Women's First League . . . Will graduate from British International School Istanbul.
"I am eager to get our new group of recruits here and start integrating them with our returners and have them begin the process of developing chemistry with one another," Walton said. "I think both our returners and this class will truly feed off each other and ultimately take our team to a new level. I am anxious and excited for the 2018 season."
Admission to all home women's soccer matches is free.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State soccer news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSoccer or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.
