Central SC Cobras News Release - www.centralsccobras.com
Thursday, April 5, 2012
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Central SC Cobras are pleased to announce the newest additions to their growing roster, with Ayana Russell and Ashley Swinehart joining the squad with remarkable soccer resumes in tow.
Russel brings with her more than a decade of international experience with the Trinidad and Tobago national program, competing at the highest international level as a member of the T&T National Team. The tenacious defender was instrumental in the Soca Princesses’ lineup that earned a silver medal at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. As part of team T&T, Russel represented her nation in the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic qualifying tournaments.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate played in 18 matches for the Blazers during her junior and senior seasons (2008-09). Prior to transferring to UAB, Russell kick-started her collegiate career at Monroe College where she was named NJCAA All-America, Region 3 Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the NJCAA tournament while helping her team to the regional finals in 2007.
Cobras’ Head Coach Sandy Burris feels Russell will be an excellent addition to her expanding squad.
"I am excited to have Ayana join the Cobras," She said. "Her international experience will bring tremendous stability to the back line."
She added that this isn’t the first time Russell has caught her eye as an athlete she’d like to have play for her.
"It is great to finally have the opportunity to coach Ayana, as I recruited her as a college player"
Swinehart, a former W-League standout with the Charlotte Eagles, certainly has a knack for finding the net. Her name is inked multiple times in the Eagles’ record book. She is currently ranked 4th in scoring with 29 goals, 3rd in assists (22), and 3rd in career games played (114).
"Ashley has had a great career as a W-league player with the Charlotte Eagles. When I learned she was living in Columbia, I knew she would add great leadership and experience to a first year franchise. We are excited to add a player with her goal-scoring pedigree," Burris said.
Prior to starting her W-League career, Swinehart was an exceptional student-athlete at Miami University of Ohio. As a sophomore in 2002, she was honored to the First-Team All-MAC and First Team NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region teams. Her acclimates would only grow as an upperclassman.
In 2003, after starting all 18 games of the season, leading the MAC with 16 goals and 34 points, she was titled the MAC Player of the Year, and named to the All-MAC First-Team. The strikers accomplishments included not one, not two, but three hat-tricks; two of which were in back to back games. Her 6-goals in two games had her named MAC Player of the Week and to both Soccer America and Soccer Buzz National Teams of the Week.
Swinehart ended her collegiate career on its highest note yet. Scoring 13 goals and adding three assists for a total of 29 points she was named the MAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. In addition, she racked up CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American, NSCAA Third-Team All-Region, SoccerBuzz.com Third-Team All-Region honors.