Carolina Elite Cobras News Release - www.carolinaelitecobras.com
Monday, May 5, 2014
GREENVILLE, S.C. - The Carolina Elite Cobras are happy to announce that 10 players from last year’s Southeastern Conference Championship team are returning for the 2014 W-League season.
The returning players include India Trotter, Rose Hull, Blakely Mattern, Sarah Jacobs, Hannah Gmerek, Savannah Mcaskill, Kaleigh Kurtz, Rebecca Nelson, Stephanie Devita, Allie Johns, and Rachel Baer.
"I am excited to have the core of our 2013 roster return this season,” Cobras Head Coach Sandy Burris said. “They are such a talented group of players that have defined the level of play and team attitude."
Leading the returning players in goal this season will be Rose Hull, an 18-year-old from Furman University who started in all but one game for the Cobras last season. Hull earned All-Conference Honors and was a finalist for the W-League Goalkeeper of the Year Award last season.
The Cobras will also return the W-League Defender of the Year, Blakely Mattern. Mattern was also named to the All-Conference and All-League teams last season.
“Blakely has the most amazing attitude when it comes to leading her team,” Burris said. “They respect her work rate and the way she expects the best effort from herself as well as her teammates.”
Looking to lead the offensive attack this year is the duo of India Trotter and Steph Devita.
"Steph and India really came together at the end of the season last year and I think they have formed the bond that all great striker pairings need,” Burris said.
Burris believes Trotter’s experience as a veteran national team player has helped Devita since her invite into the national team camp and says that their bond can be seen on the field.
Jacobs, Mcaskill and Kurtz will make up the strength and depth in the midfield.
“Sarah is the veteran of this young group since Kaleigh and Savannah were added last year,” Burris said. “They will continue to add speed and athleticism to the team despite the fact that they are the youngest members of the team.”
Rounding out the returning players this season will be Gmerek, Nelson and Johns.
“I am so happy to have these three returners because between the three of them they have played every position except for goalkeeper,” Burris said. “Hannah played such a big role in the air and on the backline for us last year and Rebecca and Allie are true team players who are willing to play anywhere they are needed on the field.”
Burris will also add a new member to her coaching staff this year as Baer will serves as both a player and an assistant coach.
"I am very excited to have Rachel in an assistant role for me this year. She has a great head for the game both as a player and a coach,” Burris said.
The Cobras will kick off their 2014 season Sunday, May 18 against the Dayton Dutch Lions at 1 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio.