THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's soccer team announced the signing of seven student-athletes for the upcoming 2015 season.
The seven signees this year equal the amount that the Colonels added on national signing day last season. The class is made up of Haylee Atwell (Metairie, La.), Kristyn Daniels (Royse City, Texas), Olivia Abadie (Mandeville, La.), Erin Blackwell (Spring Hill, Fla.) Madison Slavens (Royse City, Texas), Lindsay Gardner (Rockwall, Texas) and Elizabeth Newell (Aiken, S.C.).
2015 Signees:
Haylee Atwell, a 5'6'' freshman from Metairie, La. comes to Nicholls from Lakeshore High School. Atwell was an All-District First Team selection for the Titans in 2012, 2013 and 2014. She was named to the Times Picayune All-Metro team in 2014, as well as being named the Lakeshore High School Overall MVP. Atwell was an honor roll student all four years of high school, a member of Mu Alpha Theta and a member of the National Honor Society, while also playing for the Mandeville club soccer team. Daughter of Jeannie and Scott Atwell, Haylee has one sister, Marissa, and will major in Accounting/Business.
Lindsay Gardner (left), Madison Slavens (Middle), Kristyn DanielsKristyn Daniels, a 5'4'' midfielder from Royse City High School in Texas, will join the Colonels for the upcoming season. Daniels was selected to the All-District First Team in 2013 and 2014 as a member of the Bulldogs. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, while maintaining a GPA in the top ten percent of her class. Daniels played for the Andromeda, Dallas Rush and Texas Spirit club teams. She is the daughter of Walter and Marla Daniels, and has one sister, Kaylie, who will be a senior on the 2015 Nicholls soccer team.
"I think recruiting a player's sister is one of the hardest things, especially being a younger sibling myself," Harrison said. "Even though Kristyn is related to Kaylie, trust me when I say she is her own person. Kristyn plays with a little bit of an edge and I respect that in our players. Once again along with the Daniels family, I think it is safe to say it's been a long time in the works, but we are all glad this is finally official. We're excited about four more years of Daniels."
Olivia Abadie, a 5'0'' defender from Mandeville, La. comes to Nicholls from Lakeshore High School, where she played alongside fellow signee, Atwell. Abadie was a four-year starter for the Titans, who reached the state semi-finals in 2012 and the state quarterfinals in 2013 and 2014. She was nominated for the Times Picayune Best Defender award in 2012 and 2013 and was named All-District in her senior season. Abadie carried a 4.42 weighted GPA and was selected to the attend the National Youth Leadership Careers in Medicine Conference, while also playing for the U18MSC Elite Premier club soccer team. She is the daughter of Mark and Andrea Abadie and has two siblings, Madeleine and Nathan. Abadie is related to Kristopher Heigle, who played football for Nicholls and Taylor Nunez, who played baseball for the New York Yankees.
"It's hard not to notice Olivia on a field," Harrison said. "It starts as a simple observation of her height, quickly followed by 'WOW! That girl is everywhere.' Olivia finds ways to get involved in games and never shies away from a challenge. She loves to be the one to get the attack started. Olivia came to camp and we saw her approach every day with the same intensity. We knew right then she would be a great addition to our program."
Erin Blackwell, a 5'4'' midfielder from F.W. Springstead High School in Spring Hill, Fla. will join the Colonels for the upcoming season. As a member of the Eagles soccer team, Blackwell was third in the county in goals scored with 23 in the 2013-14 season, and was selected to the All-County team and All-North Suncoast team. This past season she ranked second in the county in goals, helping her team to a district championship. In addition to her excellence on the soccer field, Blackwell is an exceptional track athlete, and holds the 800-meter record for 3A region 2. She received the Academic Excellence award, was an early academic qualifier for the NCAA and was named to the All-County academic soccer team. Blackwell was a member of DECA, the Eagle Fan Club and a volunteer coach for middle school track, football and volleyball athletes. She also played for the West Pasco club soccer team. The daughter of Reuel and Lauren Blackwell, Erin has one brother, Ryan, and will major in Physical Therapy.
"Erin is another player that we had a chance to work with in our camp setting," Harrison said. "I was sold on Erin immediately after I gave her some playing advice and saw how quickly she tried to implement it into her play. Erin is going to try something we haven't seen in the past by both playing soccer and running track. Her middle distance specialty does crossover well with soccer. I look forward to seeing how much info I can throw at Erin with such positive results over the next four years."
Madison Slavens, a 5'2 defender from Royse City High School in Texas, joins her high school teammate, Daniels, as a member of the Nicholls squad. As a member of the Bulldogs, Slavens was named Newcomer of the Year in 2013, Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and was a member of the Texas Spirit club soccer team. In addition to her success on the field, Slavens was a member of the A-B Honor Roll, and served as a student athletic trainer. Daughter of Tony and Mistie Chavarri, Madison has five siblings, Jordan, Giovanni, Dimitri, Dante and Gianna. She will major in Physical Therapy.
"I feel Madison may have come in under the radar due to a knee injury her junior year," Harrison said. "Madison is a soccer player first, who also happens to be very athletic. Our challenge is going to be where to play Madison to get the most out of her abilities. She has a huge upside that we can't help but think will come to fruition thanks to her desire to prove herself."
Elizabeth Newell, a 5'7'' center back from Aiken, S.C. will join Nicholls after finishing her high school career at South Aiken High School. Newell was a scholar athlete and named Defensive MVP in both 2013 and 2014 as a member of the Thoroughbreds. She also played for the South Carolina United FC club soccer team. Off the field, Newell was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participated in YoungLife. Elizabeth is the daughter of Ragan Newell, Sr. and has one sibling, Ragan Newell, Jr. She will major in Biology with a career ambition of becoming a veterinarian.
"Liz comes to use from South Carolina, which in all honesty we don't recruit out of," Harrison said. "Luckily she came to camp last summer. At camp I thought Liz was a very talented player, but wasn't sure if Nicholls was the right place for her. After the normally 'awkward' recruiting phone call, I knew South Louisiana was exactly the right place for Liz. Following 45 minutes of talking about fishing and duck hunting, I think I finally told Liz I had to eat dinner. I may have promised Liz that we could find her someone to talk her out in the blind as a final selling point for Nicholls. Liz may not be from Louisiana but she is getting here as fast as she can!"
Lindsay Gardner, a 5'7'' forward from Rockwall Heath High School in Texas, will join the Colonels for the upcoming season and play alongside high school teammates, Daniels and Slavens. Gardner was a member of the 2015 Hawk squad, playing in district 12-5A under Coach Marco Duran. Daughter of John and Susan Gardner, Lindsay will major in Biology with a career ambition of becoming a Physical Therapist.
"Lindsay is another player that we are excited about, especially due to the fact she is very comfortable anywhere on the left side of the field," Harrison said. "Having spent some time with Lindsay, we realize she may be a little quiet, but she lets her play do her talking for her. She comes in knowing our program and a few teammates so it would no surprise me if she hits the ground running. Lindsay's ability as an attacking player on the lift side will give her a chance to make an impact early. We look forward to her taking advantage of that opportunity."
