THIBODAUX, La. – Head Coach Dylan Harrison and the Nicholls State University women's soccer team announced the signing of five student-athletes for the upcoming 2016 season.
 
The class is made up of Jade Gallaher (Slidell, La.), Blaire Laiche (Gonzales, La.), Jessica Shelby (Baton Rouge, La.), Kristy Helmers (Greenway, Australia) and Roosa Hurmerinta (Turku, Finland).
 
2016 Signees:
 
Jade Gallaher, a 5'4'' goalie from Slidell, La., comes to Nicholls from Northshore H.S. Gallaher was named First-Team All District, her team's Most Valuable Player and the District VI MVP during the 2014-15 season. She earned Second-Team All District honors and was named the Panther's Co-MVP in 2013-14. Gallaher was recognized as a First-Team All State freshman and named Second-Team All District in 2012-13. In addition to playing for Northshore, Gallaher was a member of the Slidell Lightning U-18 club soccer team. Daughter of John Gallaher and April Monroe, Jade has four siblings, Grace Gallaher, Emma Gallaher, Holli Gallaher and Quinn Vaughn.
 
"Jade is a very talented goalkeeper from Louisiana and we are looking forward to her joining our team next season," Goalkeeper Coach Danny Free said. "She is a very confident goalkeeper and has the technical ability and decision-making skills to do well at the next level. Jade is a smart, hard-working player, who we know will have a positive impact on our program."
 
Blaire Laiche, a 5'8'' utility player from Gonzales, La., will join the Colonels for the upcoming season. Laiche was a member of the District Championship team in 2015-16. She earned All-District, All-Metro and All-State honors in 2014-13. Laiche was named All-District and All-Metro in 2013-14. She also earned All-State freshman honors in 2012-13. Laiche was a member of the Beta Club, Allied Health Club and National Honor Society, and maintains a 4.75 GPA. She is also a member of the Baton Rouge Black club soccer team. Daughter of Cole Laiche and Connie Guilbeau, Blaire has two siblings, Ally Laiche and Lane Guilbeau.
 
"After having the chance to spend some time with Blaire outside of a training session, I realized immediately what a special person she was," said. "As a program we firmly believe that better people make better Nicholls soccer student-athletes, and that's exactly what we got with Blaire. She is a versatile player that is willing to do what is best for the team. Her flexibility will give her a chance to compete for a position right away."
 
Jessica Shelby, a 5'6'' forward from Baton Rouge, La., comes to Nicholls from University Laboratory School. Shelby won the UHS Golden Boot Award, was the team's Offensive MVP, District MVP, First-Team All-District, First-Team All Metro and First-Team All State as a member of the 2014-15 District Champion and State Champion Cubs squad. She earned the UHS Golden Boot Award, was the team's offensive MVP, District MVP, First-Team All District, First-Team All Metro and Second-Team All State on the 2013-14 District Champion team. Shelby began her high school career at Runnels, where she was a First-Team All District player. Shelby was also a member of the National Honor Society and played for the Baton Rouge Soccer Club '98 Girls Black team. Daughter of David and Lea Shelby, Jessica has one brother, Jack.
 
"Jessica comes to us with Colonel pride running through her family," Harrison said. "We were so excited when Jess finally realized she didn't want to be at anywhere else but Thibodaux. Jess will be asked to do what she does best. She can hold balls up to get other players involved or just create for herself. Her technical ability allows her to play in tight spaces. There is no doubt her willingness to get better will drive her to success within our program. We are proud to call her a Colonel."
 
Kristy Helmers, a 5'6'' forward from Greenway, Australia will join the Colonels for the upcoming season. Helmers was named her team's MVP in both 2013 and 2014. She was also a shadow player for the under 19s Australian school girls team in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, Helmers won the All Rounder award and had the highest academic scores on her team in 2014. She was a member of the Tuggeranong United club soccer squad. Daughter of Craig and Linda Helmers, Kristy has one sister, Kayla.
 
"We are excited to have another Aussie join our program," Harrison said. "In the time we have spent with Kristy so far this semester we can already tell she is a smart, mature and dedicated student-athlete. Kristy is a true number nine and we will look for her to play that role all spring. The extra time she will spend in the classroom, weight room and on the field this spring will allow her to be ready to compete immediately in the fall."
 
Roosa Amanda Johanna Hurmerinta, a 5'5'' goalkeeper from Turku, Finland, comes to Nicholls after spending time with the TPS club soccer team. Hurmerinta plans to major in Athletic Training. Daughter of Sari & Torsti Hurmerinta, Roosa has one brother, Rasmus."Roosa is another talented goalkeeper joining us in the fall," Free said. "She is from Finland and has been to several youth national team camps. Roosa played two games with the Finnish U16 and U17 national teams. She has good knowledge of the game and is strong, explosive and fast. We are excited for Roosa to join our program and to have another international student-athlete coming to Thibodaux."