CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte head coach Katie Talbert is pleased to announce the addition of 14 new student-athletes to her program this coming fall.
 
"I am incredibly excited to recognize the new Royals and officially welcome them to our Queens Women's Soccer family,” said Coach Talbert. “As we prepare to enter the new conference, we strengthen our program with the addition of such talented and dedicated student-athletes. The roster has grown with over a half dozen players from North Carolina which exemplifies how competitive we are within our own state for top players. We also have players from some of the most prestigious clubs on the east coast who will without a doubt make immediate impacts in the South Atlantic Conference. Erik, Tammy, and I are very proud of this class and look forward to their four-year careers at Queens. We are also thankful for the hard work and support that the parents, current players, and high school and club coaches provided in guiding these amazing athletes to Queens."
 
Lydia Drakeford from Huntersville, N.C., joins the Royals from William A. Hough High School where she is a forward. In 2011, Drakeford was a member on the Regional Conference Championship team. She also plays for the '94 Lake Norman Eclipse Club Team. In addition, she was a member of the YMCA Youth Leader's Club, FCCLA, Senior Advisory, and the Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
 
Brenna Kate Grass of Swansboro, N.C., hails from Swansboro High School where she is an outside midfielder and a forward. The four-year varsityplayer helped her team win the State Championship in 2010. During her junior season, she garnered all-conference, all-region, and all-state team honors. Grass plays club for the Swansboro Lady Pirates.
 
Off the field, Grass is a member of the National Honor Society, a Class Marshall, and a scholar-athlete.
 
Christina Horton of Apex, N.C., joins the Royals from Apex High School where she plays multiple positions. In the summer of 2009, the newcomer participated in the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden, where she scored the game-winner in the championship match. In addition, Horton has been a varsity player all four years in high school and plays club for the TFC '94 Navy Club Team where she ranks was a division top-5 goal scorers in 2011-2012.
 
Horton's efforts transferred off the field as well. She is a member of the National Honor Society, vice-president of the National Technical Honors Society, and a member of HOSA.
 
Molly Jaben of Waynesville, N.C., is a tri-sport athlete from Carolina Day School. The team captain was named to the All-WNC Honorable Mention Team and helped her team finish as CAA Conference Runner-ups. When she is not playing, Jaben serves as an assistant coach for middle school soccer. She is also a member of the student government and is a student ambassador. She also was a part of the men's varsity team that won back to back conference championships.
 
Kelly Gottry hails from Wilmington, N.C., where she plays the center midfield and forward positions at EA Laney High School. She earned all-conference first team honors in 2011 and 2012 after being named to the honorable mention team in 2010. In 2012, she was also named to the all-region first team. Gottry also earned offensive MVP honors in 2011 and 2012.
 
Gottry is a member of the National Honors Society, FCA, HOSA, Social Marshall and the Spirit Club. She was named to the Academic Honor Roll four years, and earned the Scholar Athlete Award for three. 
 
Sydney Michelin of Boca Raton, Fla., comes to Queens having been named to the all-county team her junior and senior seasons at St. Andrews High School. She was the leading goal scorer her senior season. In addition to being a four year varsity starter, Sydney led her club team, Team Boca 94/95 White, to the Disney Qualifier Championship in 2012.
 
Off the pitch, Sydney was an active member in Habitat for Humanity.
 
Caitlin Molloy is a defender/ center midfielder coming from Greenville, N.C., where she attends DH Conley High School. The team captain has earned all-conference team honors, and plays club from the '94 Pitt-Greenville Soccer Association Stars with the Osiecki sisters.
 
Off the field, Molloy is a member of the National Honors Society and the National Honors Societies for English and Science. She is also a member of Link Crew and the Career and Technical Honor Society.
 
Erin Morabito is midfielder out of Irmo, S.C., where she attends Dutch Fork High School. The two-time captain was named to the South Carolina 4A Region 4 All-Region Team in 2012, and was a part of the South Carolinas State ODP Team from 2007-2011. She was also named Dutch Fork's Most Consistant Player from 2011-2012. Morabito plays club for the South Carolina United FC '94 Girls Elite. They were the 2012 State Cup Champions and from 2008-2011 the team finished as the State Cup Finalist.
 
Off the field, the newcomer is a member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club and Pep Club. She also won a Spanish Recognition Award in 2010.
 
Molly Moriarty joins the Royals from Bishop England High School in Charleston, S.C. The forward/midfielder has also been a part of the South Carolinas ODP State Team from 2006-2012. Her recognitions involve being named to the South Carolina High School 2A All-State, Post and Courier All-Low Country and 6AA All-Region teams. She has also been team captain for the past two seasons. Moriarty's plays club for the South Carolinas United Mount Pleasant '94 Elite. They were the 2011 and 2012 runner-up at the State Cup.
 
Ashley Osiecki hails from New Bern, N.C., where she is a student at New Bern High School. Osiecki is a three-year letter winner at the defender and midfielder position. In 2012, she was named New Bern's Most Outstanding Player, and she attended the 2012 North Carolina ODP State Pool Region III Camp. She has also been a member of the North Carolina ODP from 2007-2012. Her recognitions include being named to the 4A East All-Region Team in 2011, the 4A MEC All-Conference Soccer team in 2011 and 2012, and the Sun Journal All-Area team in 2011 and 2012. Osiecki earned the New Bern Iron Bear Award in 2011 as well. The New Bern team captain plays club for the '94 Pitt-Greenville Soccer Association Stars. In 2012, they were the NCYSA Regular Season Premier League champions after allowing zero goals during the regular season.
 
Osiecki excels off the field as well having been named to the National Honors Society. She also earned the New Bern Academic Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement from 2009-2012. From 2010-2012, she was a member of Interact Community Service Club, and a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church Youth Group in 2012.
 
Shelby Osiecki also joins the Royals from New Bern High School, and she is the twin sister of Ashley. The defender is a three-year letter winner who earned the New Bern Iron Bear Award in 2012. The team captain's recognitions include being named to NC State East Soccer Team in 2011, the 4A East All-Region Team in 2011, the 4A MEC All-Conference Team in 2011 and 2012, and the Sun Journal All-Area Team in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, she earned the New Bern Defensive Award, and from 2007-2012 she has been a part of the North Carolina Olympic Development Program. Osiecki plays club with the '94 Pitt-Greenville Soccer Association Stars along with her sister.
 
Oseicki's recognitions off the field include being a member of the National Honors Society. She also earned the New Bern Academic Excellence Award from Outstanding Achievement from 2009-2010. Oseicki is a member of Interact Community Service Club and the St. Paul Catholic Church Youth Group as well.
 
Caitlyn Rodrigues will come from Davidson Day School in Mooresville, N.C., to join the Royals. Rodrigues has experience at the attack and center midfield positions, and was named the most valuable player in her conference. She also earned most valuable player honors at her conference tournament. Rodrigues was named to the all-conference team and the all-state team and currently leads the state of North Carolina in assists. She plays club for the Lake Norman Soccer Club.
 
Rodrigues' accomplishments off the field include earning the Student of Character Award and being named to the Head Master's List. She is also in the Community Service Club and a Relay for Life Volunteer.
 
Julianna Tucker of Swansboro, N.C., is a midfielder/defender from Swansboro High School. While being a four year varsity player, Tucker garnered many awards, including being named to the 2011 and 2012 All-Conference and All-Region teams. She helped her team become 2A North Carolina Women's State Champion in 2010, and the Regional Runner-Up in 2011 and 2012. In 2011 and 2012, Tucker was Powerade State Game participant for the East squad. She plays club for the '93/'94 SSA Lady Pirates.
 
Outside of soccer, Tucker was named Student Council Class President her Junior and Senior years. She also was a Swansboro High School Marshal 2012-2013 after finishing in the top-10 in her class. Tucker's efforts in the classroom also earned her places in the National Honors Society and the National Technical Honor Society. In addition, she is a Huddle Captain and helped to start the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at her high school, and is a member of HOSA.
 
Hannah Younger of Boone, N.C., comes to Queens from Watauga High School where she played the defense, midfield,
forward positions. She earned all-conference honors in 2011 and 2012, and was a member of the all-region team and named Offensive Player of the Year in 2011. Younger plays club for CESA, a Southern Premier team.
 
In addition, Younger was a member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club, and Lamp of Knowledge.
 
Queens is returning nine starters, five who were all-conference team members, from the 2012 season.