Following a 12-win season and reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament in its first year as a member of the American Athletic Conference, East Carolina head coach Rob Donnenwirth announced the team’s 2015 signing class on Friday.

For the second year in a row, the Pirates will welcome nine newcomers beginning with the Fall 2015 semester: Brooke Carty, Courtney Cash, Zoe Crabtree, Ashley Jacobs, Caroline Jeffers, Megan Jones, Ashley Kendrot, Lindsey Tornabene and Madeleine Watson.

“This is a diverse class, as every position has been addressed,” Donnenwirth said. “We have strong group coming back and this class will compete right away.”

Brooke Carty, Forward, 5-7, Fr., Long Valley, N.J. (West Morris Central/PDA Shock)

High School: Ranked as a three-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … A four-year starter under head coach Ken Rossi at West Morris Central High School … Finished her career second on her school’s all-time goals list … Was a team captain as a senior in 2014 and led the team in goals scored during her sophomore and junior seasons … Helped her squad to three-straight sectional championship appearances, including titles in 2011 and 2013 … Member of the Morris County Tournament championship team in 2013 … Earned Star Ledger First-Team All-County, Daily Record First-Team All-Country, First-Team NJAC All-Conference and First-Team All-Morris County by coaches as a junior in 2013 ... Also picked as a First-Team All-State Group 3 choice by Star Ledger and an MSG Varsity All-State Honorable Mention … Named both Star Ledger and Daily Record Third-Team All-County as a sophomore in 2012.

Club Experience: Played for the PDA Shock under Josh Osit … The team was a finalist at the 2014 and 2012 Jefferson Cup, the 2012 Disney Showcase and the 2012 U.S. Club Region I Championships.

Carty on choosing East Carolina: “The smile on my face after visiting ECU and Coach D was seemingly a permanent fixture. The campus was amazing and the academic support offered to Pirates is second to none. However, the clincher for me was Coach D taking us out to the soccer stadium, as I looked in awe I turned to my parents and said, ‘This is my new home.’ I am truly honored to call myself an ECU Pirate!”

Donnenwirth on Carty: “Brooke is the type of forward that defenders hate to play against. At the end of a game, the defender will look like they went through a battle. She has good speed, an aggressive mentality and has scored goals at every level.”

Club Coach Josh Osit on Carty: "Aside from being a goal-scorer who can strike at any moment, Brooke is one of the most competitive and hard-working players I've been around. I'm excited to see her future success at the Division I level."

Courtney Cash, Midfield/Forward, 5-5, Fr., Cary, N.C. (Panther Creek/TFCA)

High School: Lettered three years at Panther Creek High School under head coach David Grant … Helped her team to state championships in 2011, 2012 and 2014 … Chosen as the team’s most valuable player as a senior in 2014 … Earned a plethora of academic awards off the field including to the Southwest Wake Athletic Conference All-Academic team following her senior season …A scholar-athlete selection as a junior in 2013 … Received Soccer Tri-Nine 4A Academic All-Conference honors in 2012 … Named a Tri-Nine 4A All-Conference Honorable mention in 2012 … Also competed on the cross country team for three seasons and was a Southwest Wake Athletic Conference All-Academic choice in 2014, as well as a Tri-Nine 4A Academic All-Conference selection.

Club Experience: Played under Tom Misuraca for Triangle Futbol Club Alliance … Also named North Carolina ODP First-Team in 2011 where the team went on to win the USL Super Y Championship … Chosen to the SYL ODP Select B team in 2012.

Cash on choosing East Carolina: “I wanted to train and compete on ECU’s soccer team. Also, ECU has an excellent pre-med program that I would like to be a part of.”

Donnenwirth on Cash: “Courtney can play in central or wide attacking roles. She creates and scores goals with her creativity and one-on-one ability. She is an absolute soccer junkie and Pirate fans will enjoy watching her play.”

Club Coach Tom Misuraca on Cash: “Courtney is a strong, dynamic, and intelligent soccer player who excels both athletically and academically. It's been an honor to coach her the past four years. I have no doubt Courtney will be successful in all endeavors.”

Zoe Crabtree, Forward, 5-4, Fr., Durham, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons/CASL ECNL Railhawks)

High School: Lettered and started four years under head coach Michelle Miller at Cardinal Gibbons High School ... A team captain during her senior season … Was a member of the 3A state championship team in 2013 … Was among the team’s top goal-scorers, as the team reached the stat semifinals in 2014 … Received 3A all-conference recognition as a junior … Was a member of the Lancer Club all four years and achieved A-B Honor Roll several different semesters.

Club Experience: Played for the CASL ECNL Railhawks under head coach Sean Nahas … Received the Hamilton Sportsmanship Award three-straight years from 2012-14 … Helped the team reach ECNL Nationals during 2012 … Attended the ODP ’97 Region III Camp in Montevallo, Ala.

Crabtree on Choosing East Carolina: "I chose ECU because the atmosphere is amazing and everyone from the coaches to the girls are so friendly. It really felt like home the second I walked on campus. I have always been a fan of the Pirates because a lot of my family are alumni, so having the opportunity to play Division I soccer and get a great education at my favorite school is very exciting.”

Donnenwirth on Crabtree: “Zoe is effective as a wide player due to her work-rate and aggressiveness. She is a blue-collar player with a great attitude toward the game. “

Club Coach Sean Nahas on Crabtree: “Zoe has had a great career for us here at CASL. She is a hard-working player who over the years has grown both technically and tactically, which has allowed her to have a big impact on our ECNL team. She brings a great energy daily to training and games and, for us, has played a major role both as a forward and midfielder. Her growth here at the club level has been tremendous and we look forward to seeing that continued growth over the next four years at ECU.”

Ashley Jacobs, Midfield, 5-6, Fr., Spotsylvania, Va. (Massaponax/FC Virginia ECNL ’96)

High School: Lettered four years under head coach Tim Fetner as the starting center midfielder … Earned all-conference honorable mention honors as a junior, scoring two goals and eight assists … Scored two goals and added four assists, and received all-area academic honors as a sophomore and freshman … Scored on a penalty kick in a district playoff game and added five assists during her freshman campaign … A member of the National Junior Honor Society … Had perfect attendance for nine-straight years and missed one day for a CASL Showcase event … Member of the Spanish club, psychology club, DECA and FBLA.

Club Experience: Played for FC Virginia ECNL ’96 under head coach Terry Foley … Played for five years on the Virginia state ODP team … Played for the Fredericksburg FC WPSL team during the summer of 2014 … Chosen to the 2012 International Virginia State ODP France Team … Invited to the Region I camp on two different occasions … Team reached the 2012 State Cup quarterfinals and was a team captain while playing with FASA Elite ’95 under coach Joe Herndon … A member of the 2010 State Cup team that reached the finals

Jacobs on Choosing East Carolina: “After attending the ID camp, I knew I wanted to be a Pirate. Coach D and his staff were very welcoming, friendly and spent hours with my family showing us all that ECU had to offer. The he took to show us the beautiful campus and the amazing sports facilities, and then to tell me about his former players and where they are today, showed me that he truly cares about the success of his players both on the field and off, both during college and after. The school spirit and atmosphere at ECU is unbelievable and definitely something I can’t wait to be a part of.”

Donnenwirth on Jacobs: “We first identified Ashley at our ID Clinic. As a holding midfielder, she works hard off the ball, always giving options. With the ball she keeps possession, switches the point of attack and has the ability to play killer passes.”

Club Coach Terry Foley on Jacobs: “Ashley will bring a good personality to the Pirates. Ashley is a good leader who brings a lot of confidence with her game. She has a determined character who loves to compete.”

Caroline Jeffers, Goalkeeper, 5-9, Fr., Windermere, Fla. (Olympia/Florida Kraze Krush)

High School: Four-year starter under head coach Scott Baker at Olympia high school as both a forward and goalkeeper … Was the team’s leading goal-scorer as a freshman (12) and sophomore (16) … Helped the team to 40 wins and four-straight district playoff appearances during her career … A member of the National Honor Society during her junior and senior years … Named to the Principal’s Honor Roll each semester during all four years.

Club Experience: Played for the Florida Kraze Krush for two years under head coach Hue Menzies … Led the team to a Region III Premier League Championship with a perfect 9-0-0 record during 2014-15 … Posted two shutouts and helped the team to a 3-1 record during U.S. National League Play at the CASL Tournament, which included a 1-0 shutout over reigning U.S. national champion DCMV Sharks … Net-minder for the team’s Region III and Florida State Cup Championships in 2013-14 … The team was also CASL, Disney Showcase, Florida Cup and Columbus Day Tournament Champions that year … Was the starting goalkeeper for the Orlando City Youth Soccer U-16 ECNL team, leading the squad to the Southeast Division Championship as a first-year league member in 2012-13 … Was the starting keeper for the Florida Soccer Alliance (FSA) U-15 State Cup … Team won the Greensboro Score at the Shore and Disney President’s Cup Championships in 2011-12.

Jeffers on Choosing East Carolina: “I chose ECU because it has everything I was looking for in a school. It has great academics with the field of study I want to pursue. East Carolina has a successful soccer program with a long-time head coach who I really like and I connected with the current players. It also has excellent facilities and in a competitive conference that will allow my family to see a lot of my games.”

Donnenwirth on Jeffers: “Caroline is an outstanding goalkeeper. She has good technical ability and her distribution skills are excellent. We look for goalkeepers with a strong mentality and she has proven that she is a winner.”

Club Coach Hue Menzies on Jeffers: “Caroline will be a tremendous addition to the Pirates’ program on and off the field. She brings great versatility to the goalkeeper position. She is an extension of the back line both defensively and offensively. Her work ethic and commitment extends beyond the 18-yard box. Her passion to serve the community will be appreciated in the Greenville area.”

Megan Jones, Defender, 5-4, Fr., Greenville, N.C. (D.H. Conley/OCSA Coastal Crew)

High School: Played four years at D.H. Conley High School under head coach Shannon McLaughlin as a native to Greenville … Named all-conference and all-region during all four years … named the team’s rookie-of-the-year as a freshman and defensive player-of-the-year as a junior … An A-B Honor Roll student in the classroom.

Club Experience: A member of the Disney Showcase and CASL Showcase championship teams, respectively, in 2014 playing under head coach Carlos Padilla of the OCSA Coastal Crew … The team also reached the North Carolina State Cup finals … Played for PGSA under coach Darren Dawson in 2013 where the team went in the Division A Classic league … Member of the WYSA Wilson Explosion Cup championship team under coach Richard Frazier and was named MVP of the tournament in 2010.

Jones on Choosing East Carolina: “Growing up in Greenville, I’ve always been a Pirate at heat. Throughout my soccer journey, I knew I wanted to pursue it at the highest level. Being given the opportunity to not only play Division I, but also at the school I love, is by far one of the greatest blessings. I look forward to spending the next four years playing for the purple and gold.”

Donnenwirth on Jones: “Megan can play as a center back or outside back. She has good speed and defensive instincts. She is a good distributor and can accurately strike a ball over 60 yards.”

Club Coach Carlos Padilla on Jones: “I have had the distinct opportunity to watch M.J. play as a spectator, opposing coach and as one of my players. I only loved the time she played for me! She is a dynamic player with much to offer ANY soccer program! I love M.J. and the Jones' family.”

Ashley Kendrot, Midfield, 5-2, Fr., Raleigh, N.C. (Leesville Road/CASL ECNL)

High School: Lettered four years as a starting midfielder under head coach Paul Dinkenor at Leesville Road High School … The team finished second place in the conference and reached the finals in the CAP-8 tournament in 2013 … The squad reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament from 2012-14 and won the CAP-8 regular season and conference tournament championships in 2012 … Named academic all-conference all four years and was a member of the honor roll each semester … Received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2011-12.

Club Experience: Played for CASL ECNL under head coach Sean Nahas and was a team captain from 2011-14 … The team won the Southern Soccer Showcase championship in 2013 and reached the semifinals of the Jefferson Cup and Disney Soccer Showcase tournaments that season … Attended the Adidas/Chelsea International Training Program in London in 2012 … Helped the team to the 2011 NC USYS State Cup semifinals and the Region III tournament quarterfinals in 2011 … Team won the 2011 NC State Cup and Disney Junior Soccer Showcase Championships in the same year.

Kendrot on Choosing East Carolina: “I chose to attend ECU because of the excellent athletic and academic programs that are offered. After my amazing official visit with my future teammates and coaches, I knew this was the college I wanted to attend for the next four years. ECU is a perfect school for me to improve my skills on and off the field. I am so honored and excited to become a part of Pirate Nation!”

Donnenwirth on Kendrot: “Ashley is very skillful with a great soccer IQ. Her vision and creativity make her an attacking presence. Her playmaking skills help create chances and she can score goals as well.”

Club Coach Sean Nahas on Kendrot: “Ashley is an exciting player with great technical proficiency. Her ability to read the game and solve problems is at a high level and one that ECU is lucky to have. A very unselfish player, she helped control our midfield and allowed our teams to control many of their matches. She had a great career here at CASL, and we look forward to following her during her collegiate career.”

Lindsey Tornabene, Defender, 5-7, Fr., Denver, Colo. (J.K. Mullen/Colorado Rush)

High School: Lettered four years at J.K. Mullen High School … A member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and National History Societies … Received a National Merit Scholarship.

Club Experience: Played for the Colorado Rush under head coach Erik Bushey … Named to the W-League reserves in 2012 and 2014 … Member of the 2012 ECNL national championship team … Defender on the Colorado State Cup team that reached the championship in 2011 … Also played for the Colorado ODP team from 2008-11 … Played on the Colorado Fusion Boys Premier I team from 2005-11.

Tornabene on Choosing East Carolina: “I chose ECU because I had great experiences on both of my visits to the school and I was very impressed by the engineering program. The sense of unity on the team really stood out and Coach Donnenwirth and the girls made me feel welcome. The school spirit is incredible and I can’t wait to be surround by and a part of such a unique atmosphere.”

Donnenwirth on Tornabene: “We feel Lindsey is one of the best center backs we evaluated in the 2015 class. She reads the game extremely well and she is a fantastic distributor of the ball. She is a tough competitor and shows good leadership in the back.”

Club Coach Erik Bushey on Tornabene: "Lindsey is one of the best true defenders in the country and even more impressive, she is a big-game player who rises to the occasion. The bigger the stage, the brighter the performance. I believe she will have a great college career."

Madeleine Watson, Defender/Forward, 5-5, Fr., Reston, Va. (Paul VI Catholic/VSA Heat Blue ’96)

High School: Lettered and started all four years under head coach Meg Ashley at Paul VI Catholic High School … A team captain in 2014 … Named WCAC All-Conference Second Team in 2013 and 2014 and an honorable mention in 2012 … Led the team in points all four years … Received the team’s Best Offensive Player and Scholar Athlete awards four times each ... Excelled in the classroom and received an honors award for outstanding achievement in Honors French IV and V in 2013 and 2014 … Was also a member of the French Honor Society both years … Was a recipient of the Paul VI Legacy Scholarship in 2011.

Club Experience: Captained the VSA Heat Blue team from 2013-15 under head coach Steve Smith … Team reached the 2014 USYSA National Championship game and won the 2014 USYSA Region I Regional Championship … Member of the 2014 and 2015 Disney Showcase Championship squads … Played for the 2013 Virginia State Cup championship club … Squad also won the Greensboro Adidas Labor Day Shootout in 2013 and 2014 … Played for the HYS Herndon Freedom under coach Gus Donolo from 2011-13 and was a team captain … Helped the team to the 2012 Virginia State Cup, Region I Premier League and FC Delco Players Cup championships … Has a thorough Virginia ODP Region I team background since 2011 … Team will compete in Croatia in March 2015 and also played in Italy in 2013 … Club reached the Region I Tournament semifinals in 2013 and championship in 2014.

Watson on Choosing East Carolina: “Before going on my unofficial visit, I had heard many great things about ECU Soccer and the school itself. As soon as I went on my unofficial visit I was very impressed with the facilities, competitive atmosphere, school spirit and how close the girls on the team were. Coming from a smaller high school, I loved that even though ECU is a larger school, the campus was centralized and did not seem so overwhelming. I just knew I wanted to be a Pirate!”

Donnenwirth on Watson: “Maddie is a tough defender that is versatile to play even in attacking roles. She is outstanding in the air and is dangerous on set-pieces. She is a good leader that has great competitive spirit.”

Club Coach Steve Smith on Watson: “Maddie Watson is a technically gifted and, tactically, a very solid defender while being able to play a variety of roles on the back line. Her determination and dedication make her an elite player. As a coach, you wish you had 10 more Maddie's out on the field.”