USC Upstate women’s soccer head coach Abby Minihan announced Tuesday the signing of six student-athletes to national letters of intent to join the Spartans in the fall of 2015.

Signing to become Spartans next season were Lauren Cox, Autumn Gore, Kelly Lippert, Donye’ Monroe, Missy Pumphrey and Kate Winegarner. Each is expected to have an immediate impact on the program upon their arrival.

Lauren Cox:

A 5-foot-7 goalkeeper from Bradenton, Fla., Cox was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year at Manatee High School in 2011 before transferring to IMG Academy for her final three years of eligibility. She played in instrumental role as a senior in helping IMG Academy to the U19 state cup championship in 2014.

“Lauren is a dynamic goalkeeper that is hungry to learn and is extremely coachable,” Minihan said. “She has a great training mentality, great hands and presence in the goal.”

Autumn Gore:

Gore arrives in Spartanburg via Lakeland Fla., by way of Lakeland Senior High School where she scored 140 goals and registered 132 assists in three seasons with the Dreadnaughts. A three-year team captain, Gore was first team all-county and her team’s MVP as a sophomore in 2013. She would go on to capture second team all-county awards as both a junior in 2014 and senior in 2015. Gore also played for the Lakeland Lazers, Lakeland Futbol Club and the Houston Dynamo-Tampa and was a part of 12 championships and five runners-up during her club team career.

“Autumn is a quick midfielder that is very skillful on the ball,” Minihan said. “She is an attacking-minded player that I expect to be an impact player for us for years to come.”

Kelly Lippert:

A three-year letterwinner at Westhill High School in Syracuse, N.Y., Lippert was on the backline for 44 shutouts during her time with the Warriors. Lippert was tabbed All-Central New York, first team all-league and first team all-state and helped the Warriors capture sectional and regional championships.

“Kelly has great size and is an aggressive player that we see as a member of the back line,” Minihan said. “She has a lot of ability now, but also has untapped potential. The possibilities for her are very exciting.”

Donye’ Monroe:

Monroe was a three-year letterwinner at Villa Rica High School in Villa Rica, Ga., and scored 58 goals during her career with the Lady Warriors, which included 31 during her sophomore season. Monroe was a three-time all-region selection and was named the Villa Rica High School Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman and sophomore. She also played for the Southern Soccer Academy and West Georgia United U12-U18, helping Southern Soccer Academy win back-to-back State Cup Championships in 2012 and 2013 while scoring the game-winning goal in both matches.

“Donye’ is a powerful forward with a knack for scoring and is going to be a dangerous player for us,” Minihan said. I expect her to become a really solid and consistent player inside the Atlantic Sun.”

Missy Pumphrey:

A local player from Greer, S.C., and Riverside High School, Pumphrey was a two-year letterwinner and helped the Warriors to a Viking Cup and regional championship. Pumphrey was also a member of the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy that won the State Cup Championship in 2012 and the Elite Clubs National League Champions League in 2014.

“Missy is a forward with some versatility to play in the back,” Minihan said. “She is great on the flank and can serve some dangerous balls into the box.”

Kate Winegarner:

Winegarner is a four-year letterwinner at Apalachee High School in Bethlehem, Ga., where she served as team captain as both a junior and senior. Winegarner led the Wildcats in assists each of her first three seasons and finished either first or second on the team in goals during that span. She is on pace to break AHS career scoring record this season. A three-time all-regional team selection, Winegarner is also a member of the Elite Clubs National League Atlanta Fire, helping the Fire to one ECNL National Championship and two other appearances in the finals.

“Kate has got some versatility to her game and can play a number of different positions,” Minihan said. “We see her playing center midfield, but she can also play in the back because of her confidence, skill, vision, pace and size. She is going to be a very solid and consistent player no matter where she is on the field.”