Appalachian State University women’s soccer head coach Sarah Strickland announced the signing of eight student-athletes for the 2015 season.

“I’m so excited to welcome these ladies to Appalachian State women’s soccer,” said Strickland. “They are an incredible group and will bring another dimension to our team. I am ready for August to be here!”

Alexa Asher • 5-5 • Defense • Millbrook High School
High School: A defender from Raleigh, N.C., Asher has been a three-time all-conference player and has served as her team’s captain. Asher scored the game-winners to win the conference championship for sophomore and junior seasons. She led the defense in goals scored and assists three years in a row.

Currently a member of CASL ECNLU 18. Asher participated in the 2009 and 2010 U13 Disney Jr. Soccer Showcase, was a 2010 U13 N.C. state finalist, 2011 USYSA Region III quarter finalist, 2011 U14 N.C. State Cup champion and earned a 2012 second-place ECNL Southeast Conference finish.

Emmily Cowie • 5-10 • Midfield/Forward • William Amos Hough High School
High School: A midfield/forward from Cornelius, N.C., Cowie was an all-conference and all-region selection as a junior. Cowie has been a two-time 2012 4A State Champion, while finishing runner-up as a sophomore. She earned Most Outstanding Player as a freshman and won the Husky Award as a junior. As a member of the Carolina Rapids, Cowie was a two-time State Champion in 2013 and 2014.

Jessica Easley • 5-7 • Forward • Marvin Ridge High School
High School: A forward from Waxhaw, N.C., Easley was an SCC all-conference and all-region player her junior season. Easley was named team MVP in 2014 en route to scoring 16 goals and tallying 10 assists. A member of Charlotte Soccer Academy, Easley was the goals and assists leader from 2012-14.

Kathryn Greer • 5-8 • Forward • Brookland Cayce High School
High School: A forward from Cayce, S.C., Greer has been a three-time all-region, two-time all-area and two-time all-state player. Greer has also earned state newspaper all-area 3A/2A Player of the Year as a sophomore. She was the captain of her high school team, honorable mention at ODP Region 3 camp and NSCAA high school soccer Atlantic Region honors.

From freshman through junior year has contributed 90 goals. Greer is a member of South Carolina United FC 96 Premier and was a runner-up for the South Carolina state championship.

Sarah Murphy • 5-9 • Defense • Mount Tabor High School
High School: A defender from Winston-Salem, N.C., Murphy has been a two-time all-conference and all-region player, as well as, an all-state nominee. Murphy earned the top Defensive Player award as a junior, while also claiming the Iron Spartan award. Member of N.C. Fusion ECNL U18.

Jamie Palermo • 5-5 • Defense/Midfield • Northwood High School
High School: A defender/midfielder from Pittsboro, N.C., Palermo has been a three-time all-conference and all-region player. She has earned team MVP and the Coach’s award. As a member of Triangle United 96 Gold, Palermo was a team captain.

Taylor Ray • 5-7 • Goalkeeper • Porter Ridge High School
High School: A goalkeeper from Indian Trail, N.C., Ray has been a Southwestern AAAA all-conference honoree, as well as, an all-region recipient. She is a four-year letterwinner and has been a team captain in 2014-15. Ray holds the school record for GAA (0.65), most shutouts in a season (17), most shutouts in a career leading up to junior season (32).

As a member of Charlotte Soccer Academy 96 ECNL, Ray was a 2010 state cup champion, 2011 Region 3 championship qualifier and has been named N.C. ODP first-team.

Leah Smith • 5-6 • Defense/Midfield • South Stokes High School
High School: A defender/midfielder from Walnut Core, N.C., Smith has been a three-time all-conference honoree, two-time all-region and was all-state as a junior.

Earned team MVP as a freshman, sophomore and junior, while scoring 81 goals and tallying 64 assists. Member of N.C. Fusion ECNL and has been a captain all four seasons. Smith was invited to PDP even in Richmond (ECNL) and was a Top Drawer Top 25.

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