Five Added to Auburn Soccer Newcomer List

May 7, 2004

AUBURN -- Five players have been added to the newcomer list for 2004 as announced Friday by head soccer coach Karen Hoppa including transfers Christie Cigno from Saint Louis and Lacey Rush from San Diego. Also added are Lauren Brabson of Columbus, Evelyn Keith of Auburn, and Summer Ragsdale of Birmingham.

"With the addition of these five players to the four we previously signed, we feel our recruiting class is outstanding," Hoppa said. "These nine players, along with the returning nucleus of the 2003 team, should take the program to another level."

Brabson, a member of the Georgia state ODP 85 Team, was named the Region Player of the Year, as well as to the All-Region team for two seasons. The forward also played for coach David Chadwick with the AFC Lightning '85 White club and Rusty Oliver at Columbus High School. In addition to her accolades on the field, Brabson was listed as a Governor's Honors Program Semifinalist, an Alpha Scholar and a Star Student.

Cigno will come to Auburn as a junior from Saint Louis University where she earned NSCAA All-Region and All-Conference honors as a sophomore. In 2003, she was second on the team in goals with eight at the midfielder position, and added three assists on the year. During her freshman season, Cigno was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team and the St. Louis native, had the second-highest point total on the team with 22, including nine goals in just 16 games.

Keith recently led Auburn High School to its first-ever appearance in the State Final Four, coached by Carrie Hinds-Fellows. The 5-0 center midfielder has been named to the state team four times and was named the Auburn High team MVP twice. Keith is a member of the Birmingham Attack '86 Blue club team, coached by Shaun Edgar and Heather Frelin-Blom. Academically, Keith is a member of the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

Ragsdale, a center midfielder from Birmingham, has also led Spain Park High School to the Alabama State Final Four in her senior season. She is also a member of the Alabama state ODP team and has been a team captain for three seasons. In 2002, Ragsdale was named the Tournament MVP and has been to the state championships every year. Ragsdale is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta.

As a Germantown, Tenn., native and San Diego transfer, Rush comes to Auburn with a freshman standing after red-shirting at San Diego. The 5-11 defender played at Houston High School, helping lead them to a regional runner-up finish three consecutive seasons. Playing with the Fury '85 Premier club team, Rush led the team to the Tennessee state title. Rush and current Auburn player Ashley Eason played for rival teams in high school in Memphis.

The five players are in addition to four signees from the fall, which will all be a part of the 2004 Auburn team, are set to begin play in September.