GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum University head women's soccer coach Mike Joy has announced the signing of four student-athletes to attend Tusculum and play soccer starting in the fall of 2021.
Signing national letters of intent to play for the Pioneers are midfielder Kate Benne (San Antonio, Texas), center back Myah Giordullo (Cincinnati, Ohio), goalkeeper Brooklynn Hudgins (Perkasie, Pa.) and center back Laila Pitt (Kernersville, N.C.).
"I am very excited about our class of 2021-22 signees. We placed an emphasis on recruiting and rebuilding our defense as our current players approach graduation," said Joy, who is the all-time South Atlantic Conference leader in wins with 276 as he begins his 24th season with the Pioneers and 29th as a collegiate head coach. "This is a talented group to add to a strong returning class, and we look forward to adding additional recruits in the upcoming weeks."
Benne attends Reagan High School where she was named first-team All-Region and second-team All-District in 2020, and honorable mention All-District in 2019. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and was an Academic All-District honoree in 2019-20. Benne is a member of Classics Elite 03 ECNL and plans to major in English/communications.
Giordullo joins a long list of Pioneer recruits from southwestern Ohio during Joy's tenure at Tusculum. She attends Mariemont High School and was an All-American selection during the 2019 season. Giordullo was the Cincinnati Hills League Player of the Year in 2020 and has been an All-State, All-Region and All-SW Ohio honoree during her career. Giordullo was a two-year captain at Mariemont and played club soccer with Cincinnati United Premiere, and plans to major in exercise science.
Hudgins attends Pennridge High School and has extensive club experience, including the inaugural season of the Philadelphia Lone Star entry in the WPSL. She has also traveled to Ireland with the Montco Select U.S. team and played goal for the Olympic Development Program, and is currently a member of FC Delco ECNL. Hudgins, who plans to major in biology, is vice-president of the National Honor Society at Pennridge and is a member of the Student Council.
Pitt attends Glenn High School in Kernersville, where she was an All-Region choice in 2019 and honorable mention All-Region in 2018. Pitt plays club soccer for Piedmont Triad FC and is a member of both the National Honor Society and the honor roll. She is planning on studying nursing at Tusculum.
After having the fall season canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an abbreviated eight-game slate has been developed for the Pioneers for the 2021 spring season. Tusculum is scheduled to begin its season on Thursday, Feb. 18 at Catawba.
