GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum University head women's soccer coach Mike Joy has announced the commitment of eight student-athletes to play for the Pioneers beginning with the 2022 season.
The eight committed players are defender Ella Funderburk (Maryville, Tenn.), striker Skylar Georges (Morganton, N.C.), wing striker Sydney Grant (Schaumburg, Ill.), outside midfielder Lexus Singleton (Hudson, Fla.), midfielder Holland Tauscher (Pace, Fla.), outside back Allie Townsend (Maryville, Tenn.), center midfielder Emma Whitaker (Waynesville, Ohio) and center striker Taylor Youmans (Fayetteville, Ga.).
"We are very excited about this 2022 class. With this class, we sought to bring in a lot of attacking players, finishers, strong athletes, and players that can improve our overall team speed," said Joy, who recently concluded his 25th season as head coach of the Pioneers. "We also strengthen our midfield and back line adding much needed depth. Last year, we placed an emphasis on rebuilding our veteran defense, and we had four freshmen starters that stood out on that back line."
Funderburk attends Maryville High School, where she helped the Rebels to an 11-8-2 record this fall and three state tournament appearances during her career. She was an All-District and All-Region selection and served as a team captain. Funderburk played club soccer for FC Alliance of the ECNL and helped the team to the national tournament in 2021. She plans to major in nursing.
Georges will be entering her senior season at Freedom High School after earning All-Conference and All-Region honors a year ago. Georges was the leading scorer in the county, and played club soccer for the Catawba Valley Youth Soccer Association and in the North Carolina Olympic Development Program.
Grant begins her senior season at Saint Viator High School as "One to Watch" for soccer in the Chicago area. She is a four-year starter whose team won the conference championship in 2021 and finished 13-5-1 overall. Grant was the leading scorer for FCX South Barrington, and plans to major in psychology and criminal justice at Tusculum.
Singleton has started her senior year at River Ridge High School as a four-year starter and team captain. Singleton played her club soccer with Florida Premier, and is planning to major in sport management at Tusculum.
Tauscher is underway with her senior season at Pace High School, after scoring three goals and five assists for the Patriots during the 2019-20 season. A four-year starter and team captain for Pace, Tauscher played club soccer for the West Florida Soccer Club. She plans to major in education.
Townsend, a teammate of Funderburk at Maryville High School, was a recipient of the Coaches Award. A member of Knoxville Reds FC, Townsend played ODP for both the state and the South region teams. She plans to major in nursing/biology at Tusculum.
Whitaker has helped lead Waynesville High School to a 16-6 record and a berth in the Ohio Division III state championship game on Friday. She is a three-year starter and was named All-SWBL as a junior. Whitaker, who has surpassed 40 career goals and 100 career points, plays for club soccer for Ohio Elite.
Youmans will play her senior year at Fayette County High School in the spring, after breaking the 20-goal mark during her junior campaign to earn region Player of the Year honors. Youmans, who was MaxPreps state Player of the Week during the spring of 2021, plays club soccer for Tophat and was the team's leading scorer in the SCCL during 2021. She plans to major in pre-physical therapy at Tusculum.
"We are expecting to turn around the program quickly this year and believe that this 2022 class will be instrumental in getting us back competing at the top of the South Atlantic Conference," said Joy, who has 367 wins in 30 years as a head coach including 281 victories with the Pioneers. "This game is about scoring goals and keeping the ball out of the net. Hopefully we will be much improved in those areas in 2022."
