FIT Women’s Soccer Recruits Savor Brevard Connection
By Space Coast Daily // April 14, 2013
6 Freshman From Area, 2 BCC Transfers
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Nine high school seniors and two junior college transfers highlight Florida Tech women’s soccer’s 2013 recruiting class have been announced by FIT head coach Fidgi Haig.
Six of the nine incoming freshmen are products of Brevard County, including Eva Banton (Melbourne), Isabella Campanini (Cocoa Beach), Ciera Misner (Malabar), Sky Morrison (Satellite Beach, Karlyn Prisco (Rockledge) and Joy Wilkinson (Viera).
Also joining the freshmen class are Kimberly Graue (Oviedo), Jordan Symonds (Windham, Maine) and Mary Watson (McKinney, Texas).
Capping the recruiting class are two junior college transfers from Brevard Community College, Courtney Hueston (Miami) and Julia Kantor (Fort Lauderdale).
“The 2013 class will bring a lot of depth to the team,” Haig said. “Six out of the 11 incoming players are local from Brevard County. Also, four of those players are on the local high school all-conference teams. We are very excited about next season.”
Heres some bio information about the 11 new Panthers:
• Eva Banton, Defense — Attended Viera High School and was a four-year starter for varsity soccer team and was named team captain junior and senior seasons. Played several years at PDA (N.J.) before finishing her club experience at Space Coast United and won a Florida State Championship in 2010 with Space Coast United. Daughter of Sean Banton and Caroline Rosen, has two siblings, Anthony and Fiona.
• Isabella Campanini, Midfield — Attended Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School in Cocoa Beach and played six years of soccer, including a five-year player on the varsity girls soccer team. She was named team captain junior and senior years and the team’s offensive most valuable player sophomore and junior seasons. Was named team’s all-around most valuable player senior year and a member of the National Society for High School Scholars, Student Government Association, Beta Club and Spanish Club, an IB Diploma candidate and AP Scholar. Played three years club soccer for Indialantic, three years for Melbourne Beach and two years for Space Coast United. She is the daughter of Bino and Trish Campanini. Her father Bino played soccer at Florida Tech from 1986 to 1989 and was an assistant coach from 1990 to 93 where he won two national championships — one as a player and one as an assistant coach. She chose Florida Tech for its forensic psychology program and the opportunity to be a second generation Florida Tech soccer player. her post-graduate goals are to work as a criminal profiler in the field of forensic psychology.
• Kimberly Graue, Midfield — Attended The Master’s Academy in Oviedo and was a two-sport athlete who competed in track and field and soccer. She won five varsity letters and led her soccer team to five consecutive district championships. She was team’s Unsung Hero award winner and the team’s defensive player of the year and a two-time team captain. Was named to all-district first team three-straight seasons and all-star team during senior season. She was is a member of National Honor Society, prom committee and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She played seven years for the Orlando Krush on the squad’s Under-11 Region Cup Champions in 2008, Under-13 State Cup Quarterfinalists in 2009, Under-14 State Cup Champions in 2010 and Under-18 Elite Clubs National League qualifiers in 2013. She is the daughter of Michael and Rosa Graue and has an older sister and a younger brother. She chose Florida Tech for the pre-medicine program and the soccer program and aspires to become a surgeon and eventually a mission doctor.
• Courtney Hueston, Midfield — Attended and played one season at Brevard Community College in 2012-13, leading team to a NJCAA No. 1 ranking and national runner-up finish in 2012. Also attended the University of Miami, playing one year. Attended Coral Reef Senior High School in Miami and was a four-year member of varsity girls soccer, winning four varsity letters and was named all-conference in senior season. She played eight years pf club soccer for South Dade United and two years for Cutler Ridge Soccer Club. She is the daughter of Sharon and Chris Hueston and chose Florida Tech to pursue her passion for soccer and gain a valuable education in sports management and marketing. Her post-graduate goal is to work for a professional sports team.
• Julia Kantor, Goalkeeper — Attended and played one season at Brevard Community College in 2012-13. sShe led the team to a NJCAA No. 1 ranking and national runner-up finish in 2012, also attended Hofstra University and redshirted as a freshman. Went to St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale and was a member of one of the top high school programs in the country, leading the team to a 25-1 record as a senior and district, regional, state and national championships. Her team earned the Adidas Coaches Association National Championship and was voted as the No. 2 girls athletic teams of the year by MaxPreps. As a goalkeeper, she led the nation with 24 shutouts, including 18 in a row, allowing just two goals during senior season for a 0.08 goals against average and earning ESPN RISE First-Team All-America honors. She was named first team all-state, Miami Herald Player of the Year and team’s defensive most valuable player. During her junior season she led team to a district championship and regional finals and was named the team’s defensive most valuable player. She is the daughter of Scott and Maureen Kantor and has one brother who played lacrosse at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. She aspires to become a teacher and coach upon graduation and admires U.S. women’s soccer goalie Hope Solo.
• Ciera Misner, Defense — Attended West Shore Jr./Sr. High School in Melbourne as a three-sport athlete who competed in soccer, track and field and volleyball, winning six varsity letters. She led the soccer team to four district championships, including three-straight from 2010 to 2012 and was a five-year starter beginning in eighth grade for the varsity soccer team, a two-time team captain and the first inductee into the West Shore Soccer Hall of Fame. She was named team MVP during her junior season and was named to the 2012 All-Space Coast Girls Soccer Second Team and competed in the 2013 FACA All-Star Game for the East Team while being dual enrolled at Brevard Community College. She played four seasons for Space Coast United and was a quarterfinalist at State Cup in 2012, a semifinalist at the Disney qualifier and showcase in 2011 and 2012 and played four seasons for the Lions Club. She is the daughter of Bert and Kim Misner and has two older brothers. Her cousin Greg Ouellettee was five-time All-American tennis player at the University of Florida and her cousin Katie Ouellette plays tennis at Brevard College in North Carolina. She chose Florida Tech for an exceptional educational opportunity and to play college soccer. She aspires to be a surgeon.
• Sky Morrison, Defense — Attended Satellite High School in Satellite Beach and played at the varsity level in soccer, cross country and track. She was named team captain and was selected to compete in the POSTYOURT North/South Class All-Star Soccer Match. She helped her team advance to the Regional Final match in 2011 and earned Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. She was a four-time team academic award recipient and a member of the 2012 Florida ODP State Team. She was named to the Cape Coast Conference Team, was Senior Class Vice President and National Honor Society Vice President, President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a peer counselor, also achieved a grade point average of 4.0 and an AP scholar distinction. She played at the state club level for Melbourne Beach Tsunami for one year and played three years for Space Coast United Soccer Club. She is the daughter of Duane and Robin Morrison and chose Florida Tech to pursue her love for soccer, the location, and engage in challenging academics. Her goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in communications and admires her parents for their wisdom.
• Karlyn Prisco, Goalkeeper — Attended Rockledge High School as a three-sport athlete who competed in soccer, swimming and track and field. She won 12 varsity letters, four in each sport and recorded 27 career shutouts, 14 during junior year and 13 during senior season. She was team captain and named team MVP during her junior year. She was named her school’s 2011-12 Female Athlete of the Year and an All-Space Coast Conference Second Team Goalkeeper during junior season. Also named to Hickory Point All-Tournament team in 2013. She was team captain of school’s swim team and received Raider Pride award her freshman year and the team’s sportsmanship award three-straight seasons. She played club soccer two years for Satellite Beach and played four years for Space Coast United where her team advanced to State Cup quarterfinals four consecutive years and won the State Cup in 2010. She has played for Rockledge Soccer Club since the age of 4. She is the daughter of Dondi and Stephanie Steele and has a younger sister, Lauryn. She chose Florida Tech for a great education and to play soccer and aspires to go on to medical school to become a physicians assistant or a physician specializing in sports.
• Jordan Symonds, Defense — Attended Windham High School in Windham, Maine where she was a two-sport athlete that competed in soccer and lacrosse and also cheerleading winning six varsity letters and was a two-time team captain, a two-time SMAA All-Star, a two-time SMAA All-Conference selection, and a two-time SMAA All-State selection. She was named 2012 Defender of the Year and was her team’s leading goal scorer during her sophomore season, leading team to an undefeated season. She played nine years for MPS Portland Phoenix in Portland, Maine and led the team to an Under-14 State Championship. She is the daughter of Scott and Paula Symonds and has two younger sisters. She has four cousins who played college athletics including Gina Mancini (Notre Dame/Swimming), Nicola Mancini (Bentley/Diving), Stefano Mancini (Maine/Basketball) and Heather Taylor (Bates/Basketball). Her uncle, Brad James, played minor league hockey for the Portland Pirates. She chose Florida Tech for the soccer program and the beach. Her post-graduate goals are to work in broadcasting or public relations. She admires her mother most because she is a smart, loving and creative person.
• Mary Watson, Midfield — Attended McKinney North High School in McKinney, Texas and was a member of the varsity girls soccer team, winning four varsity letters and named team captain. She was named to all-district second team as a freshman and named to all-district first team as a sophomore and junior. She was the defensive player of the year as a junior and is a member of the National Honor Society, Interact Rotary Club, Key Club and Orange Crush Spirit Squad. She achieved AP Scholar with honors. She played club soccer for the FC Dallas club team. She is the daughter of Chris and Patty Watson and chose Florida Tech for its research opportunities, location and athletic program. Her post-graduate goals are to earn a master’s in marine biology.
• Joy Wilkinson, Forward — Attended Viera High School where she was a member of the varsity soccer team for four years and was second on team in goals during both junior and senior years, leading the team in assists in back-to-back seasons. She was named team’s Player of the Year and named to All-Cape Coast Conference Second Team and is a member of the National Beta Club. She played eight years of club soccer for Space Coast United. She is the daughter of Clint and Tammie Wilkinson.
