VMI Women's Soccer Announces Recruiting Class

LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI women’s soccer program has announced its 2011-12 recruiting class, according to information released by the program Thursday.

The class of nine includes eight players from Virginia and one, Killian Buckley, from Massachusetts. It is the largest recruiting class in program history. Eight of the nine were high school team captains as well.

“I believe that this class could be our strongest ever,” said VMI head coach Bryan Williams. “It will rival our current senior class, the group that earned the program’s first postseason win as freshmen. The group is representative of strong clubs in Virginia, including Beach FC, which helped produce current players Kelly Morrison and Amanda Berrios, and all of the signees will play a good number of minutes throughout the season. In short, this class will be a great nucleus for the next four years.”

Capsules on each individual signee appear below.


Liz Affronti, M, Virginia Beach, Va. (Norfolk Academy)

First Team All-TCIS (2010)…First Team All-State (2010)…TCIS Tournament Offensive MVP (2010)…member of Virginia Rush and Beach FC club teams…program’s first signee from Norfolk Academy…grandfather (Royce Jones ’55) was a former VMI football player who served as Director of Cadet Affairs until 1995…is niece of Craig Jones, VMI ’80, former kicker and NFL player with the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Coach’s Quote: “Liz is a very strong, technical player with a wicked left foot. She has had a tremendous season for Norfolk, and will provide needed balance for us at midfield and forward in 2011.”

Nicole Blixt, D, Montclair, Va. (Forest Park)

Four-year letterwinner at Forest Park…All-District Honorable Mention…member of 2010 District Champions…played for Loudoun 92 Red Club, ranked #1 in Virginia and #21 in nation in 2010…State and District Olympic Development Program (ODP) 2009…member of National Honor Society…also part of the National Art Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society.
Coach’s Quote: “Nicole is a very strong central defender and defensive midfielder. She will provide needed aerial dominance for us on the back line, and on attacking restarts.”

Killian Buckley, D, Warren, Mass. (Tantasqua Regional)

Four-year starter at Tantasqua Regional…First Team SWCL…member of Central Massachusetts soccer All-Star team…senior captain…played for Massachusetts Premier Soccer and New England Futbol Club club teams…National Honor Society member…will attend VMI with a Navy ROTC scholarship.
Coach’s Quote: “Killian is a hard-working, passionate player who is strong in both her play and her competitive focus. She represents a different region of the country for our program, and will be an excellent addition to VMI women’s soccer.”


Myranda Emery, D, Manassas, Va. (Osbourn Park)

Four-year letterwinner at Osbourn Park…All-District…Super Y ODP National Camp All-Star…Region I ODP tournament finalist…ODP district and state team…played for Loudoun 92 Red and Arlington Pride club teams…former jump rope gold medalist in the junior Olympics…both father and brother are semi-pro anglers.
Coach’s Quote: “Myranda is a tenacious, hard-working outside back who will help anchor our defense over the next four years. She has a terrific left foot, which also makes her an offensive threat for us from the left side of the field.”


Hannah Fulgencio, M/F, Dumfries, Va. (Potomac)

Four-year letterwinner at Potomac HS…selected AAA All-Northwest Region First Team by the Washington Post (2010)…All-Area honorable mention (2010)…AAA Cardinal District Second Team…two-time Super-Y League South Atlantic…two-time recipient of VHSL Academic Excellence Award…played for VSA Heat, PWSI Courage and NVSC-Super Y club teams.
Coach’s Quote: “Hannah is a crafty, attacking midfielder/forward. She has the reputation as a terrific passer and creative offensive player.”


Kirsten Hancock, GK, Midlothian, Va. (Midlothian)

Four-year letterwinner at Midlothian HS…First Team All-District (2009)…Second Team All-Region that season as well…two-time Second Team All-District (2010-11)…four-time All-Academic…two-time team captain…high school teammate of fellow signees Erica and Sarah Putney…played for Richmond Kickers Elite club team…two-time Super Y ODP National Camp selection…Super Y ODP Camp All-Star…Super Y ODP Select team…Fayetteville Friendlies All-Star.
Coach’s Quote: “Kirsten comes in after a four-year career as one of the top goalkeepers in the Richmond area. She will step in right away, as a leader and a great addition to our defense.”

Erica Putney, D, Midlothian, Va. (Midlothian)

Three-time Second Team All-District, multiple-time All-Academic...twin sister of fellow signee Sarah…high school teammate of Kirsten Hancock as well…played for numerous club teams, including Chesterfield United and the Richmond Strikers…lettered two years in indoor track as well, including being a part of the 8th place 4X400-meter relay at the 2009 state championships.

Coach’s Quote: “Erica is a fast, strong defensive player who has done an outstanding job at Midlothian. She will help give us depth, as will her sister, at midfield, and Erica will also contribute on the back line.”

Sarah Putney, M/F, Midlothian, Va. (Midlothian)

Former Second Team All-District selection…All-Academic…had 32 points in the 2010 season…former captain of FC Richmond club team…also played for Richmond Strikers…lettered two years in indoor track as well, including being a part of the 8th place 4X400-meter relay at the 2009 state championships…member of National Honor Society, National German Society and National Art Honors Society.
Coach’s Quote: “Sarah is a quality attacking player, who will give us depth not only up top, but also in the midfield. She is a great addition to our program, coming from the Richmond area.”

Allie Segura, M/F, Hampton, Va. (Kecoughtan)

Multiple-time All-District honoree…two-time Honorable Mention All-Region, and former Second Team All-Region as well…came into her senior season with 21 career goals…was team’s ’09 varsity MVP…member of Beach FC Red Piranhas club team.
Coach’s Quote: “Allie is a very technical, versatile player. She has been a dominant player at Kecoughtan, and I look forward to her joining our team and using her abilities over the next four years.”
VMI women’s soccer will begin its regular season Friday, August 19, as the Keydets play host to Howard at Patchin Field.