HIGH POINT, N.C. - High Point University women's soccer coach Marty Beall announced the addition of six players for the 2017 season on Wednesday. The 2017 recruiting class is comprised of two defenders, two midfielders and two forwards.
 
Tess Albert (Oak Ridge, N.C.), Kennedy Case (Colfax, N.C.), Sydney Colby (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Jess De Jesus (Cincinnati, Ohio), Mackenzie Mullins (Flemington, N.J.) and Charla Ward (Greensboro, N.C.) will enroll at High Point in the fall and join the Panthers for the upcoming season.

"I am honored that these six players have decided to join our women's soccer family at High Point University," Beall said. "Each of these young ladies bring their own unique qualities that will help our program continue to reach higher levels of success. Needless to say, I am very excited to get them on campus in August."
 
Tess Albert | M | 5-6 | Oak Ridge, N.C. | Piedmont Triad Futbol Club
Tess Albert is a midfielder from Northwest Guilford High School in Oak Ridge, N.C. She is a two-year letter winner who was an All-Region and All-Conference selection as a junior in 2016. Albert plays club soccer with the Piedmont Triad Futbol Club and has helped guide her team to four North Carolina State Championships.

"Tess is a very versatile player," Beall said. "She can play at a high level anywhere on the field which is very valuable."
 
Kennedy Case | D | 5-5 | Colfax, N.C. | Piedmont Triad Futbol Club
Kennedy Case is a defender from Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, N.C. She is a five-year letter winner who was named the Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Region selection as a junior in 2016 and is a two-time All-Conference selection. Case plays club soccer with Piedmont Triad Futbol Club.

"Kennedy is a fantastic athlete and an intense competitor," Beall said. "She will add depth and competition at outside back next season."

Sydney Colby | M | 5-7 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Fort Wayne United
Sydney Colby is a midfielder from the Canterbury School in Fort Wayne, Ind. She is a four-year letter winner who finished her prep career with 39 goals and 14 assists. She is a two-time All-Area selection and a two-time first-team All-Conference pick. The midfielder helped lead her team to back-to-back state titles as a sophomore and junior. Colby plays club soccer with Fort Wayne United.

"Sydney is a powerful left footed player," Beall said. "She can play both as a wide forward of as an outside back."

Jess De Jesus | F | 5-6 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Kings Hammer Academy
Jess De Jesus is a forward from Summit County Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a four-year letter winner and set the school's freshman records for goals scored and points. De Jesus helped to lead her team to four district championships and a state championship as a junior. She plays her club soccer with Kings Hammer Academy.

"Jess is a very smart central player," Beall said. "She is great at holding the ball and dictating the pace of play."

Mackenzie Mullins | D | 5-6 | Flemington, N.J. | Players Development Academy
Mackenzie Mullins is a defender from Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington, N.J. She is a four-year letter winner and finished her prep career with 24 goals and 17 assists. Mullins was a first-team All-State and All-Area selection as a senior in 2016. She plays her club soccer with the Players Development Academy and was a two-time ECNL National Runner Up in 2013 and 2014.

Mackenzie is a very athletic defender who can play anywhere on the backline," Beall said. "She is a fierce competitor who has an extremely high understanding of the game."

Charla Ward | F | 5-3 | Greensboro, N.C. | Piedmont Triad Futbol Club
Charla Ward is a forward from Ragsdale High School in Greensboro, N.C., and was named All-Conference as a junior in 2016. In addition to being a soccer player she is a four-time All-Conference performer in track who is a national qualifier in the 200m. Ward plays her club soccer with the Piedmont Triad Futbol Club and has been a part of four North Carolina State Championships.

"Charla is a dynamic forward," Beall said. "Her pace and one-v-one ability will cause problems for any opposing defense we face."
 
High Point brings back eight starters from its 2016 Big South Regular Season Champion squad that finished the season with a record 13 wins and a 13-6-2 record. The Panthers bring back first-team All-Conference selections Becca Rolfe and Paige Lloyd as well as second-team All-Big South pick and former Big South Defensive Player of the Year Alex Hank in goal.
 
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