Tampa Women’s Soccer Announces Class of 2016 Signees
First-year head coach Erin Switalski welcomes six incoming freshmen and one mid-year transfer.
TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa women's soccer coach Erin Switalski has announced the signing of six student-athletes for the Class of 2016. They will enroll and be eligible to compete in the fall of 2016. Additionally, Switalski has announced the addition of a midseason transfer.
Haley Pigott has enrolled at UT for the second semester as a midseason transfer. Among the signees are Gabriella Baldo, Syd Griner, Lauren Jackson, Lacy Nasello, Savannah Ulrich and Gracie Zas.
Following are complete bios on member of the Class of 2015.
Haley Pigott • 5-6 • For. • Fort Myers, Fla. • Jacksonville University/Evangelical Christian School
As a Sophomore (JU): Attended Jacksonville University, where she started six games...Played in 18 games, scoring a goal in 3-0 win over NJIT...Named scholar-athlete with 3.5-plus GPA.
As a Freshman (JU): Played in three games as a true freshman at Jacksonville University...Attempted one shot on goal.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for VSI West Florida Flames.
High School: Graduated from Evangelical Christian School...Finished high school career with 167, which was a school record...Led the state of Florida in goals as a junior with 75, leading team to a state runner-up finish...Named to the Fort Myers News-Press first-team in each of last three seasons...Started six years at ECS...Competed in track & field for five seasons, winning a district championship in the triple jump each year...Part of 1995 ODP State Team.
Personal: Member of National Honor Society and Student Government...Named Rotary Scholar-Athlete...Daughter of Jason and Transy Pigott...Has two brothers, Jason and Nathan...Allied health major...Born September 23.
Switalski on Pigott: "I am excited about the addition of Haylee to the team. I have had the opportunity to work with her throughout her club days in Fort Myers. It's such an advantage to bring players into the program who we already have a great relationship with and know exactly what my expectations are. We are going to look to her over the next 2 years to add to our offense on the field."
Gabby Baldo • 6-0 • For. • Glenview, Ill. • Glenbrook South HS
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Sockers FC Chicago and coached by Trey Bradberry… Fourth in Nationals… State Cup Champions. High School: Graduated from Glenbrook High School, where she played every position... coached by Coach Ha.
Personal: Volunteer with Girl Scouts… Fed the hungry… Helped out in a homeless shelter… Daughter of Joe Baldo and Francine… Has four siblings, Alfonso, Lia, Athena, and Demetrio… Undecided major… Born May 30th.
Switalski on Baldo: "Gabby will be a great addition in our attack. She brings a much needed physical presence and will be a player we look for in the attacking 3rd to help create goal scoring opportunities."
Syd Griner • 5-2 • For. • Trinity, Fla. • J.W. Mitchell HS
Club Highlights: Played club soccer at Tampa Bay United Elite under coaches Neil Oughten and Kelvin Jones.
High School: Graduated from JW Mitchell High School, playing for coach Karl Kukec and the Mustangs...Won SAC All-Conference.
Personal: Active two-year member of the Interact Club...Daughter of Addam and Lisa Griner...Has one brother, Nick...General studies major...Born August 28.
Switalski on Griner: "Sydney, is an extremely hard worker and will be able to help in several different areas on the field. Her never give-up mentality will be able to carry her far throughout her college career."
Lauren Jackson • 5-4 • Mid. • Melbourne, Fla. • Melbourne HS
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Orlando City and coaches Dan Tidmarsh and Allan Hough.
High School: Attended Melbourne High School, playing under coach Rosanna Lorda...was on 2012 ODP state team, 2012-2013 FHSAA 4A Women's Soccer State Champion, and 2013-2014 FHSAA Women's Soccer State Champion while playig for the Bulldogs...three time National Honors Society recipient, with forty-two hours of college duel enrollment.
Personal: Helped injured athletes to overcome everything and get back on track in regards to working out and eating right...Daughter of Van and Stacey Jackson...Has one brother, Carson...Allied Health with Physical Therapy major...Born September 8.
Switalski on Jackson: "We are looking to Lauren to add an impact to our midfield. She is an extremely hardworking smart technical player who can read the game very well. She has the ability to control the midfield."
Lacy Nasello • 5-8 • Def. • Land O'Lakes, Fla. • Land O'Lakes HS
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Tampa Bay United and coach Neil Oughten...Helped club to second-place in states and Disney Tournament championship.
High School: Graduated from Land O'Lakes High School, where she played for coach Vicky King...School record in track for 4x800 and first-team all-conference for soccer with the Gators...Four-year academic award winner...Helped soccer team to two-straight state championship appearances.
Personal: Volunteered for a club called CEC (Council to Exceptional Children)...Worked with special needs kids...Daughter of Tim and Felicia Nasello...Has three siblings, Holly, Sydny and Lexy...Older sister and father both played collegiate soccer...Athletic training major...Born May 15.
Switalski on Nasello: "Lacey is an exciting addition to our program. Her natural athletic ability will allow her to be very versatile playing both in our back line and in the midfield. She is a very hard tough player that will never be out worked."
Savannah Ulrich • 5-3 • Def. • The Woodlands, Texas • The Woodlands HS
Club Highlights: Played club for the Challenge Soccer Club…Coached by Pat O'Toole and Stuart Self...2013 ECNL National Finals and 2015 ECNL Playoffs.
High School: Attended The Woodlands High School, where she was coached by Dina Graves…All-District Team… All-Academic All District...Team captain for three-time district champs...Played for South Texas ODP Team and Region 3 ODP Pool...Awarded Clutch Goal of the Year in 2015 to win I-10 Shootout Tournament.
Personal: National Honor Society...Three-time All-District Academic...Volunteer with AFJROTC SIRE Therapeutic Rehabilitation …Daughter of Chris and Tammy Ulrich… Pre-med major and kinesiology minor… Born on January 11.
Switalski on Ulrich: "Savannah is a player who will constantly buzz around in our midfield bringing havoc to opposing teams. She is both technically and athletically gifted and will be able to fit right into our style of play."
Gracie Zas • 5-0 • Mid. • Tampa, Fla. • Sickles HS
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Tampa Bay United U18 and was coached by Adrian Bush and Jim Cote...Helped club to 2015 USYS National Championship, 2015 Region 3 title, 2015 Florida State Cup Champions, 2015 Disney Showcase Champions, 2015 ACDC Champions, 2015 Southern Region Premier League and USYS National League...Also advanced to Southern Regional Invite as Finalists.
High School: Graduated from Sickles High School.
Personal: Member of Olympic Developmental Team for 1998 age group and Regional Pool Region 3 with 1998 age group...Earned Interregional Invite Region 3 and 4...Volunteered with HOPE Children's Home...Full name is Grace Elizabeth Zas...Daughter of Bruce and Melissa Zas...Has an older brother, Bruce...Business major...Born January 9.
Switalski on Zas: "Gracie is going to be a great addition to our team. We will look to her to add in our attack. She has the ability both athletically and soccer wise to run at players 1v1 and create scoring opportunities."