Eight Join Women's Soccer on Signing Day

(2/7/2018) Women's Soccer 2018 Signees

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Head Women's Soccer Coach Robin Confer and her staff announced the addition of eight Ospreys on National Signing Day.

"Coming off one of the best seasons in program history, we feel this class addresses our needs that will allow us to continue to build on our recent success," said coach Confer. "We have added eight players that we feel that can come in right away and compete for playing time. We return almost our entire squad from 2017. With these additions, we feel that we are set up extremely well to be a contender for the ASUN Title race. My staff has worked tirelessly and these are exciting times for UNF soccer and we can't wait to get started this fall."

These eight players join Kendra Hoffman who graduated early to compete with the Ospreys this spring. Hoffman is from New Port Richey, Fla. comes to UNF after a four-year career at Mitchell High School as well as a successful club campaign with the Region Premier League (R3PLE),

Click on a signees name to read more about them.
JJ Bryant | Hannah Cardozo | McKenna Galioto | Julie Lombardo | Julia Martin | Vanessa Piermont | Avery Sweet | Emma Voigt

Johnnie-Joy (JJ) Bryant
Position: Defender
Hometown: Rockledge, Fla.
High School: Viera High School
Club Team: Space Coast United

High School: A top scorer who plays for Cal Dixon at Viera High School, also serves as Team Captain… Viera won District, Regional, State Championships and a National Championship in 2015-16

Club: After moving to Florida, played for FC America on U12 and U13 teams … Played for OCYS Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) on U14, U15, and U16 teams … Has played for Space Coast United for two years. Now on U19, and is also a Discovery Player for Jacksonville Armada ECNL.

In addition - two-years for Region III ODP … Played in the All-Star Team Game at the Super Y ODP National Camp … Training camps for the US Club Soccer National ID Program (id2), in South Carolina and New Jersey … Several US Soccer Federation Training Center Camps … Has been named to the Top-Drawer Soccer, Girls IMG Academy Top 150, since she was 14 … Four- time Challenge Sports 3v3 National Champion … Won the FYSA "Goal of The Year" for 2017 … Her strengths include speed, versatility, free kicks, and a great slide tackle.

Personal: Full name is Johnnie-Joy Leilani Marie Ann Bryant … Daughter of Chance and Trudy Hall … Born in Hawaii on November 20th, 1999 … Proud of being part Hawaiian … Known as "The Flying Hawaiian" on the soccer field because of her speed and agility … Has two younger siblings, Marc and Johntelle … Planning on a degree in biology, then pursuing something in the medical field.

Club Coach's Quote: "JJ's passion and heart for the game of soccer drives her desire to make a difference in every game. She is the spark that is needed to create a domino effect of results. She has the skill and competitive drive to win when it matters most. With all this said JJ is truly just fun to watch!"

Why She Chose UNF: I visited a lot of schools, but UNF just feels right for me. It offers great academic programs, and I know that Coach Confer and her staff will help me get to the highest level of my game.

What Coach Confer Says: "JJ is going to be a fun player for UNF fans to watch this fall. She is an explosive and physical presence on the field and is fearless. Her ability at center back to tackle and be dominant in the air is very good. Not only does she bring a physical presence but her speed is very good. She is the type of player that can step in and impact right away."

Hannah Cardozo
Position: GK
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: King
Club Team: Florida Soccer Club

High School: Four-year varsity starter at King High School and a captain her senior year ... Team went to district finals all four seasons … named team MVP and first team All-Conference … Led her team to an undefeated 2017-2018 district season with shut-outs in all district games ... Student in the International Baccalaureate Program and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Junior Statesmen of America.

Club: Starting goalkeeper for Florida Soccer Club for 10 years under Michael Rowan and Mark Shepherd … Team captain for the past 4 years … Team made it to the semifinals of the International Iber Cup, won Memorial Day tournament, and finished first in their division in the 2015-2016 season.

Personal: Full name is Hannah Elise Cardozo … Born on September 19, 1999 in Covington, La. … Daughter of Manny Cardozo and Shari Golson and has three siblings, Manuel, Sarah, and Ben … Recipient of the UNF Presidential Platinum Scholarship and plans to double major in criminology and psychology.

Club Coach's quote: "Hannah is an outstanding soccer player. She's committed to her teammates and is always striving to be a better player. Hannah is the complete package. I have had the privilege of being Hannah's coach for the last 10+ years. The University of North Florida is lucky to have her."

Why She Chose UNF: "I have dreamed about playing college soccer for as long as I can remember. When I first heard of UNF, I was immediately hooked. I showed up at their ID camp I knew that this was exactly where I wanted to play. Touring the school and watching the girls play allowed me to see that UNF really is a perfect fit for me and I cannot wait to see how this team can help me grow and how I can help the team continue to grow and be ever improving."

What Coach Devin Zvosec Says: "Hannah is a very athletic goalkeeper who possesses the ability to make the tough saves. She is very quick and a great shot stopper. Her soccer IQ is very good and allows her to read the game very well."

McKenna Galioto
Position: GK
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
High School: South Forsyth High School
Club Team: Tophat ECNL

High School: Varsity player at South Forsyth High school where team finished in the Georgia top 10 multiple years … Member of the French National Honors Society

Club: Played final club season at Tophat Soccer club 2017 (Named # 1 club in the U.S.) ... Played with GSA 99 ECNL team three years prior to that … Was a TopDrawer Soccer Sanford Showcase player in 2015 … Played on the Georgia ODP Team 2012-2015 and Region 3 Camp 2012.

Personal: Full name is McKenna Susan Katherine Galioto … Daughter of Jennifer and Brien Galioto … Has one brother, Schoen and one sister, Lauren ... Born on January 10, 2000 … Plans on majoring in business finance.

Club Quote Coach: "McKenna has proven to be a consistent competitor with a clear understanding of what it takes to play at the next level. Her presence combined with her aerial dominance and athletic range will make her a valuable asset. McKenna is a coachable player that strives to continue to develop and grow."

Why She Chose UNF: "After attending the North Florida ID camp last year, I fell in love with the campus and coaches. Then when I came back to UNF for my unofficial visit, the current players made me feel like part of the team. It's such a great team atmosphere in a competitive environment that I see myself fitting right in. Coaches Devin and Robin made me feel at home. Plus, the great academics made it an easy choice. I can't wait to be a part of the program and getting started this fall!"

Coach Zvosec Says: "McKenna is a talented keeper competing at the highest club level. Her frame allows her to dominate her box when dealing with flank service. Also, she is an excellent communicator to help to make the defensive unit solid. Lastly, her distribution is very good and allows her team to counter quickly off her punts or long throws."

Julia Lombardo
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Palm Coast, Fla.
High School: Flagler Palm Coast
Club Team: Florida Kraze Krush (FKK) ECNL

High School: Four-year starting varsity player and senior season captain … Ranked third in district by Max Preps for goals (18), second for points (51), and first for assists (15) this season … Four-time Max Preps Player of the Game in 2017-18 season … Instrumental in assisting team to achieve three straight conference championships and back-to-back District championships … Additionally, achieved both District and Regional runner-up in the 2016-17 season … Student Athletic Advisory Council representative for high school athletes freshman, sophomore, and junior years … ranked 16^th in graduating class of 565 students.

High School Coach Quote: "Julia is a very good technical player with a strong left foot, who has worked extremely hard. She has tremendous soccer knowledge, excellent vision, and a nose for the goal."

Club: ECNL player 2016-2018 … Black team ranked #2 in State and #6 in Region and won the Disney Showcase Tournament championship … 2016 ODP Florida state player … 2014 Super Y Nationals (and selected as top 2% of Super Y players in nation to attend ODP training at IMG Academy) … 2013 Super Y Nationals … 2009-2013 played on all boys competitive traveling team (Ormond Beach Apollo)

Personal: Full name is Julia Bonnie Lombardo … born May 24, 2000 … Daughter of Roberto and Jeanith Lombardo … has one brother, John Read … Planning to major in coastal/marine sciences

Club Coach Quote: "Julia is a hardworking, skillful center-mid who will bring a tremendous amount both on the field and off the field to the University of North Florida. We are excited to see her develop, and to see her contributions over the next four years."

Why she chose UNF: After careful consideration, I chose UNF because, for me, it was the whole package. I loved the coaching staff, team, facilities, and campus, and was equally impressed with the institution academically.

What Coach Confer Says: "Julia brings in a blue-collar, hard working mentality. Every time I have seen her play, she covers a lot of ground in the midfield and works extremely hard. She is very good on the ball and left-foot dominant which always nice to add."

Julia Martin
Position: MF
Hometown: Merritt Island, Fla.
High School: Merritt Island
Club: Orlando City ECNL

High School: Four-year starter at Merritt Island High School ... Received Team Outstanding Newcomer Award ... Won the district, region, and Cape-Coast Conference championships, and reached the Florida State Final Four in 2014-2015 and again in 2015-2016 ... Won the class 3A Florida state championship in 2016-2017

Club: Played under Calvin Dixon for the Central Brevard Cyclones from age 9 to age 15 ... Played for the U16 Orlando City ECNL team under Alan Hough ... Team made it to the National Playoffs in California ... Played U18/U19 age group last two years of club for Orlando City ECNL ... Was featured in the Top Drawer Soccer article "ECNL Sanford: Best XI" in January 2017.

Personal: Full name is Julia Kristine Martin ... Daughter of Holly and Frank Martin ... Has two siblings, Jessica and Tim... Born on October 19, 1999 ... Plans to major in Biology

Club Coach's Quote: "In a generation of entitlement and instant gratification, Julia Martin stands alone as a true indication that the human work ethic is still alive and well. It has been an honor to coach Julia and to walk beside her as she fought to make her top choice a reality! She is a tremendous soccer player with superior technical dribbling abilities and her transition is perfect on the field and during the training environment. Although Julia is a great athlete, she is an even finer human being. I am so excited to see her step into the NCAA division 1 level under a phenomenal coach and mentor, in Robin Confer. This is a great situation, and I consider it to be a privilege to have coached Julia at Orlando City ECNL and to be part of the recruiting process with University of North Florida. I can't wait to see how God will use her to become the powerful woman and role model that she will become!"

Why She Chose UNF: "I chose UNF because I feel the Osprey program will give me the chance to really expand my knowledge of the game and improve my soccer abilities. I feel it is a school where I can thrive not only on the field, but in the classroom too."

What Coach Confer Says: "We are excited to add Julia to this class and she is a very versatile player that we can really put anywhere on the field. She is very comfortable on the ball, solves pressure well and has a great awareness of what is around her. Her work rate and mobility is very good and we are looking forward to seeing her impact our program."

Vanessa Piermont
Position: D/F
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
High School: Bishop Moore Catholic
Club Team: Orlando City ECNL

High school: Lettered three years as a starter and captain her senior season … Helped the team become district champions all four years and the 2A State Runner Up in 2016 … District champion in Track & Field and State Qualifier in the 4x400 and 4x100 … Member of the National Honor Society, Latin Honor Society, English Honor Society and Rho Kappa … Posted 4.2 weighted GPA each semester as a freshman and as a senior.

Club: Played for Orlando City ECNL team as an outside back and wing … Member of the team that reached the ECNL OCYS national tournament in 2017.

Personal: Full name is Vanessa Aleida Piermont…Born on April 8, 2000. Daughter of Sunia and Steve Piermont…Has one younger sibling, Rachel … Planning to major in Special Education.

Coach's Quote: "Vanessa is a tremendous soccer player with exceptional versatility. She can play several positions and thrives on attacking the goal. She is a great 1v1 player and is one of the best crossing players that I have coached. I can't wait to see how Vanessa grows and develops under the guidance of Robin Confer. I wish her the absolute best in her college career and it truly has been a privilege to walk beside such a great person."

Why she chose UNF: "When I was deciding where I wanted to go, I looked for a school that I felt comfortable at and felt like home. I chose the University of North Florida because of the location, coaching staff, team chemistry, and the outstanding special education program."

What Coach Confer Says: "Vanessa is a true athlete and brings a hard physical presence to the field. She is very versatile and can play either in the back or upfront. She is an extremely hard worker and love her ability to attack out of the back and provide dangerous service from the flanks."

Avery Sweet
Position: M/F
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Middle Creek
Club Team: CASL ECNL

High school: Two-year varsity player for Middle Creek High … Led the team in points and goals junior year … helped the team to State Cup Semifinals … All-Conference first team honoree as a junior … earned All-Academic honors.

Club: CASL player since the age of 5 … Helped her team to CASL Girl Junior Showcase Championship in 2014 … Was also an ECNL team: Region III semifinalist 2014 … Earned the Hamilton Sportsmanship Award 2014 & 2015 … North American Showcase 2015 … ECNL Chesapeake Division Champion 2015 … NCYSA State Cup Champion 2016 … USYS Southern Region Championship 2016 … USYSA Region III Premier League First Division Champions undefeated 2016 … SRPL Premier Division currently undefeated 2017

Club Coach's Quote: "Avery is the type of player that coaches love to have on their team. She is a technical player with an amazingly high work rate. She is very active off the ball and dangerous in the attack. I can't wait to see what she will accomplish at UNF."

Why She Chose UNF: "I chose UNF because it offers all aspects of an educational curriculum for coastal biology as well as an impressive soccer program."

What Coach Confer Says: "Avery adds another left-footed dimension to this class and versatility. She is extremely athletic and fast. She can play anywhere out wide as a winger, wide midfielder or an outside back. Her defensive work rate on the field is very good and she is also dangerous with her service from the flanks."

Emma Voigt
Position: M/F
Hometown: St. Augustine, Fla.
High School: Pedro Menendez
Club Team: Florida Elite ECNL

High school: Four year Varsity player … Three-time All-Conference honoree … Earned All-County first team and All-State honors her junior season ... Was selected by her team to be captain her junior year ... Was voted Offensive MVP her junior year, and won the Falcon award (the schools highest title) her sophomore year … Named as Top Drawers soccer All-Star for the state of Florida her junior year … Recorded 35 goals and 40 assists for her first three seasons, and was sidelined her senior year due to injury … A four-year International Baccalaureate student, and a member of the Athletic Leadership council.

Club: Played with Ponte Vedra and JFC Storm from 2009-2014 where they were the 2013 state champions, and semifinalist in regional championships … selected in 2014 to be On the Region Premiere 3 team, as well as one of the 16 teams to be on the national league … semifinalist at state cup for 2014, won the region 3 premiere league, and made it to the final 8 of the national championship that year as well.

Was a member of the Florida Elite ECNL team for the past three seasons … Made it to the Final Four of state championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017 … Won the Disney Showcase in 2015 … A member of the Region 3 premiere league until moving over to ECNL.

Personal: Full name is Emma Cecilia Voigt … Daughter of Cindy Marshall and Casey Voigt … Born on April 4, 2000 … Has two little sisters, Maya and Ava … Planning to major in sports medicine.

Club Coach's Quote: "Emma is a great wide player who likes to take players on. She has a good mix of athleticism and technical ability that makes her a handful to deal with. She has suffered a lot of adversity over the last year and a half, but I expect her to rebound quickly and have a successful college career."

Why She Chose UNF: I chose UNF because after visiting a few other schools and meeting Coach Confer and her staff, it just felt right. I love her style of play and as an outside midfielder, I enjoy taking players on 1v1 and that is how she plays. I felt I really connected with the other players and bonded immediately with them as well.

What Coach Confer Says: Emma is an exciting player to watch and is a very good 1v1 attacker. She is a true winger and her pace and explosiveness to get past players is very good. She is good at getting around the corner and serving dangerous balls into the box."

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