George Washington University Athletics
GW Women's Soccer Adds Six to 2012 Roster
2/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
WASHINGTON - The George Washington women's soccer team has added six newcomers to the 2012 roster, first-year head coach Sarah Barnes announced on Tuesday. Emily Brown, Shannon Murphy, Fernanda Rojas, Alex Short, Brooke Stoller and Chouassi Tshimanga will join the Colonials' squad this fall season.
"I'm looking forward to welcoming these six players to our GW team," Barnes said. "They will provide our team with a lot of depth and energy, and I am excited to work with them."
GW is set to return 18 letterwinners and eight starters from last season's team.
The new additions include:
Emily Brown
Midfield/Defense
Southborough, Mass.
Algonquin Regional High School - Massachusetts Premier Soccer
5-foot-4
Emily led her Algonquin team to a 2009 Massachusetts Division 1 State Championship and was a two-time winner of her squad's sportsmanship award. She earned Central Massachusetts all-star honors in 2010 and was named to the all-state team in 2011. Emily was a member of the 2011 Super-Y National Championship and the 2010 Disney College Showcase championship teams. She also played for the Charles River United club team from 2005-07 and currently plays for the Massachusetts Premier Soccer club, where she was named team MVP in 2009. Emily was a two-year member of National Honors Society and a three-year member of the Peer Mentor Program. She was ranked 27th in her class with a 4.75 grade point average.
Head coach Sarah Barnes on Emily Brown: "Emily is a very hard worker and she's good on the ball. She will be a strong force both offensively and defensively."
Emily Brown on why she chose GW: "I chose GW because it offers a high level of academics which will continuously challenge me, and it is in the center of an amazing city that will provide me with endless amounts of possibilities during and after college. On top of that I get to be a part of a team and a great Division I soccer program."
Emily Paige Brown was born on Feb. 2, 1994, in Newton, Mass. She is the daughter of Eileen and Jeff Brown and has one younger sister, Lindsay, and one younger brother, Griffin. Her major at GW is undecided.
Shannon Murphy
Midfield
Kensington, Conn.
Berlin High School - Oakwood Premiere
5-foot-8
Shannon was a four-year starter on both the girls' soccer and lacrosse teams at Berlin High School, where she led her soccer squad to three straight conference championships. She was a two-time All-Central Connecticut Conference honoree, in addition to twice being named to the All-Herald and All-Courant girls' soccer teams. She also earned all-state accolades in 2011. Shannon earned the sportsmanship award in 2011 and also earned her lacrosse team's Redcoat Award for Leadership in 2009. She played club soccer for Ajax for four years and was a member of the Connecticut Olympic Development Program (ODP) U12-U16 teams. She currently plays for the Oakwood Premier club team. Shannon was a member of the Honors Society and earned Berlin all-academic honors.
Head coach Sarah Barnes on Shannon Murphy: "Shannon is a technically talented player. She has a great presence on the field and will make an impact next year."
Shannon Murphy on why she chose GW: "The George Washington University is beautiful night and day; the people are so unique and there is always something to do. I cannot wait to be able to call Washington, D.C., my home."
Shannon Tracy Murphy was born on Jan. 21, 1994, in New Britain, Conn. She is the daughter of Colleen and Kevin Murphy and has two older sisters, Casey and Maggie. Her major at GW is undecided, but she aspires to become a broadcast journalist.
Fernanda Rojas
Midfield
Miami, Fla.
Palmer Trinity School - Miami Strike Force Cagliari
5-foot-3
Fernanda was a five-year member of the Palmer Trinity girls' soccer team. She is a five-time All-Miami Dade honoree and was named Player of the Week by the Miami Herald five times. She led her team to a district championship five straight years and was named the team's MVP her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Fernanda totaled a school-record 127 goals and 99 assists during her career, in addition to setting school records for goals in a game (six) and goals in a season (47). She was twice nationally ranked by ESPN Rise for most goals and assists in a season, as well as most goals scored in a game. She also played for the Cutler Ridge Lady Fury U-18 club team as well as the Miami Strike Force Cagliari U-18/19 club team. Fernanda was a member of her high school's Eco- Club and the League Against Cancer Cangrejos, and she attended a Nicaragua Open Hearts mission trip. She is an honor roll student and was awarded the ceramics honor award.
Head coach Sarah Barnes on Fernanda Rojas: "Fernanda is a passionate and feisty player. She is a technical player on the ball and will fight for every possession."
Fernanda Rojas on why she chose GW: "I chose GW because it offered everything that I was looking for - an incredible academic environment to prepare me for my future and the opportunity to play Division I soccer. GW's location cannot be compared to any other, opening endless opportunities ahead of me for these next four years of my life."
Fernanda Daniela Rojas was born on May 2, 1994, in Caracas, Venezuela. She is the daughter of Sandra Couttenye and Luis Alejandro Rojas and has one older brother, Santiago. Fernanda intends to major in economics at GW and aspires to work within the art industry.
Alex Short
Midfield
Cincinnati, Ohio
Saint Ursula Academy - Hammer F.C.
5-foot-6
Alex led her Saint Ursula team to two Division I Scarlet GGCL Championships, along with back-to-back district final bids in the Ohio state tournament. For her efforts she was named second team all-state during her junior year. Alex also played for the Hammer Futbol Club in Cincinnati. She was a Spanish Honors Society member for two years and participated in Bulldog Buddies, a program focused on tutoring inner city youth.
Head coach Sarah Barnes on Alex Short: "Alex is a strong central player and she has a good soccer I.Q. She is great at switching the point of attack and distributing the ball to teammates."
Alex Short on why she chose GW: "The combination of George Washington's academic reputation, strong sports conference and urban campus in the nation's capital made it the perfect fit for me. My aspirations of working as a member of the communications department in the White House made the location of George Washington ideal. I know that as a student, I will take advantage of the opportunities the city has to offer."
Alexandra Glisovich Short was born on Dec. 2, 1993, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is the daughter of Emina and Thomas Short and has one younger sister, Helene. Alex intends to major in communications at GW and aspires to work as a member of the communications department at the White House.
Brooke Stoller
Midfield/Defense
Newton, Mass.
The Rivers School - Massachusetts Premier Soccer
5-foot-8
Brooke was a two-time all-league and all-state selection for The Rivers School. During her senior season she was named team MVP after leading her squad with 13 goals and 17 assists on the year. She also led the team in assists during her sophomore and junior seasons. An eight-year member of the Massachusetts Premier Soccer (MPS) Renegades, Brooke led her team to a Super-Y National Championship in 2011 and was named to the all-tournament team. She was a member of the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program (ODP) for three years, including the 2011 Region 1 Tournament championship squad. Brooke was also a two-year member of the debate team and co-founder of The Rivers Running Club.
Head Coach Sarah Barnes on Brooke Stoller: "Brooke is an outstanding playmaker with an ability to hold onto the ball. She is a soccer aficionado."
Brooke Stoller on why she chose GW: "I chose GW because of a combination of the incredible city, competitive team and great academics. On my visit I felt at home with the team and the campus, and I am really looking forward to next fall."
Brooke Alexandra Stoller was born on March 9, 1994. She is the only child of Wilma and Michael Stoller. Brooke intends to major in mathematics at GW.
Chouassi Ntumba-Die Tshimanga
ForwardRockville, Md.
Rockville High School - Bethesda Force
5-foot-7
Chouassi was Rockville High School's top scorer for three straight years as she led her squad to a division championship during her senior season. She earned All-Gazette honorable mention as a freshman while landing a spot on the first team as a junior and second team as a senior. Chouassi was named to the all-state second team during her junior year and earned All-Met honorable mention accolades twic. She was the top scorer in the county in 2011 with 16 goals. She also played for Montgomery Soccer Club for four years and currently plays for the Bethesda Force. Chouassi was a member of the National Honors Society and the Young Change-Makers organization. Maintaining over a 4.0 grade-point average, she was part of the International Baccalaureate Program at Rockville.
Head coach Sarah Barnes on Chouassi Tshimanga: "Chouassi possesses tremendous speed and athleticism. She helps stretch the field in order to utilize all aspects of the forward line; she is a force to be reckoned."
Chouassi Tshimanga on why she chose GW: "I chose GW because I knew I would be able to have both the academic rigor necessary to prepare me for medical school as well as the ability to continue to play soccer at a high level."
Chouassi Ntumba-Die Tshimanga was born on June 17, 1994, in Silver Spring, Md. She is the daughter of Marvele and Jean-Marc Tshimanga and has one younger sister, Caramie. Chouassi intends to major in biology at GW as aspires to become a doctor.
