Syracuse Signs Five For Women's Soccer

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Syracuse head women's soccer coach Phil Wheddon has announced five student-athletes have signed to play their collegiate soccer with the Orange. Taylor Bennett, Sydney Brackett, Opal Curless, Daniella Giancarli and Victoria Hill will join the program next fall.

"Our coaching staff is excited to get to work with this incoming class. I feel that this class allows us to compete at an even higher level in the ACC," Wheddon said. "It is our hope that each of these players will contribute as we move up the ladder in the ACC. We feel like each of these players will have a massive impact on our program and we look forward to having them join the rest of our players later in the year."

According to TopDrawerSoccer, Syracuse ranks 18th among incoming recruiting classes, which is exactly one spot ahead of the 2015 National Champion Penn State Nittany Lions. The 2016 class includes the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, two All-Americans and All-State and All-Area selections. Syracuse was one of only three schools with more than one player in the High School Women's Soccer All-American game.

Bennett, a native from Ithaca, N.Y., recorded an astounding 186 goals and 36 assists, including a single-season scoring record of 48 goals for Dryden High School. She also led the team to three state championships from 2013 to 2015, including a national championship in 2013. At the completion of her senior season, Bennett competed with the U.S. Women's National U-18 team. Bennett earned a New York First-Team All-State selection in four of her six years as a varisty athlete and was the IAC League MVP for three years. In 2014 and 2015 as a team captain, Bennett was named the ESPN Ithaca Player of the Year. In all six years, from seventh grade to her senior year, Bennett was named to the First-Team IAC All-Star team.

Brackett, a forward from Hollis, N.H., was an All-State and All-New England selection from her sophomore to senior year, accumulating 71 career goals that includes 31 her senior season at Hollis Brookline High School. She was also named to the 2015 East All-American Team where she played alongside incoming commit Curless. Brackett won the Golden Boot Award her senior year after scoring the most goals in the NEPSAC. After her stellar play on the pitch, Brackett was invited to play midfield for the United States Women's National U-19 Team as a senior. According to TopDrawer Soccer, Brackett is the No. 50 player in the class of 2016.

Curless, a midfielder from Mt. Desert, Maine, was named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year after recording 28 goals and 12 assists during her senior season at Mount Desert Island High School. Curless played six games as a senior where she had three or more goals scored, leading her to a spot on the East All-American Team. Along with being the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015, Curless was named Maine's NSCAA All-American and earned a spot on the All-New England Team, NSCAA All-Region Team, Eastern Maine State First Team and Northern Maine State First Team. According to TopDrawerSoccer, Curless is ranked the No. 68 player in the class of 2016. Outside of high school, Curless competed with the FC Stars for the past four seasons and competed at Nationals for the past three years, as her team ranked as one of the top 16 teams nationally.

Giancarli, a native of West Windsor, N.J., helped guide her team to a New Jersey Prep A Championship in each of her four years at The Pennington School. As a junior and senior, Giancarli earned a spot on the All-Prep First Team. At The Pennington School, Giancarli and her squad had an overall record of 67-9-2 through four years. From defense to offense, Giancarli registered 13 goals and 16 assists during her high school career, including six goals and four assists as a senior. She was also an All-Area First Team selection as a senior.

Hill, a native of Newtown, Pa., recorded 24 goals and 46 assists in her career at Council Rock North. She was named to the Suburban One League First Team and was an All-County selection. Hill also earned a spot on the Golden First Team. With the FC Bucks U-17 team, Hill helped guide the squad in becoming the American Legion National Champions. The FC Bucks then were U-18 Conference Champions and National Qualifiers. During her senior season, Hill finished with nine goals and 19 assists as a team captain for the Indians.

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