UNC Wilmington women’s soccer Head Coach Paul Cairney has announced the signing of Emily Burchette (Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road), Nicole Costa (Waxhaw, N.C./Weddington) Stephanie Costelloe (Long Beach, N.Y./Kellenburg Memorial), Madyson Marshburn (Wilmington, N.C./John T. Hoggard) and Natalie Winslow (Wilson, N.C./Ralph L. Fike) to National Letters-of-Intent. All five players will join the Seahawks program as freshmen for the 2010 season.

“We have a strong core group of players returning from our 2009 squad,” said UNCW Head Coach Paul Cairney. “We have lost some very important pieces of last year’s team to graduation that will be difficult to replace straight away. But, our new players do bring a great deal of success with their club, ODP and high school teams. They give us flexibility and depth in several positions as we look ahead to 2010.”

Complete bios on all five players, as well as quotes from Coach Cairney, can be found below.

Emily Burchette

HIGH SCHOOL: Has guided Leesville Road to back-to-back NCHSAA Class 4A State Championships and three straight Cap 7 Conference crowns … Has helped coach Paul Dinkenor’s squad win 35 straight contests heading into 2010 season … Led Pride to No. 1 ranking in North Carolina for 2008 and 2009 seasons and No. 3 ranking in final 2009 ESPN Rise Fab 50 national poll … Served as co-captain of 2009 team that posted 23-0-3 mark … All Cap-7 Conference and All-Region selection as a junior

CLUB: Plays for Coach Pete Sadin on the Triangle Futbol Club … Led squad to back-to-back U-20 Super Y-League National Championships and 2008 NCYSA State Championship … Four-year member of the North Carolina ODP and Super Y-League national ODP programs … Club teammate of fellow incoming freshman Madyson Marshburn.

Cairney on Burchette: “Emily is a smart and talented defender. She has been well coached with her club team, Triangle Futbol Club, and understands the very tactical nature of playing at the back. She is tough in the tackle and can serve the ball very well; both in the run of play and from set-pieces.”

Nicole Costa

HIGH SCHOOL: Has played two seasons on the varsity squad at Weddington under the guidance of coach Powell Williams … Helped the Warriors capture the 2008 North Carolina Southwest Conference title … Has tallied 72 points on 22 goals and 28 assists during her prep career.

CLUB: Plays club soccer for the Charlotte Soccer Academy’s ’92 Predator squad … Led squad to 2009 North Carolina State Cup finals appearance … Member of the North Carolina ODP state selection pool in 2008.

Cairney on Costa: “Nicole is a smooth and skillful central player. She fits in very well in the area just behind our front runners. She plays the simple pass and is very comfortable with the ball at her feet. She can create very well with her well-timed passes.”

Stephanie Costelloe

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned All-League selection as a senior … Served as captain of coach Elizabeth Finn’s squad during her senior season.

CLUB/ODP: Member of the Rockville Centre Tornadoes … Led squad to 2008 Region I championship and State Cup Runner-up finish … Four-year member of Eastern N.Y. ODP team … Guided ODP program to two semifinals and one finalist appearance in Region I Ryder Cup.

Cairney on Costelloe: “Stephanie can play a variety of positions. She has played as a wide midfielder, a wide back and as a central defender. She possesses great athleticism and is good in the air. She will be in a position to compete in different areas of the field.”

Madyson Marshburn

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year member of the varsity program at John T. Hoggard under Coach John Teller.

CLUB: Plays for Coach Pete Sadin on the Triangle Futbol Club … Led squad U-20 Super Y-League National Championship and NCYSA State Championship in 2008 … Also guided squad to Super Y League South Atlantic Seasonal Championship … Seven-year member of North Carolina ODP program … Participated in four ODP Regional Camps … Teammate of fellow incoming freshman Emily Burchette.

Cairney on Marshburn: “Maddy has the skill and tactical awareness to play in our center of midfield. She was a member of the Triangle Futbol Club team with fellow incoming freshman Emily Burchette that won the 2008 North Carolina State Championship. She is also a very tough competitor. She likes to attack; and, can both create and score from the midfield. She is also very comfortable sitting in behind the ball to play as a defensive midfielder.”

Natalie Winslow

HIGH SCHOOL: Has led Ralph L. Fike to three straight NCHSAA Class 3A State Tournament appearances … Has guided coach Toni Varacchi’s Golden Demons squad to three straight New 6 Conference titles and unblemished 36-0 mark in league play … Three-time All-New 6 Conference selection … Two-time All-Region pick … Has started all 73 games played during her prep career and tallied 30 points on eight goals and 14 assists … Has also helped squad record 42 shutouts in the past three seasons … Was also a member of the volleyball and indoor track programs, earning All-Conference honors twice in volleyball.

CLUB: Plays for the Carolina Soccer Club and coach Godfrey Miller … Led team to a runner-up finish in the 2009 Orange Classic … Also spent four seasons with the Wilson Youth Soccer Association, leading squad to 2008 State and Regional Championships and runner-up finish national in the Director’s Cup … Two-year member of state ODP program.

Cairney on Winslow: “We have seen Natalie play in a variety of positions on the field. Whatever position she plays, she brings the same qualities. She is aggressive, hard-tackling and will run all day long. In addition, her service from wide areas and from set-pieces is very dangerous. “

-Courtesy UNCW