University of Georgia Athletics
Soccer Inks Four On National Signing Day
February 04, 2016 | Soccer
Watch the above video: A Signing Day Interview with Soccer Head Coach Billy Lesesne
2016 Soccer Signing Day Packet 
ATHENS, Ga.--University of Georgia head soccer coach Billy Lesesne announced the addition of four new student-athletes Thursday morning.
The four players added in 2016 bring a new level of depth with each playing a different position. Goalkeeper Jessie Harvey and defender Erin Ratchick bolster the Bulldog's defensive efforts while forward Katie MacGinnitie and midfielder Daria Stan offer their talents to Georgia's offense.
"We're very excited about this group," coach Lesesne said. "They are hard working and a talented group that have the right priorities in order. I think they are going to work hard and raise the level of our team. Hopefully they can adjust quickly to the college game and give us time on the field. We want every position to be a battle and we want to push and challenge each other to make our team stronger. I think this class has the right mental and athletic attributes to succeed. We're excited to get things started."
Three of UGA's four signees hail from the state of Georgia. Katie MacGinnitie, of Atlanta, and Erin Ratchick, of Marietta, both played their high school and club soccer in the Atlanta area. Daria Stan, who is originally from Romania, comes from Augusta, Georgia, but played part of her club career for Tophat soccer Club in Atlanta. The Bulldog's lone out of state commit, Jessie Harvey, comes from Franklin, Tennessee, where she played both her high school and club soccer.
Georgia lost six seniors to this year's graduating class including Bella Hartley and Emma Sonnett, who played over 1,000 minutes of action apiece last season.
The Bulldogs return plenty of experience next season with 13 different players returning who started multiple games this year. Among those are All-SEC performers Caroline Waters and Sydney Shultis and leading goal-scorer Marion Crowder.
UGA kicks off the 2016 spring season with an away match against Georgia State March 1 at 7 p.m. ET. Check out georgiadogs.com for schedule and results postings of the 2016 spring season.
