HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College head women’s soccer coach Bethany Grass is pleased to announce the addition of  seven new players for the 2010-11 season. Coach Grass and the Lady Cobras will be looking to bounce back after a rough season in 2009 and these seven new faces will vital pieces of the puzzle.

Six of the seven players will not have to travel awfully far from home to join the Coker women, with six players from South Carolina and one player from Florida.

Shakenia Johnson is a forward from Columbia, S.C. and according to Grass, “Shakenia brings some much needed quickness to the offense.”

Joining the team are a pair of defenders, Shelby Johnson from Sumter, S.C. and Devan Williams from Seneca, S.C.  Grass said, “Both Shelby and Devan will add some aggressiveness and depth to our defense this year.”

A trio of midfielder/forwards in Rachel Solomon from Bluffton, S.C., Emily Morrow from Columbia, S.C. and Melanie McGrath from Marion, S.C. all come to Coker having been standout players at their respective high schools. When asked her thoughts on these players Grass had this to say, “Solomon has her eyes on scoring, but can help out anywhere on the field. Morrow has an intensity and aggressiveness that allows her to penetrate the defense and McGrath has a good eye for the field and precise distribution.”

And last but not least is Brittany Martin from New Port Richey, Fla. Martin is a goalkeeper, but an ACL injury will force her to have to sit out this first year, but according to Grass, “She will be an integral part of the 2011 season.”

Grass and the Lady Cobras will take to the field in their first match of the season on Saturday, Sept. 4 when they travel to Central, S.C. to take on Southern Wesleyan University at 7:00 p.m. With the return of some fine tuned veterans and a solid crop of incoming freshman the Coker women are poised for a successful year.