South Carolina signs six new Gamecocks from up and down the East Coast

COLUMBIA, SC – Six new Gamecocks will be joining the South Carolina women’s soccer program, as announced by head coach Shelley Smith.

South Carolina (ranked No. 7 in SoccerWire’s Best 50 Programs) just finished the 2023 season with another strong showing, as the Gamecocks advanced to the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.

See below for a look at each member of South Carolina’s incoming Class of 2024:

: Avery Galante

: Jyvanna Harris

: Madden McDonald

: Katie Shea Collins

: Kylie Cino

: Camryn Szotak

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Kylie Cino – Mount Pleasant, SC – CESA – Wando High School

Four year varsity player and two-time captain at Wando
Holds school record for 102 goals and 99 assists
Three-time State Champion
Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee
2023 South Carolina High School Player of the Year, Coaches Player of the Year
2023 USA Today Top-50 High School Players
2023 Post and Courier Player of the Year

WHY SHE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA: “I chose to continue my athletic and academic career at USC because the women’s soccer program continues to prove itself as a top program in the country year after year. The positive culture that coach Shelley, Jamie and Marnie have created as well as the strong academics also influenced my decision.”

Katie Shea Collins – Gallatin, TN – Tennessee SC – Pope John Paul II Prep HS

Holds school record for career goals (106) and goals in a season (44)
2023 and 2022 All-Summer County MVP
2023 Tennessean’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year Nominee
2023 High School All-American
2022 All-State First Team
2020-2023 All-Region Team
United Soccer Coaches High School Girls South Region Team
ECNL U18/19 Ohio Valley Conference First Team
2022 ENCL Ohio Valley Conference Central Player of the Year
2022 ENCL All-American

WHY SHE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA: “I chose USC because the team atmosphere was unmatched and I know that they’re going to push me to be not only the best player, but also the best person I can be.”

Avery Galante – Sterling, MA – FC Stars – Worcester Academy

Five-year varsity letter winner for soccer at Worcester Academy
2023 High School Soccer All-American East Team
Worcester Academy Girls Varsity Socer Captain
2022 NEPSAC’s All-New England
2022 NEPSAC’s Class A Quarterfinalist
2022 All-NEPSAC
2021 U16 Girls New England Conference Player of the Year

WHY SHE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA: “I chose USC because of the amazing academic and athletic opportunities it has to offer. The players and coaching staff make you feel at home and welcomed and I can’t wait to join the women’s soccer family!”

Jyvanna Harris – Hazlet, NJ – PDA – Red Bank Catholic High School

First Team All-Division freshman & sophomore year at Red Bank Catholic
First Team All-Shore freshman & sophomore year
2021 Second Team All-State Non-Public
2020 First Team All-State Non-Public
U13 ECNL Champion with PDA Wolves
PDA Wolves team captain
Selected for USWNT U19 Pool
Older sister Jyllissa played for Gamecocks, drafted in the second round to Houston Dash

WHY SHE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA: “I chose USC because of how at home it made me feel. The environment of the campus and people are so vibrant and fun. I also chose USC because of the competitive soccer and the atmosphere of the team. It feels like a true family and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Madden McDonald – Columbia, SC – IMG Academy

Played both soccer and competed in track at IMG
Holds 4 by 100, 4 by 200, and 4 by 400 school record
Played for South Carolina United
Honors student at IMG with 3.5 GPA

WHY SHE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA: “I chose USC because I loved the environment created by the coaches, players, and staff. It’s my dream school.”

Camryn Szotak – Middletown, NJ – PDA – Middletown High School

Team captain at Middletown
Shore Conference Tournament Champion (first in school history)
New Jersey Sectional State Champion
Two-tie State Sectional finalist
Multiple Shore Conference All-Division, All-Conference and All-State awards
Five-time North Atlantic ECNL Conference Champions
2019 ECNL National Champion
Three-time ECNL National Final 8

WHY SHE CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA: “I chose USC because, from the moment I first visited, I loved the team culture, environment, the coaches, and the high level of soccer. I can’t wait to experience the great atmosphere of South Carolina, and to call it my new home.”