ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia soccer team bolstered its roster with the addition of three transfer student-athletes for the 2024 season, as announced by head coach Keidane McAlpine Thursday afternoon.
Graduate midfielder Amber Nguyen, rising junior defender Maddie Baker, and rising sophomore defender Tyler Kaseta have joined the defending SEC Tournament champion Bulldogs for the spring exhibition season.
The trio was joined by freshman midfielder Anna Castenfelt, who enrolled early at Georgia. Castenfelt’s fellow signees, goalkeeper Nicole Bidun and forward Cayla Jackson, will join the program for the regular season this fall.
Amber Nguyen | Midfielder | Vanderbilt | Snellville, Ga.
Nguyen joins Georgia as a graduate transfer after four seasons at Vanderbilt, where she appeared in 66 matches with 47 starts, including all 18 matches this past season. During her career with the Commodores, Nguyen scored five goals and assisted on 11, while racking up 55 shots with 26 on frame. In her 2023 senior season, she scored once with two assists while ranking third on the team with 1,435 field minutes. The Snellville native played for Tophat DA, earning USSF Girl’s DA Best Midfielder honors in 2019 and being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Team three times from 2018-20. She was also selected to attend the USWNT U-20, U-18, and U-16 Team camps. Nguyen graduated in December from Vanderbilt with a bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Health, and Society, with a concentration in Policy and economics. She will be pursuing a master’s in Education Administration at Georgia.
Maddie Baker | Defender | Vanderbilt | Mission Viejo, Calif.
Baker joins Georgia after playing two seasons at Vanderbilt, where she appeared in 30 matches with 10 starts, including nine last season. During her time with Commodores, Baker scored three goals and attempted seven shots, with four on frame. The Mission Viejo, California native, played for Slammers HB Koge and Santa Margarita Catholic High School. She helped lead Slammers to consecutive ECNL finals appearances in 2021 and 2022, earning ECNL First Team All-Conference honors in 2021. She was also named a National Finalist and Girls DA Preview Season standout, along with earning an invitation to the USWNT U18-19 Virtual Camp.
Tyler Kaseta | Defender | Xavier | Atlanta, Ga.
Kaseta joins Georgia after playing her freshman season at Xavier, where she appeared in 12 matches. During her time with the Musketeers, she scored one goal on her lone shot attempt of the season, while racking up 151 minutes. The Marietta native played for Concorde Fire Platinum 04/05 ECNL and Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. She helped lead Concorde to the 2022 ECNL national championship and won consecutive Southeast Region championships from 2018 through 2023. For Blessed Trinity, she was named to the Georgia All-State and All-Region Team, as well as serving as captain of the team. She was honored with Team MVP and Most Defensive Player honors.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/2/1226030/womens-college-soccer-uga-adds-three-transfers-for-2024-season