GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Carolina Elite Cobras are back at home this week with two matches, playing VSI Tampa Bay for the third time in a week on Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay and the Cobras split a doubleheader this past weekend in Florida.

Cobras Head Coach Sandy Burris says her team has continued to gain more experience with each game it has played.

“We have continued to get better each time we have stepped out onto the pitch,” Burris said. “It is hard to play three games against the same team in a week, but Tampa is a good team and George [Fotopoulos] is a great coach so we will be ready for another hard-fought match on Sunday.”

The Cobras will also play the Charlotte Eagles for the first time this season on Wednesday. Burris says she is looking forward to playing the Eagles and getting a chance to put some new players out onto the field.

“We are excited for our game Wednesday because it will be the Cobras debut for Furman player Steph Devita,” Burris said. “It will also mark the return of India Trotter, who has had to miss the past three games.” 
 

Both games will be played at MESA Soccer Complex. The Cobras take on VSI Tampa Bay at 2 p.m. on Sunday, and will play the Charlotte Eagles on Wednesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.

GREENVILLE, SC. – The Carolina Elite Cobras have a new name and a new home in Greenville after partnering with the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) during the offseason. President and Owner of the Cobras Ewell Gordon says the idea behind the team’s move from Columbia to Greenville came after discussing how to expose more people in South Carolina to a higher level of women’s soccer.

“While many things may seem to have changed, what the Cobras are about remains the same. We welcome players from across South Carolina, neighboring states and a few from even farther,” Gordon said. “It is about providing an opportunity for players to play without boundaries and making it a positive experience for everyone involved.”

Both the fans and Burris can see how their team does when the Cobras host the Silverbacks at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 12 at MESA Soccer Complex

Cobras Head Coach Sandy Burris (Far Right)

says her goal for the Cobras this season is to make the playoffs.

The Cobras have added new players like former

US National team player India Trotter to this year’s roster.

The Carolina Elite Cobras are excited to announce former U.S. Women’s National Team member and Florida State All-American, India Trotter,  has signed with the organization for the 2013 season. Trotter was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team from 2006-09, an alternate for the 2007 World Cup and 2008 Beijing Olympics squads. 

India is a great addition to the Cobras, said Coach Sandy Burris. "I am extremely happy she has decided to lace up her boots again. Her attitude and experience will add many positive aspects to this young team. She is a great player who has had the opportunity to coach at a high level, which will add a new dimension to her game." 

Trotter made a name for herself as a college player at Florida State. She was a four-year member of the Seminoles squad from 2003-06 and helped lead Florida State to tremendous success. She finished her Florida State career with 24 goals, 18 assists and 66 points. She was a semifinalist for the M.A.C. Herman Trophy award as the nation’s top collegiate soccer player, a finalist for the Honda Award, and a three-time first team All-ACC selection. After college she was drafted by the St. Louis Athletica, played for the New Jersey Sky,  Atlanta Beat, and Dalsjofors in the Elite Division in Sweden.  

Trotter is currently the assistant coach at the University of South Carolina Upstate and is on staff with the South Carolina ODP Program.

To Learn more about the Cobras and follow continuing developments, follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/CarolinaEliteCobras, and/or on Twitter @CE_Cobras

COLUMBIA, SC - The Carolina Elite Cobras have signed a trio of W-League veterans for the 2013 season. Elizabeth Metherell, Hannah Gmerek, and Rachel Baer will look to help lead the Cobras to the playoffs after a strong inaugural campaign in 2012 finishing third in the Southeast Division.

Metherell, a University of Georgia standout, was a four-year letter winner, an Academic All-American, and finished her career with 35 points including eight goals and 19 assists for the SEC power.

“We are happy that Elizabeth is making a return to competitive soccer," Cobras head coach Sandy Burris said. "She had a great career as a Bulldog at the University of Georgia and we are expecting nothing less when she steps on the field as a Cobra."

Gmerek joins the Cobras having starred on and off the field for the College of Charleston Lady Cougars. While in school, Gmerek racked up numerous honors including being named to the Southern Conference All-Conference team in both 2010 and 2011.

"Hannah is another SC native that has chosen to come home and play in front of her home crowd," stated Burris. "Last year when the Cobras played the Eagles, we saw first-hand the impact she has on the field. I also had a chance to watch her at the College of Charleston. Hannah will definitely add depth and stability to the back line."

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Rachel Baer played her collegiate soccer at Kennesaw State University. While at KSU, Baer proved herself a formidable player, leading the Owls in goal scoring, and leading the Atlantic Sun Conference in points, goals, shots, shots on goal and game winning goals for the 2008 season.

"Rachel has proven she has the ability to cause issues for opposing teams," Burris continued. "Playing against her when she was an Eagle was not easy. Being able to have her in a Cobras jersey excites me, especially with the attacking possibilities for our team."

The Cobras kick off the 2013 season hosting division rival and the 2012 W-League Champion Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday, May 12 at the MESA Soccer Complex. For tickets and to learn more about the Cobras Follow us on Facebook at:www.facebook.com/CarolinaEliteCobras and on Twitter @CE_Cobras.

Blakely Mattern, the Simpsonville, South Carolina native, agreed to sign with the Cobras organization. Mattern brings an exceptional level of soccer to the second year team that includes being drafted by the Atlanta Beat of the WPS,  playing for FC Twente in the Dutch top level league, the Eredivisie, as well as an impressive collegiate career at the University of South Carolina where she was a two-time All-American, the 2007 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and a four-time All-SEC selection.  

General Manager and Head Coach Sandy Burris, "I am extremely excited that Blakley has chosen to play with the Cobras. She will be a great asset to this young team. Her leadership qualities and her desire to be the best at training on and off the field will prove to be valuable to our team. She is well known in Columbia as a Gamecock and we hope she will make the same impact as a Cobra. I am sure there will be no shortage of fans in Greenville to watch their hometown product."

To follow continuing developments, announcements, and community activities for the team follow us on facebook at: www.facebook.com/CarolinaEliteCobras or on Twitter @CE_Cobras

The Cobras are preparing for their second season of competition led by General Manager and Head Coach, Sandy Burris. The team is set to return a strong nucleus of players from last year.

“We are excited about the 2013 season”, says Ewell Gordon, president and owner. “The entire organization and our partners have worked hard in the off-season to ensure success on and off the field in 2013 and beyond.”

Pending league approval, expected to return this year are Tabitha Padgett, a 2012 W-League All-Conference selection, and Claire Joyce, the 2012 leading scorer for the team.  Others from the organization’s inaugural season include goalkeeper Christina Reuter; defenders Sydney Strong, Meghan Wetzel, and Claire Wigfall-Brown; midfielders Debbie Smith, Christina Stern, Rebecca Nelson; and forwards Krystyna Freda, Taylor Parker, and Ashley Swinehart.

To Learn More about the Cobras and follow continuing developments, new player signings, and community activities for the team, follow the Cobras on facebook at: www.facebook.com/CarolinaEliteCobras and on Twitter @CE_Cobras

The Carolina Elite Cobras of the W-League announced the signing of 2012 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Stephanie DeVita, today.  DeVita, a native of Simpsonville, S.C. and a former Hillcrest High School standout, completed her freshman season at Furman University leading the SoCon in goals (19), total points (42) and game-winning goals (7) in 20 games.

She was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman Player of the Year and became only the fourth player in league history to earn both awards in the same season.  She ranked second in the nation in goals, third in game-winning goals, and led all freshman in Division I with 19 goals, scoring at least once in 16 of Furman’s 20 regular-season matches.

"Steph was my first big addition this season with the Cobras,” Cobras Head Coach, Sandy Burris, said. “She had a dream season in her freshman year as a Paladin at Furman. I can’t wait to get her in a training session with the Cobras and watch her work; we know she will do great things as a Cobra.”

To Learn More about the Cobras and follow continuing developments, player announcements, and community activities, follow the team on facebook at:www.facebook.com/CarolinaEliteCobras and on Twitter @CE_Cobras