Photo by: Catherine Harney
Sophomore Newcomers Add Experience to Spartan Roster Ahead of 2026 Season
7/10/2026 6:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
USC Upstate women's soccer has added a talented group of sophomore newcomers capable of making an immediate impact throughout the field during the 2026 season.
The newcomers feature Giulia Altomare, Gianna Kincaid, Rosalyn Wisniew-Colwell, Caroline Atwill, Jaimaris Diaz and Kylie White. Collectively, the group gives head coach Sam Odell a combination of collegiate experience, technical quality and positional versatility.
"As a staff, we sat down and closely evaluated our needs as a program and the types of players we needed to compete in the Big South from day one," Odell said. "We feel really good about where we are heading into this season."
Giulia Altomare joined the Spartans during the spring semester after transferring from Grambling. The Canadian native, who also spent part of her youth career playing in Spain, can operate as an attacking midfielder or forward. Altomare brings an international flair to the attack, along with an eye for goal and the ability to unlock defenses around the penalty area.
"Giulia has little intricacies within her game that can make a difference in the final third," Odell said. "She sees the game well, can create opportunities and has a really good eye for goal."
Gianna Kincaid comes to Upstate from IU Indy and will strengthen the Spartans at outside back. Kincaid is a strong one-on-one defender who uses her athleticism to contain opposing attackers.
"Gianna is very good defensively in one-on-one situations," Odell said. "She has the athleticism to shut down attackers, but she can also get forward and deliver a quality ball into the box."
Rosalyn Wisniew-Colwell joins the program from Grand Canyon and can contribute as either an attacking or defensive midfielder. She combines a relentless engine and physical presence with strong on-ball ability, allowing her to connect Upstate's defensive and attacking units while also winning midfield duels.
"Rosalyn can influence the game in a lot of different ways," Odell said. "She can dominate moments with her physicality, but she also has the quality to link the game and help us move from defense into attack."
Caroline Atwill, a transfer from Eastern Kentucky, can play multiple positions. Atwill is an extremely versatile player and brings speed, one-on-one ability, and quality in possession. Her tenacity and work ethic further increase the number of ways she can contribute.
"Caroline gives us so many options because of her versatility," Odell said. "She has good speed, she is comfortable on the ball and she approaches everything with a tremendous work rate."
Jaimaris Diaz is a creative attacking player who can operate on the wing or throughout the midfield. Diaz possesses a dangerous left foot and can influence matches with her passing, shooting and crossing. Her ability to identify and complete difficult passes should help the Spartans create opportunities in the attacking third.
"Jaimaris can help us connect the game in attacking moments," Odell said. "She can find a difficult pass, strike the ball well and influence games with both goals and assists."
Kylie White arrives from Western Carolina as a highly technical attacker capable of playing as a No. 10 or on the wing. White is a graceful and elusive one-on-one player who brings creativity and excitement whenever she receives the ball.
"Kylie is a very tricky and technical player," Odell said. "When she gets on the ball, you feel like something is going to happen. She has the ability to create a moment on her own."
While integrating a large group of newcomers will require patience, Odell believes the Spartans are building a style of play capable of producing long-term success.
"We know this style of soccer can be really successful, but we also understand there will be bumps along the way," Odell said. "We embrace those opportunities for growth. We want to develop a team that can relish difficult moments and turn them into success."
USC Upstate begins the 2026 season Sunday, Aug. 16, with a road contest against the College of Charleston. The Spartans host Davidson in their home opener Thursday, Aug. 20.
Â
The newcomers feature Giulia Altomare, Gianna Kincaid, Rosalyn Wisniew-Colwell, Caroline Atwill, Jaimaris Diaz and Kylie White. Collectively, the group gives head coach Sam Odell a combination of collegiate experience, technical quality and positional versatility.
"As a staff, we sat down and closely evaluated our needs as a program and the types of players we needed to compete in the Big South from day one," Odell said. "We feel really good about where we are heading into this season."
Giulia Altomare joined the Spartans during the spring semester after transferring from Grambling. The Canadian native, who also spent part of her youth career playing in Spain, can operate as an attacking midfielder or forward. Altomare brings an international flair to the attack, along with an eye for goal and the ability to unlock defenses around the penalty area.
"Giulia has little intricacies within her game that can make a difference in the final third," Odell said. "She sees the game well, can create opportunities and has a really good eye for goal."
Gianna Kincaid comes to Upstate from IU Indy and will strengthen the Spartans at outside back. Kincaid is a strong one-on-one defender who uses her athleticism to contain opposing attackers.
"Gianna is very good defensively in one-on-one situations," Odell said. "She has the athleticism to shut down attackers, but she can also get forward and deliver a quality ball into the box."
Rosalyn Wisniew-Colwell joins the program from Grand Canyon and can contribute as either an attacking or defensive midfielder. She combines a relentless engine and physical presence with strong on-ball ability, allowing her to connect Upstate's defensive and attacking units while also winning midfield duels.
"Rosalyn can influence the game in a lot of different ways," Odell said. "She can dominate moments with her physicality, but she also has the quality to link the game and help us move from defense into attack."
Caroline Atwill, a transfer from Eastern Kentucky, can play multiple positions. Atwill is an extremely versatile player and brings speed, one-on-one ability, and quality in possession. Her tenacity and work ethic further increase the number of ways she can contribute.
"Caroline gives us so many options because of her versatility," Odell said. "She has good speed, she is comfortable on the ball and she approaches everything with a tremendous work rate."
Jaimaris Diaz is a creative attacking player who can operate on the wing or throughout the midfield. Diaz possesses a dangerous left foot and can influence matches with her passing, shooting and crossing. Her ability to identify and complete difficult passes should help the Spartans create opportunities in the attacking third.
"Jaimaris can help us connect the game in attacking moments," Odell said. "She can find a difficult pass, strike the ball well and influence games with both goals and assists."
Kylie White arrives from Western Carolina as a highly technical attacker capable of playing as a No. 10 or on the wing. White is a graceful and elusive one-on-one player who brings creativity and excitement whenever she receives the ball.
"Kylie is a very tricky and technical player," Odell said. "When she gets on the ball, you feel like something is going to happen. She has the ability to create a moment on her own."
While integrating a large group of newcomers will require patience, Odell believes the Spartans are building a style of play capable of producing long-term success.
"We know this style of soccer can be really successful, but we also understand there will be bumps along the way," Odell said. "We embrace those opportunities for growth. We want to develop a team that can relish difficult moments and turn them into success."
USC Upstate begins the 2026 season Sunday, Aug. 16, with a road contest against the College of Charleston. The Spartans host Davidson in their home opener Thursday, Aug. 20.
Â
Players Mentioned
MID
/ Women's SoccerMID
/ Women's SoccerMID
/ Women's SoccerDEF
/ Women's SoccerFWD
/ Women's SoccerMID
/ Women's Soccer No videos available.
