MORGANTOWN — Bianca Cuevas-Moore had a change of heart and the women’s basketball point guard will return to the University of South Carolina.
Cuevas-Moore signed with WVU on April 11 and it was expected she would join the team as a graduate transfer with one season of eligibility remaining. Instead, she withdrew from summer classes at WVU and South Carolina announced Monday she would return to the that school.
“Bianca and I have had our ups and downs, but my love for her has never wavered,” USC head coach Dawn Staley said in a statement. “She is a fan favorite and a favorite of mine and her return to our program is a reflection of her love for South Carolina, her teammates and her coaches. I am excited that I get to coach her for another season, and I know that Gamecock Nation is equally excited to see her back in action at Colonial Life Arena.”
Cuevas-Moore was a McDonald’s All-American, in 2014, and a starter for the Gamecocks’ 2017 national championship team, but missed last season with a left knee injury.
She averaged 6.9 points in 109 career games at South Carolina.
Men’s soccer
Former WVU All-American goalkeeper Nick Noble will return to WVU as an assistant coach, head coach Marlon LeBlanc announced Monday.
Noble, a first-team All-American, in 2006, who set numerous school records as a Mountaineer, joins the WVU coaching staff following an 11-year pro career.
As a four-year starter in goal from 2003-’06, Noble set a total of 17 career or single-season program records.
“I am very excited that we’ve been able to bring Nick home to WVU,” LeBlanc said. “Having a coach of Nick’s quality and experience is exactly what our young goalkeepers need, and I’m confident he’s going to have an immediate impact on their development both on and off the field.”
“It is a great pleasure to come back to a program, school and town that I hold close to my heart,” Noble said. “Thank you to WVU for giving me this opportunity. I am excited to get started and work towards winning a national championship in 2018.”
A Damascus, Maryland, native, Noble’s professional career began in Major League Soccer as a first-round pick in the supplemental draft by the Chicago Fire, in 2007. He spent the 2009 season with the Austin Aztex of the United Soccer League before playing in 59 matches from 2010-’11 for Swedish Superettan team Ljungskile SK.
In 2012, Noble signed with the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy and the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL. He played in 122 career matches with the Islanders from 2012-17 and was named the 2012 USL Goalkeeper of the Year as well as an All-League Second Team honoree in 2013.
In an illustrious Mountaineer career, Noble was named a first-team National Soccer Coaches Association All-American and a second-team All-American by College Soccer News as a senior. He also added Big East Goalkeeper of the Year accolades. In his career, he also was a two-time All-Big East honoree.
