February 6, 2009
Furman Women’s Soccer Signs Five To National Letters Of Intent
Greenville, S.C. -- The Furman University women’s soccer team inked five prep standouts to national letters of intent this week, it was announced by Paladin head coach Andrew Burr.
Cat Catan (Atlanta, Ga.), Liz Derrick (Atlanta, Ga.), Claire Hodge (Spartanburg, S.C.), Jenny NeSmith (Atlanta, Ga.) and Paige Pickert (Duluth, Ga.) are projected to graduate this spring and enroll at Furman for the 2009 season.
“We think all five players will come in and make an immediate impact on our program,” said Burr. “They appreciate the balance between academics and athletics at Furman and will represent our program and Furman University very well both on and off the field.”
The signing class features three players (Catan, Derrick and NeSmith) from the Tophat ‘09 Gold club team that claimed the 2008 Region III Premier League title with an 11-0-0 record. Catan scored four goals in the league
while Derrick provides a speedy option at outside midfield and NeSmith is an athletic, proven ball-winner in the back. Pickert, a midfielder, ranks as Wesleyan High School’s all-time single-season leader in assists and
Hodge garnered back-to-back South Carolina High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State citations.
The 2009 Paladins return nine starters from last season’s squad that finished 14-6-2 and advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament.
2009 Signing Class
Player, Position - Hometown - High School / Club
Cat Catan, F - Atlanta, Ga. - The Westminster Schools / Tophat ‘09 Gold
Liz Derrick, MF - Atlanta, Ga. - The Lovett School / Tophat ‘09 Gold
Claire Hodge, D - Spartanburg, S.C. - Spartanburg High School / CESA Premier
Jenny NeSmith, D/MF - Atlanta, Ga. - The Westminster Schools / Tophat ‘09 Gold
Paige Pickert, MF - Duluth, Ga. - Wesleyan High School / Norcross Soccer
Cat Catan
5-4, Forward
Atlanta, Ga.
Played for head coach Clark Meyer at The Westminster Schools ... Helped her team to a state title as a freshman, state runner-up finish as a sophomore and quarterfinal showing in 2008 ... Led her team in scoring and ranked as
second leading scorer on state championship squad as a freshman ... Helped her club team, Tophat ‘09 Gold, to a pair of state championships and the 2008-09 Region III Premier League title alongside fellow Furman signees
Jenny NeSmith and Liz Derrick ... Scored four goals and added four assists as Tophat posted an 11-0-0 record in the Region III Premier League ... Three-year member of the Georgia State ODP squad.
Liz Derrick
5-5, Midfielder
Atlanta, Ga.
Prepped for head coach Tony Patino at The Lovett School ... Guided her team to a AA state runner-up finish in 2008 after reaching the state semifinals in 2007 and quarterfinals in 2006 ... Played club soccer for Tophat ‘09
Gold along with fellow Furman signees Cat Catan and Jenny NeSmith ... helped Tophat capture the 2006 and 2007 Georgia State championships, reach the state finals in 2008 and advance to four consecutive region tournaments ... Captured the Region III Premier League title with a perfect 11-0-0 record in 2008.
Claire Hodge
5-7, Defender
Spartanburg, S.C.
Played three seasons at center midfield for head coach Paul McGinty at Spartanburg High School ... A three-time all-state, all-region, all-area and all-academic selection while playing every minute of every game since the beginning of her freshman year ... Team captain ... Guided the Vikings to three straight AAAA state playoff appearances ... Played club soccer for the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy and coach Andrew Hyslop ... Helped CESA to consecutive state titles ... Four-year member of the South Carolina ODP squad.
Jenny NeSmith
5-4, Defender/Midfielder
Atlanta, Ga.
High school teammate of fellow Furman signee Cat Catan at The Westminster Schools ... Prep coach was Clark Meyer ... Will serve as team captain for 2009 ... Part of Westminster’s 2006 state championship team and 2007 state
runner-up squad ... Along with Cat Catan and Jenny NeSmith, helped Tophat ‘09 Gold to the 2008 Region III Premier LEague title and a perfect 11-0-0 record ... Claimed back-to-back Georgia State championships and helped guide Tophat to four straight region tournament appearances.
Paige Pickert
5-4, Midfielder
Duluth, Ga.
Played for coach Lacy Gilbert at Wesleyan High School... Led Gwinnett County and set a school record with 27 asissts as a junior in 2008 ... Earned GHSA Player of the Month honors while also earning 2007 and 2008 all-country accolades ... Played club soccer for coach Tony Anon and Norcross Soccer ... A member of the Georgia State ODP program and attended Region III ODP camp in 2007.
