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               Pos.     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