FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – University of Montevallo women’s soccer coach Jeremy Hampton welcomes five signees in his first recruiting class at the school.

The Falcons have received a National Letter-of-Intent from Kourtnee Hayward, Abbey West, Michaela Graber, Tatum Harless and Hannah McCarty.

Hayward will join Montevallo as a freshman after graduating from Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala. this spring. Hayward, a midfielder, also played club soccer with Legends Soccer Club.

Hayward was named to the Alabama High School Athletic Association North All-Star team last summer.

“Kourtnee is a tall, fast and athletic,” Hampton said. “She will fit in well in the Peach Belt Conference.”

West will join the Falcons as a freshman after graduating from Southside High School in Gadsden, Ala. this spring. West, a forward/midfielder, also played club soccer with Vestavia Soccer Club.

“Abbey is extremely quick and very good on the ball,” Hampton said. “She is a hard worker up top.”

Graber will join Montevallo as a freshman after graduating from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala. this spring. Graber, a forward, also played club soccer with Legends Soccer Club.

Graber was named to the Alabama High School Athletic Association North All-Star team last summer.

“Michaela is a very fast, long and athletic forward,” Hampton said. “She is capable of brilliant runs with the ball at her feet.”

Tatum will join the Falcons as a freshman after graduating from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala. this spring. Tatum, a midfielder, also played club soccer with Birmingham United Soccer Association.

“Tatum is a very physical player,” Hampton said. “She will fit in extremely well in the Peach Belt Conference.”

McCarty will enroll at Montevallo as a junior after spending two years at Pearl River Community College in Hattiesburg, Miss.

McCarty graduated from Tupelo High School in Tupelo, Miss. in the spring of 2011. McCarty, a goalkeeper, was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region 23 team following her sophomore season at Pearl River.

“Hannah is very athletic and has great hands,” Hampton said. “She has very good field awareness.”

The Falcons will open the 2013 season with an exhibition contest Aug. 22 against Judson College. Montevallo will face Wingate University in Morrow, Ga. in its season-opening match Sept. 5.