High Point University Women’s Soccer Announces 2013 Recruiting Class

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University women’s soccer head coach Marty Beall announced the addition of six new players to the program on Wednesday. The class is comprised of one forward, three midfielders and two defenders and will join the defending Big South Regular Season Champions for the upcoming 2013 season.

The six players that will make up HPU’s 2013 class are Meghan Beidleman (Hopkinton, Mass.), Jill Davis (Sanford, N.C.), Kai-Lin Hernandez (Homestead, Fla.), Jenny Marshall (Ijamsville, Md.), Kelley Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) and Taylor Thompson (Florence, S.C.)

“This 2013 class will make an immediate impact on our program.” Beall said. “Each player brings something different and each player will make us stronger. They are not only excellent soccer players, but also fantastic people. They will be great ambassadors for High Point University and our women’s soccer program. HPU women’s soccer just took another step forward and we couldn’t be more thrilled that these young ladies have decided to join our family!”

Beidleman, a midfielder from Hopkinton High School, scored 18 goals during her senior season and averaged 17 goals per season in her prep career. She is a three-time All-Tri-Valley League selection and was named second-team All-Eastern Massachusetts in her senior season. Beidleman plays her club soccer with NEFC who she helped lead to a State Cup Championship in 2012.

“I chose High Point University because of the opportunities it provides both athletically and academically,” Beidleman said. “The coaching staff and girls were amazing and so nice when I went for my visit and attended their ID clinic. The campus is absolutely amazing and I wouldn’t be able to find another one as beautiful as HPU.”

Davis, a defender from Lee County High School, is a three-time All-Region selection and a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree. She plays her club soccer with Triangle United.

“From the first time I met the coaching staff and the girls on the team I knew that I wanted to play soccer at High Point University,” Davis said. “The overall family atmosphere of the group made me want to be a part of it. I knew this be a great place to not only play soccer but also get a great education, become a better person and set a strong foundation for the rest of my life.”

Hernandez, a midfielder from Gulliver Preparatory School, has nine goals and 18 assists in two seasons and has led her team to the state championship this season. She was named second-team All-Miami-Dade following her junior season. Hernandez was a member of the Florida State ODP team from 2009-12 and was a member of the Region III ODP team in 2012. She was also a US Soccer Training Center participant in 2012. Hernandez plays her club soccer with Weston FC.

“I chose High Point University because I feel that the school will offer me everything that I could need for a complete college experience,” Hernandez said. “The smaller classes will help me academically and the soccer program is definitely one that will help me grow as a person and a soccer player.”

Marshall, a forward from Urbana High School, holds her schools’ all-time assist record with 33 in four seasons. She finished her prep career with 97 points on 32 goals and 33 assists. Marshall was the conference Player of the Year and a member of the NSCAA All-Region team as a junior. She is a two-time All-State selection and a four-time All-Region selection. Marshall plays her club soccer with FC Frederick and has helped lead the team to two State Cup Finals appearances in the last three seasons.

“I knew High Point University was the perfect place for me when, despite the new stitches on my face, I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time I was on the gorgeous campus,” Marshall said. “The players and the coaching staff were so welcoming and they really made me feel like I was part of a family. The atmosphere of unity combined with excellence was unlike any other college I visited. This was exactly what I was looking for.”

Smith, a midfielder from Norfolk Academy, has 25 goals and 15 assists in her prep career through her junior season. She was an All-State selection as a junior in 2012 and was a two-time All-Conference selection. Smith plays her club soccer with Beach FC. She has been a member of the Virginia State ODP Team since 2008 and was chosen to take an ODP International trip in 2009.

“How could I not choose High Point University? From the phenomenal and caring coaches and the remarkable experience I had with the players to the great expanding academic opportunities and incredible campus, there is no college out there that is quite like High Point University,” Smith said. “One of the main reasons I chose High Point was the coaching I received during the summer soccer camp. Coach Beall and Coach Fontaine recognized my strengths and weaknesses, approached the game of soccer with an intense and passionate coaching style and emphasized a style of play that will be incredibly fun to play. Honestly, the fact is that I cannot imagine myself anywhere else and I can hardly wait for my freshman year to begin.”

Thompson, a defender from West Florence High School, holds her school record for goals in a season with 46 as a junior in 2012. She was named the Team MVP and an All-Region selection following her record-setting junior season. Thompson plays her club soccer with South Carolina United. She has won four South Carolina State Championships with SCUFC in the past five seasons.

“I chose to play soccer at High Point University because as soon as I saw the school for the first time I couldn’t imagine myself playing anywhere else,” Thompson said. “Since I was little I have always dreamed of becoming not only the best soccer player but all-around person that I can be. By being a student-athlete at HPU, I believe I will become the soccer player and person that I have always dreamed of being.”

High Point returns eight starters from the team that won the program’s first outright Big South Regular Season Championship in 2012. The Panthers will bring back five All-Conference honorees in first-team members Becca Hemby and Taylor Parker and second-team members Jacky Kessler, Alise LeCompte and Sammy Vercellino.