Lions Add Three to 2013 Recruiting Class

MARS HILL, N.C.- The Mars Hill women's soccer team has added three new members to its 2013 recruiting class, the team announced Thursday.

Meredith Cottrell (Mooresville, N.C.), Hannah Stapleton (Concord, N.C.) and Megan Stabile (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) have all signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Lions' program this fall. These three student-athletes join Abigail Mills (Ross, Ohio), Maslyn Greene (Dallas, Ga.), Morgan Meyer (Roanoke, Va.), Murray Meyer (Roanoke, Va.), Samantha Lawson (Charlotte, N.C.) and Jordan Allen (Lynchburg, Va.) to make up Mars Hill's 2013 recruiting class.

Cottrell attended Mooresville High School and played club soccer for ICRD Revolution. A defender, Cottrell was a Jenna Fruccelli Work Ethic Award winner and a team captain. Cottrell plans to study and major in Athletic Training at Mars Hill.

"Meredith is a strong, tall central defender," said Mars Hill head coach Ken Miller. "Meredith is technically sound and will look to strengthen our back line. We are excited about Meredith's potential and ability to strengthen our defense."

Stapleton is a goalkeeper who attended Covenant Classical School and played club soccer for CSA North. She was named the MVP of her high school team. Stapleton plans to study Graphic Design or Biology at Mars Hill.

"Hannah is a quality goalkeeper with great size and strength," commented Miller. "She is a good shot-stopper and has a good command of her goal area. We are excited about Hannah's potential and we look forward to continuing her growth and development as a keeper. Hannah adds to a young and very solid goalkeeping core."

Stabile is a midfielder who attended Steamboat Springs High School and played for Steamboat Springs FC. Stabile was a four-year starter for her high school team. She led the team in scoring during the 2012 season and was named first-team all-conference. Stabile plans to study at Athletic Training at Mars Hill.

"Megan is a shifty and fast center-mid who can also play as a forward or winger," stated Miller. "She has good technical skill and good awareness on the ball. Megan has good vision and likes to run at players. She is always supporting play and looking to distribute. She will look to compete for playing time as a center-mid and winger."

Mars Hill will open its season Sep. 7 at Mount Olive. The Lions home-opener will be Sep. 21 against South Atlantic Conference-foe Tusculum.