Feb. 7, 2007

MEMPHIS - The Memphis women's soccer team inked a pair of local products along with one Knoxville native to start off its 2007 signing class.

Memphis' Aly Hancock of St. Agnes and Ashley Berra of Cordova High School along with Laurel Shute of West High School in Knoxville all signed letters of intent to play for the Tigers on Wednesday.

"We're extremely excited to be adding these three girls to our team," said Memphis coach Brooks Monaghan. "We felt that these were three of the most talented players to come out of Tennessee this year, and we were fortunate to get them."

In 2006, Hancock helped St. Agnes Academy to a 23-0 record and the Division II State Championship. Playing primarily at defender, she led a St. Agnes defense that surrendered only two goals all season. Hancock was named to the Tennessee All-State Team and the Commercial Appeal's Best of Preps in 2006.

While she is expected to start out as a defender at Memphis, the Tiger coaching staff feels that her athleticism could make her a valuable asset on the offensive end.

"Aly is a tremendous athlete," said Monaghan. "She provides a lot of speed in the back but is also capable of playing outside forward."

Berra, a product of Cordova High School, was one of the top strikers in the Memphis area, having recorded 48 goals and 18 assists in one season alone. Berra was also named to the Commercial Appeal's Best of Preps in addition to being an All-State selection.

"Ashley has tremendous speed and a knack for the goal," said Monaghan. "We look for her to come in and compete up top for us right away."

The Memphis coaching staff got a great look at both Hancock and Berra as both girls played club ball on Memphis assistant coach Jodi Grant's Memphis Mercury squad. Both were also members of the Tennessee Olympic Development Program Team.

Shute, a midfielder, was a two-year starter at West High School in Knoxville. After being inured for much of 2006, she scored the game-winning goal in West's District Championship win over Oak Ridge. She was named first-team All-District and All-Region. Shute was also a member of two State Champion club and the Tennessee Olympic Development Team.

"Laurel is a very technical player, who is also very versatile," Monaghan said. "She has very good field awareness and should add depth at the midfield or in the back."

Check back each day this week for information on all of the signees in the 2007 Memphis women's soccer class.