Jan. 15, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Former Sweetwater High School soccer standout Melissa Morris has transferred to Carson-Newman coach Phillip McNamara announced Thursday.

Morris is enrolled at C-N for the spring semester following a successful freshman season at UNC-Charlotte.

"Melissa is a fantastic defender," McNamara said. "We're thrilled to add a player of her caliber. It speaks volumes that she wants to be a part of our program."

The Sweetwater, Tennessee-native saw action in 15 games for UNCC, starting five. She was part of a 49ers squad that finished the season 16-5-1 and won its second consecutive Atlantic-10 championship.

"Melissa is a tenacious defender," McNamara said. "She reads the game well and is hard to beat one-on-one. She was a starter (at UNCC) until she got hurt mid-season. As a true freshman, that's impressive."

Morris was one of the top high school players from the state of Tennessee in 2007. She finished her career as Sweetwater High School's all-time leading scorer with 64 goals, earning all-state honors three times. She played alongside current Lady Eagle Morgan Gruenenfelder while at SHS.

The Lady Eagles finished the season 2007 season 14-6 overall, and made their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.