Bruins sign Hays to women's soccer team

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University women's soccer team, under head coach Andy Nicolarsen, announced today the signing of Katie Hays (Peculiar, Mo.) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Bellevue beginning in the fall of 2017.

Hays is the daughter of Dave and Tammy Hays and resides in Peculiar, Mo. where she attends Raymore-Peculiar High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was on the Principal's Honor Roll every semester. Hays is also a four-year varsity soccer player for the Ray-Pec Panthers.

She played the majority of her club soccer career for the KC Prime Academy Navy. The KC Prime were coached by her father and, more recently, Michael Nardiello. In 2015 the KC Prime won the Missouri State Cup, won the Region Cup, then finished third at the National President's Cup.

Coach Nicolarsen said of Hays, "First, and foremost, Katie is an exceptional student. She has also competed at the highest levels of club soccer for Coach Nardiello and the KC Prime which has undoubtedly prepared her for the college game. Katie is going to be a great student-athlete for us. I look forward to having her in the program."

This past season the Bruins posted a 12-5-1 overall record and a 3-1-0 mark in conference play en route to claiming both the NSAA Regular-Season and Tournament Championships. BU closed the season on a high note, winning four-straight games and posting an 8-1-1 mark in their final 10 contests.