varsity.roanoke.com

While the Virginia Tech men's soccer program has become known for its international recruiting, the Hokie women are finding a lot of what they like less than an hour away from campus.

For the second time in as many years, the Tech women's soccer team has gained a commitment from Cave Spring High School. This time it's senior defender Rachel Beaumont, who said Friday she's made an oral agreement to accept a partial scholarship, joining former Knight Jennifer Harvey at Tech.

The decision marked the end of a stressful recruiting process for Beaumont, who also had offers from Central Florida, Utah State and High Point, among others. She made her decision last week after visiting the UCF campus and deciding she wanted to stay close to home.

"I really liked the [Tech] program," Beaumont said. "I felt like that's where I needed to be."

Beaumont was first-team All-Timesland in 2007 after notching seven goals and five assists and helping the Knights advance to the Group AA semifinals. A member of the U-18 Roanoke Star club, she's known for her strength, field vision and leaping ability.

While Beaumont has gained much of that skill through organized play, she's a regular in pickup games at Roanoke College -- and anywhere else she can find a game.

"I love to play," she said. "So if people are playing pickup, I always say, 'Is there room for one more?'"

The Hokies had room, just as they did for Harvey last year.

It probably didn't hurt that Beaumont and Harvey are close friends, too.

"Tech is going to get more than a diamond in the rough," said Cave Spring coach Esteban Martinez, who praised Beaumont's "blue-collar" rise to prospect status. "Much like Jennifer Harvey, she can be an impact player."