Former Texas Tech defender Cassie Hiatt announced Tuesday that she’s heading northeast to Happy Valley to play for Penn State women’s soccer.

Hiatt, who spent four years with Texas Tech, will use her final year of eligibility with the Nittany Lions as a graduate transfer.

The Parker, Colorado, native earned several honors during her time in Lubbock, including being a third-team All-American in 2019, making the 2018 All-Big 12 Freshman Team, and earning a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2019. Additionally, she was the captain of the Red Raiders for both her junior and senior seasons.

Hiatt started in all 19 games during her senior season and led Texas Tech to an 11-6-3 record in the Big 12 under head coach Tom Stone. She notched one assist and two shots on goal in 2021 from her defensive position, and she acted as one of Texas Tech’s key corner kick specialists.

Throughout her career, the defender secured many big-time recruitments. Hiatt was called up to the U-20 U.S. Women’s National Team in 2020 to compete in the Nike International Friendlies alongside former Nittany Lion goalkeeper Julia Dohle. Two years earlier, she was also featured on the U-18 U.S. Women’s National Team for three matches in England.

Hiatt’s transfer could help coach Erica Dambach and the Nittany Lions improve upon their 12-8-1 overall record last season and uncharacteristic 5-5 Big Ten performance. Penn State closed out its 2021 season with a loss to South Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.