Natalie Hammond

Natalie Hammond (; born December 29, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Xavier Musketeers, earning All-American honors three times. She was named the USA Today national high school player of the year in 2022.

Early life

Hammond grew up in Alexandria, Kentucky. where she played for the soccer team for four seasons. In her senior year in 2021, she led Notre Dame Academy to a 28–0–1 record and the KHSAA state championship, allowing just four goals all season and scoring the lone goal in the state final. She was named MVP of the district, regional, and state tournaments; a United Soccer Coaches high school All-American; and the USA Today High School Player of the Year. She played club soccer for Kings Hammer Academy, earning ECNL all-conference honors.

College career

Hammond started all 23 games for the Xavier Musketeers as a freshman in 2022, contributing to 11 shutouts. In the NCAA tournament, she had an assist in the first round win over Tennessee. She was named second-team All-Big East and named to the Big East all-freshman team. In 2023, she helped the team match a program record 13 shutouts in 20 games as a sophomore, winning a share of the Big East regular-season title and earning a program best four seed in the NCAA tournament. She was named first-team All-Big East and second-team All-American. She was named first-team All-Big East for the third time, Big East Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, and fourth-team All-American, becoming the first three-time All-American in program history. The Cincinnati Enquirer called her "arguably the most decorated player in Xavier women's soccer history".

Club career

Hammond joined the Houston Dash as a non-roster invitee in the preseason in January 2026. On April 10, the Dash announced they had signed Hammond to her first professional contract on a one-year deal; she arrived the next month after finishing college. She made her professional debut on August 8, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw with the Kansas City Current.

International career

Hammond received her first international call-up with the United States under-23 team, training concurrently with the senior national team, in October 2025.

Personal life

Hammond is the daughter of Aly and Thomas Bain and has two siblings. She married Luke Hammond in July 2026.

Honors and awards

Xavier Musketeers Big East Conference: 2023 Big East Conference tournament: 2025

Individual Second-team All-American: 2023, 2024 Fourth-team All-American: 2025 Big East Defensive Player of the Year: 2024, 2025 First-team All-Big East: 2023, 2024, 2025 Second-team All-Big East: 2022 Big East all-freshman team: 2022