Field Hockey Signs Seven
February 17, 2004 | Field Hockey
Feb. 17, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- - University of Louisville field hockey coach Pam Bustin has announced that seven student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and playing careers at the University of Louisville.
Janelle Avila, a forward from North Kingstown High School in North Kingstown, R.I., was a member of the 2002 and 2003 state champion teams. She was a team captain and earned state title game MVP honors in 2003. She was also a three-time All-State first team selection and a NFHCA Regional All-American her junior and senior years. After leading the state in scoring in 2002 and 2003, Avila was named the 2004 Words Unlimited Schoolgirl Athlete of the Year.
"I am thrilled to have another New Englander on our roster," said Bustin. "Janelle is coming off an extremely successful high school career and is ready for the next level. She is strong on the forward line and her determination to score the goal will be a welcomed addition to TEAM CARDINAL."
Missy Briery, a midfielder/back from Del Mar, Calif., played for the California Interscholastic Federation champion team as a sophomore and junior. As a senior, she earned All-County first team honors, was named to the San Diego Union-Tribune first team and earned Torrey Pines High School MVP honors. The 2003 team captain also received the 2003 San Diego Union-Tribune Academic Athlete Award.
"Missy's competitiveness and speed first caught my eye," said Bustin. "That combination should fit well with the other members on our team. With turf play, Missy has the potential to become a very skillful and dangerous player for the Cardinals."
Casey Diener, a forward from Bird-in-Hand, Pa. played for Conestoga Valley High School in Lancaster, Pa. She was a first-team All-State team member in 2002 and 2003 and is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Casey's quiet demeanor off the field is matched by her fiery attitude on the field," said Bustin. "Another competitor on our roster is a good thing. Casey brings an inherited passion for the game. We are so excited that she decided to be a Louisville Cardinal."
Marie-Claire Heller, a goalkeeper from East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, N.C. was a member of the 2001 and 2002 state champion teams. She earned first team All-Conference honors in 2002.
"How fortunate we feel to announce Marie-Claire Heller as our freshman goalkeeper," said Bustin. "This was an important position to fill, and M.C. decided to accept the challenge. She has experienced great success at East Chapel Hill High School, and the NC Tar Devils club team, the USFHA Futures Program, and attended the UofL Goalkeeping Camp last summer. M.C. is a great communicator on the field and truly enjoys being a part of the entire game."
Beth Latham, a midfielder/back from Norristown, Pa., played for Methacton High School where she was a three year varsity starter, a member of the 2001 League Champion team and senior captain. She received All-League honors in 2002 and 2003 and was named to the All-State second team in 2003. Latham was also a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll.
"If anyone can translate excitement and passion to the hockey field, it is Beth Latham," said Bustin. "She shared that excitement and passion with her teammates at Methacton High School and the talented Xcalibur Club. Beth's dedication and commitment to field hockey is remarkable and is exactly what helps create championship teams. Those attributes will aid in Beth's development as a Division I field hockey player and take her to the next level."
Laken Letellier, a Louisville native, played for Sacred Heart Academy. The forward/midfielder was a member of the 2001 state champion team and the 2003 state runner-up team. She earned All-State tournament team honors as a senior and was named to the All-County first team in 2001 and 2003. In her four year career, Letellier scored 81 goals.
"We have been a Laken fan for a few years now, and come to find out, Laken has been a TEAM CARDINAL hockey fan as well," said Bustin. "That works out perfectly as Laken becomes a bona fide University of Louisville Cardinal! Laken has developed into a promising Division I student-athlete. We look forward to helping this homegrown hockey player continue to achieve her goals and contribute to a championship program."
Casey Meizinger, a Warrington, Pa. native, was a midfielder/back for Central Bucks High School East in Doylestown, Pa. She was a member of the 2002 Patriot League Champion and the 2002 PIAA State Champion teams. As a senior, she earned All-State first team honors, was an All-League selection and an All-Intelligencer and All-Southeastern Pennsylvania first team selection. She was named one of the 2003 Intelligencer Top Five Impact Players. Meizinger participated in the Futures Elite international Tournament in Holland and in the Olympic Development 'B' Camp. She was also named to the 2003 All-State Academic Team.
"Casey's mentality, speed, intelligence and discipline are what make Casey Meizinger one of this year's top prospects. We are proud to call her a Louisville Cardinal and look forward to continuing to improve her sound fundamentals and game sense. Casey has also contributed her skills and athleticism to the Xcalibur Club team along side her newest college teammate Beth Latham."
"This is arguably one of our finest incoming classes of all time and one of the best in the country," said Bustin. "We are proud of each year's signing class but this group is unique. What makes them unique is the chemistry already apparent amongst the group. They are special student-athletes who have known one another or competed against one another for some time. It is anticipated that the overall personality of this group, their competitiveness and love of the game, will complement and blend with the amazing group we brought to Louisville last fall and with the leadership of our upperclassmen."
The Cardinals finished the 2003 season with a 13-10 record after winning the Mid-American Conference tournament and earning the program's first NCAA bid.
