Lacrosse Signs 22 in First Recruiting Class

Nov. 29, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville lacrosse head coach Kellie Young completed her first recruiting class with the program by announcing the signing of 22 student-athletes for the Cards' first varsity season in the spring of 2008.

"In every recruiting class, a coach looks to find their diamond in the rough," said Young, who was introduced as UofL's coach on July 20. "You're looking to find that player who has something special that may have been overseen by other programs. You want a player who will grow each and every day into something spectacular. And you want a player with the potential to run the show with intensity and maturity. We have 22 of these players coming to Louisville next fall, and they'll be a part of history."

Young's first recruiting class includes 21 high school signees with four years of eligibility, and one junior college transfer with two years of remaining eligibility. The talented class, which includes athletes from six states and Canada, should give the Cardinal lacrosse program a strong foundation to build upon.

"This recruiting cycle was by far the smoothest process in my coaching career," said Young. "The players and families who have committed to Cardinal Lacrosse saw everything I saw on my visit to Louisville. They experienced a university that is committed to not only developing our student-athletes to their highest potential on the field, but is more deeply committed to developing them as students and professionals, and preparing them for the world beyond Division I lacrosse."

On April 21, 2005, University of Louisville Vice President of Athletics Tom Jurich announced the addition of women's lacrosse as a varsity sport at UofL. The Cards' first varsity season will be in 2008 and will include a partial BIG EAST schedule, while the 2009 season will be UofL's first full season of BIG EAST competition.

"Our signees have embraced the University of Louisville, and Louisville will soon see how well these athletes will represent the greater vision of Louisville Athletics," Young said. "We look forward to taking the field next fall and beginning what will become a tradition of excellence for Louisville Lacrosse."

Here are information capsules on each of the Cards' 22 signees announced on Nov. 29:

Sammy Allen - Midfield/Attack
Silver Spring, Md. (James Hubert Blake HS)
- Club Team: Future Elite
- First Team All-County, First Team by MCPS Coaches and First Team All-Division as a junior... Second Team All-County and First Team All-Division as a sophomore.
- Coach Young on Sammy Allen: "Sammy's `let it loose' mentality on the field caught my eye early in the recruiting process. She carries the ball with controlled confidence and uses her speed to bypass opposing pressure. She is deceptive on the offense and poised with her 1v1 defense. Nonetheless, Sammy's greatest asset is that she plays each game for 60 minutes with an unwavering belief in her team's ability to win."

Lianne Bobal - Center/Midfield
Annandale, N.J. (North Hunterdon HS)
- Club Team: T3 Lax
- First Team All-Conference, Earned "Most Heart" Award and second leading scorer with 57 goals and 23 assists in 2005-06... Earned "Most Heart" Award, named Second Team All-Area, Second Team All-Conference Defender and Third Team All-Area in 2004-05... National Honor Society and member of National Honor Society of High School Scholars.
- Coach Young on Lianne Bobal: "One of the fastest high school players in the game, Lianne's pure athleticism will challenge our most dynamic opponents. Her existing talent will only strengthen in the college game when she's exposed to the best of the best in the Big East. Lianne is expected to contribute significantly to our fast break offense in 2008 as well as tally points as a 1v1 attacker."

Emily Dashiell - Midfield
Salisbury, Md. (Parkside HS)
- Club Team: CClax
- Earned First Team All-Bayside each of her first three prep seasons... Prep Lacrosse Academic All-America honoree... Team captain as junior and sophomore... Named Team MVP as a freshman.
- Coach Young on Emily Dashiell: "A midfielder who brings great maturity to the field, Emily thrives in pressure situations and loves the underdog role. The best thing an opponent could do for us is to underestimate her abilities on the field. Off the draw, she has an uncanny sense of her surroundings, which will help us gain consistent possession after goals. Most impressively, Emily is constantly self-evaluating to find the best in herself while challenging her teammates to raise the bar."

Mary Dean - Center
Wyncote, Pa. (Cheltenham HS)
- Club Team: Ultimate Goal
- Named Keystone Games Delaware Valley Athlete of the Year in 2005 and 2006... First Team All Suburban in 2005 and 2006... First Team All Galaxy in 2006 and Second Team All-Galaxy in 2005 ... All-America Honorable Mention in 2006... School record holder for goals and assists.
- Coach Young on Mary Dean: "One of the most well-rounded student-athletes I've ever recruited, Mary is a grounded individual with a pure understanding of team and a real passion for the sport of lacrosse. She possesses both great talent and great perspective. A player of Mary's caliber will impact our program immediately and contribute to our success throughout her four years in the `Ville."

Ruby Devine - Midfield
Severna Park, Md. (Severna Park HS)
- Club Team: CClax
- Second Team All-County and Second Team All-Galaxy... Honor roll athlete... Falcon Pride Award Winner... Also lettered in volleyball.
- Coach Young on Ruby Devine: "Ruby will forever be the first athlete to commit to Louisville Lacrosse. A smart and consistent player, she makes strong decisions with the ball play after play. Her speed will benefit our transition play while her abilities on both ends of the field will allow us to send the first seven over in both directions."

Katie Dillon - Midfield/Attack
Louisville, Ky. (North Oldham HS)
- Club Team: X-Team
- First Team All-State selection as a junior and sophomore... Galaxy League All-American... Honorable Mention All-America... Led league in goals... Also lettered in soccer and cross country.
- Coach Young on Katie Dillon: "We are thrilled to have one of the most talented players coming out of Kentucky joining the Louisville family. A speedy athlete with a raw style of play, her learning curve over the next four years will be hard to duplicate. Who Kate will become as a Cardinal Lacrosse player is sure to amaze us all."

Janaye Dzikewich - Midfield/Defense
Whitby, Ont. (Sinclair Secondary School)
- Club Team: Oshawa Lady Blue Knights
- Currently a member of Team Canada's Top 27... Named 2004 U19 Rookie of the Year... Member of 2006 and 2005 LOSSA Gold Medalists and Provincial Cup champions, 2005 and 2006 U19 Ontario champions, 2004 LOSSA Gold Medalists, U19 Ontario and Summer Games champions, 2003 U15 Ontario champions and 2002 U15 Ontario Silver Medalists.
- Coach Young on Janaye Dzikewich: "A smart and disciplined defender, Janaye excels in her 1v1 presence. Her solid positioning will help us slow down opposing 1v1 challenges, while also discouraging feeds inside the 8m. As she continues to develop, we are seeing an athlete contribute to her team's overall success through transition and possession on the attack. Above all else, Janaye is a workhorse and will find success at the next level."

Emily Falk - Midfield
Clifton, Va. (Centreville HS)
- Club Team: M&D Lacrosse Club
- Named 2005 Concorde All-District Alternate
- Coach Young on Emily Falk: "Fast and resolute, Emily will be a spark coming out of the defensive end. As transition becomes more and more of a definitive characteristic of successful Division I programs, Emily's talent will help establish our transitional strength, jump-starting our fast breaks play after play."

Bergan Foley - Midfield/Attack
Huntingdon Valley, Pa. (Gwynedd Mercy Academy HS)
- Club Team: Ultimate Goal
- In 2006, led Gwynedd Mercy in goals and assists, named Catholic League All-Star and Bicentennial League All-Star... In 2005, named Catholic League All-Star, Bicentennial League All-Star, All-County, All-Area and Gwynedd Mercy's MVP... Team won back-to-back Bicentennial League titles in 2004 and 2005.
- Coach Young on Bergan Foley: "Bergan is a dynamic attacker with an unyielding purpose to get shots off inside the 8m. She can challenge 1v1 from both high and around the crease, while also handling feeds inside the 8m under high pressure. Bergan brings excellent speed to our defensive transition, helping to force turnovers and regain possession for our attack. Her overall poise as an athlete will bring calmness to our young squad."

Natalie Hopkins - Attack
Easton, Md. (Easton HS)
- Club Team: CClax Black 2007
- Named Second Team All-Conference... Named team captain for her senior season... Earned Heart of a Warrior Award... Four-year letterwinner in lacrosse at Easton.
- Coach Young on Natalie Hopkins: "One of the fastest line attackers we've recruited, Natalie will tally points early in her career. Still, what will impact us most it is her speed over 20-30 yards. Her quick step and unwavering attitude will give us a strong re-defending presence game after game. Natalie's determination on the field and zest for life off the field is sure to keep us all on our toes."

Melissa Little - Defense
Hampstead, Md. (North Carroll HS)
- Club Team: Skywalkers
- Member of the National Honor Society.
- Coach Young on Melissa Little: "Melissa made her impression on our staff late in the process after attending our Vision camp this past summer. Nonetheless, her impression was tremendous. Melissa is a competitor; an athlete who leaves it all on the field for her teammates. I was most impressed with her awareness of her surroundings and above all, her thirst for learning. As a defender, Melissa will shine on the crease as well as her off ball play."

Liz Lovejoy - Midfield
Greenwich, Conn. (Greenwich HS)
- Club Team: CTLF
- Team captain... Member of Greenwich's 2005 state title team.
- Coach Young on Liz Lovejoy: "Liz is a fierce attacker with a one-track mind on putting the ball in the back of the net. She finds a way to get inside the 8m whether running around or through her defender. If stopped initially, Liz is never deterred from trying again. Her tenacity will help us run a balanced attack from day one."

Kelsey McDowell - Defense
Abington, Pa. (William Penn Charter School)
- Club Team: Ultimate Goal Lacrosse
- Named Second Team All-Galaxy in 2006 and All-Galaxy Honorable Mention in 2005... Earned Coach's Award as a sophomore.
- Coach Young on Kelsey McDowell: "Kelsey's instincts as a team defender are among the best I've seen in a high school lacrosse player. She sees double teams exceptionally well and protects the box with a natural ease. A gritty athlete, Kelsey will run through a brick wall for her teammates. What coach could pass up that level of intensity? As strong as she is now, Kelsey will quickly develop into a prominent Division I defender."

Liz Miller - Attack
North Potomac, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel/Montgomery Coll.)
- Club Team: MD Stars
- First Team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, First Team All-County.
- Coach Young on Liz Miller: "Liz has seen a lot in her years on the lacrosse field. The lessons she has learned and experience she's gained will help guide our young squad in 2008. As an athlete, Liz's presence on the offense and understanding of running an attack will benefit a young attack - wisely working the clock and helping her teammates make disciplined decisions with the ball."

Brittany Poist - Midfield
Hampstead, Md. (North Carroll HS)
- Club Team: Skywalkers 2007 White
- In 2006, named team MVP, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-County, was fifth in scoring in Baltimore Sun/Baltimore Metro Area and led team in goals, assists, groundballs, draw controls and caused turnovers... Named Second Team All-County in 2005.
- Coach Young on Brittany Poist: "Brittany is one of the most enthusiastic players I've ever recruited. She brings tremendous excitement to Louisville Lacrosse as well as high expectations. A midfielder with excellent endurance, Brittany is confident and driven as a player working each day to be the best she can be. We will look for her to impact each aspect of our game in her first year at Louisville."

Tara Restly - Midfield
Severn, Md. (Archbishop Spalding HS)
- Club Team: CClax 2007 Black
- Two-time All-Galaxy selection... Four-year varsity starter for Spalding... Named team MVP in 2006.
- Coach Young on Tara Restly: "Tara is a fighter. You can see the passion in her eyes with one look. She is a person who sets her mind to a goal and charges forward until she has achieved her dreams. A player with incredible determination, she will inspire her teammates with her work ethic and her commitment to the task at hand."

Sierra Smith-Hart - Midfield/Attack
Whitby, Ont. (The Hill Academy)
- Club Team: Orangeville Northmen
- Coach Young on Sierra Smith-Hart: "One of the top Canadian U19 players, Sierra has been on our radar for over two years. During our evaluation, we knew what Sierra could do on the field and how she would contribute to our program. Still, it was her official visit that sealed the deal. We saw a young woman with a vibrant personality, who will bring energy and enthusiasm to the field each and every day."

Shayna Stearns - Attack
Severna Park, Md. (Severna Park HS)
- Club Team: SPlax
- Member of Severna Park's 2006 state finalist squad and 2005 county champions.
- Coach Young on Shayna Stearns: "As an attacker, Shayna excels in handling the ball in pressure situations. She shines at being fed inside the 8m and using one quick step to get around her defender. Shayna will do what is asked, but we know she wants the ball and will do what is necessary to find the cage."

Abigail Wah - Low Defense
Cockeysville, Md. (Dulaney HS)
- Club Team: 2007 ROME (White)
- Two-year letterwinner at Dulaney... Also lettered in soccer... Earned academic scholar awards in lacrosse and soccer.
- Coach Young on Abigail Wah: "A feisty defender who overcomes her small size with a tenacious style of play, Abigail has great positioning on ball and some of the best footwork in her class. Her athleticism allows her to attack the ball and frustrate her most talented opponents. As her transition play develops, Abigail will become more and more efficient at jump-starting our fast break."

Jamie Ward - Defense
Ellicott City, Md. (Howard HS/Seton Keough)
- Club Team: M&D Lax Club
- Earned Coach's Award at Seton Keough in 2006... All-Galaxy Honorable Mention in 2006... Also lettered in field hockey.
- Coach Young on Jamie Ward: "Jamie is a team player, but makes no qualms about her desire to protect the cage. She is a defender through and through and thrives on keeping the ball out of her defensive goal. I have no doubt she will play any position asked of her, but we know where her heart is and we know what she'll bring to our defense - resilience, strength of mind and intensity."

Kellianne Wunk - Defense
Ellicott City, Md. (Mt. Hebron HS)
- Club Team: M&D Lax Club
- Coach Young on Kellianne Wunk: "A sound defender who has yet to reach her peak performance, Kellianne wants to be great and yearns for more learning and understanding. Once exposed to the game at the next level, she will combine all that she has gained from one of the best high school programs in the country and add a deeper understanding of defensive technique to grow into a talented Division I defender."

Holly Ziegler - Defense
Towson, Md. (Towson HS)
- Club Team: Skywalkers
- JV captain as a sophomore... Also lettered in soccer... Member of the National Honor Society.
- Coach Young on Holly Ziegler: "Holly is a vigorous defender with a one-track mind for ground balls. She has great vision and confidence handling the ball in stressful situations. Holly feels the pressure around her and somehow finds the open lanes to get out of traffic. Her fire and fortitude on the defense will inspire a greater effort from all of her teammates."

University of Louisville Athletics

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