Louisville Lacrosse Adds Four Transfers for 2008
April 19, 2007 | Women's Lacrosse
April 19, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville lacrosse head coach Kellie Young announced Thursday that former Ohio University student-athletes Kendra Burawski, Danielle Hale, Jen Heup and Colleen Nevin have signed financial aid agreements with U of L and will join the Cards for the program's first varsity season in the spring of 2008.
On Jan. 25, Ohio University announced it would discontinue the lacrosse program following the completion of 2007, and on Feb. 9, it was announced that the Bobcats' 2007 lacrosse season would not be played. All four former Ohio University student-athletes set to join the U of L program were granted waivers by the NCAA and will not lose any eligibility in the process.
Heup, a goalkeeper from Davidsonville, Md., will have two years of eligibility remaining after starting all 16 games for the Bobcats in 2006. She was named the American Lacrosse Conference Goalie of the Year as a sophomore and ranked 13th in the nation in save percentage at .511. She had a career-high 18 saves against Virginia Tech in 2006 and had at least 10 saves in 12 of 16 games. As a freshman, she played in nine games, starting in six, finishing with 66 saves for a save percentage of .504. As a prep athlete at South River High School, she started every game of her four-year high school career, guiding her team to the state championship game and all-county accolades.
"Jen is hands-down, one of the best goalkeepers in the country," Young said. "She has already received conference and regional recognition in just two years of collegiate competition. Building on what she has already learned between the pipes, Jen is bound for greatness in her final two seasons of play. We're thrilled that she has chosen to attend the University of Louisville and be the first-ever keeper to wear red and black for the Cards."
Hale, a midfielder from Cleveland, Ohio, will have three years of eligibility remaining after playing in eight games in 2006 and scoring two goals for the Bobcats. A graduate of Magnificat High School, she scored 114 goals in her prep career, including 58 as a senior and was a four-year starter. She played club lacrosse for Team Ohio and also earned two letters in field hockey in high school.
"Danielle is a quick and feisty midfielder who will bring speed and tenacity to our offensive transition," Young said. "With a year of Division I experience under her belt, she will also bring valuable knowledge to our youthful attack. Enthusiastic and determined, her strongest attribute is her work ethic, which is all that's needed to make a great finisher."
Nevin, a defender from Hampstead, Md., will have three years of remaining eligibility after playing in all 16 games in 2006 and starting in 11. She picked up 11 ground balls, caused two turnovers and was named to the American Lacrosse Conference Academic Honor Roll as a freshman. As a prep athlete, she lettered three times in lacrosse and twice each in volleyball and basketball at Mount de Sales Academy. She also played club lacrosse for ROME Lacrosse.
"Colleen fills an important defensive need for Louisville Lacrosse," said Young. "Her presence, combined with great vision, awareness and communication skills as a low defender, will help us match-up against post-up attackers and execute a precision defense early in the season. We look forward to working with Colleen and training her to run our defense."
Burawski, a goalkeeper from Wilmington, Del., will have four years of eligibility remaining at U of L. As a three-time letter winner in lacrosse at St. Marks High School, she was First Team All-State her junior and senior seasons and was Second Team All-State as a sophomore. As a senior, she was co-captain leading her team to a state title.
"Kendra is not only a talented keeper, but a player eager to grow and mature in the crease," Young said. "She will challenge Jen, while learning valuable pointers and lessons from one of the best keepers in the game. And with four years of eligibility, I can only imagine how talented she will be in her senior season."
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 U of L, while Young was introduced as head coach on July 20, 2006. The Cards' first varsity season will be in 2008 and will include a partial BIG EAST schedule, while the 2009 season will be U of L's first full season of BIG EAST competition.
