Lacrosse Inks Eight in Fall Signing Period
December 02, 2008 | Women's Lacrosse
Dec. 2, 2008
University of Louisville lacrosse head coach Kellie Young announced the signing of eight prep student-athletes to National Letters-of-Intent during the fall signing period. Shaela Allen of Ridley Park, Pa, Lena Amalfitano of East Islip, N.Y., Jamie Dolan of Hopkinton, Mass., Megan McCarthy of Kensington, Md., Gabi Miller of Glen Arm, Md., Danielle Pawliw of Plainview, N.Y., Liz Vlk of Phoenix, Md. and Mary Ellen Whitlock of Monmouth Beach, N.J. signed with the Cards and will be the class of 2013.
"I am thrilled that these eight young women have chosen to join the Louisville Lacrosse family, said Kellie Young. "Who they are and what they stand for will only add to the unbelievable community that is Louisville Lacrosse."
Here are information capsules on each player:
Shaela Allen - Position: Midfield/Attack
- Hometown: Ridley Park, Pa.
- High School: Ridley
- Club Team: Ultimate Goal
- Accomplishments/Awards: Four Year Varsity letterwinner, Second team All-Galaxy
- Coach Young on Shaela: "Shaela is both a tremendous young woman and a tremendous midfielder. Although her nature and intentions are very sweet and gentle, her on-field play is the polar opposite. Her speed and tenacity will make her a fierce competitor at the Division I level."
Lena Amalfitano - Position:Midfield
- Hometown:East Islip N.Y.
- High School:East Islip High School
- Club Team:Yellow Jackets
- Accomplishments/Awards: Four-year varsity letter winner ... Two-time Unsung Hero ... All-Tourney ... MVP on Yellow Jackets ... Three- time Scholar Athlete award ... All-League, All-Division ...All-County in Soccer
- Coach Young on Lena: "To elevate to the next level, we've needed more speed and awareness in the midfield. Lena brings both qualities while also bringing a feisty style of play which will challenge our existing players to work harder each and every day."
Jamie Dolan - Position: Midfielder/Defender
- Hometown: Hopkinton, Mass.
- High School: Hopkinton High School
- Club Team: Mass Elite Club Lacrosse
- Awards/Accomplishments: Lower New England Team 2 and Team 3 in 2007 and 2008 ... Boston Globe All-Scholastic 2008 ... Boston Herald All-Scholastic 2008 ... Metro West Daily News Super Team 2008 ... Metro West 1st Team 2007 ... Massachusetts Super Junior Team 2008 ... Galaxy All-Star First Team Award 2007 and 2008 ... Eastern Massachusetts Girls Lacrosse Coaches Association First Team All-star 2008 ... Tri-Valley League All-star First Team 2007 and 2008 Tri-Valley League Honorable Mention 2006 ... Team Unsung Hero 2007 ... Led team in forced turnovers and GBC in 2008 and 2006 ... 4 year varsity starter, team captain 2009 ...3 year varsity basketball ... 10-year 4H member; UNITE Mentor
- Career stats: 89 goals, 74 assists;135 GBC; 132 forced turnovers
Coach Kellie Young on Jamie: "A solid all-around player, Jamie has only touched the surface of her potential with the game. We anticipate her impacting many aspects of our game but look forward to seeing who she will become in the Louisville uniform."
Meghan McCarthy - Position: Low Defense
- Hometown: Kensington, Md.
- High School: Georgetown Visitation
- Club Team: PlayHer Sports
- Accomplishments/Awards: All-Metro honorable mention ... All-ISL, All- Distract ... Named to the DC Sports Extra team
- Coach Kellie Young on Meghan: "Meg is a no-nonsense defender who plays with grit and attitude. She will bring a strong presence to our defense and although she could challenge for time early on, it is advantageous that she has time to learn from leadership players like Colleen Nevin ('10) and Jamie Ward (`11.)"
Gabi Miller - Position: Attack
- Hometown: Glen Arm, Md.
- High School: Loch Raven High School
- Club Team: TLC
- Accomplishments/Awards: Lettered 3 years lacrosse and soccer ... Leading scorer freshman, sophomore and junior year; All-Baltimore County sophomore year ... Towson Times All-Star Team 2008 ... First team All County/All-Division Junior year 2008 ... Laxpower All-Metro 2008 ... Regional champions 2008.
- Coach Kellie Young on Gabi: "Gabi is going to bring new fire to our attack. A highly sought after player, Gabi took a leap of faith in committing to Louisville early in the process. She is smart and disciplined and will impact our offense early in her career."
Danielle Pawliw - Position: Goalie
- Hometown: Plainview, N.Y.
- High School: St. Anthony's High School
- Club: Liberty Lacrosse
- Awards/Accomplishements: In 9th grade, she named team MVP(St. Anthony's JV) ... starting goalie on St. Anthony's Varsity lacrosse team sophomore and junior year ... as a sophomore she was named All-League ... as a junior she was named Academic All-American and her team won the N.S.C.H.S.A.A Championship.
- Coach Kellie Young on Danielle: "One of the best 2009 keepers, Danielle was the first verbal commitment for this class and finished what can often be a challenging process for college coaches, securing a talented keeper to be your last line of defense. Danielle already bleeds red and black and is a Louisville Cardinal at heart.
Elizabeth (Liz) Vlk - Position: Defense
- Hometown: Phoenix, Md.
- High School: St. Paul's School For Girls ("SPSG")
- Club Team: ROME 2009
- Accomplishments/Awards: SPSG Athletic Association President for 2008-2009 school year ... SPSG Varsity 10th-12th grade starter, 9th grade JV, moved up to Varsity ... 2006 MIAA A conference Champions ... 2008 US Lacrosse Mid-Atlantic Team 4 ... 2007 US Lacrosse Mid-Atlantic Team 5 ... Maryland Youth Lacrosse Association All-Star
- Coach Kellie Young on Liz: "An aggressive and determined defender, Liz has no problem putting high pressure on the ball and attacking her opponents. She will challenge our existing defense to work harder, take more healthy chances and enjoy what it means to be a defender by nature. I look forward to seeing what Liz will bring to our Cardinal defense."
Mary Ellen Whitlock Position: Midfield
- Hometown: Monmouth Beach, N.J.
- High School: Red Bank Catholic High School
- Club Team: T3 Shore Lacrosse
- Accomplishments/Awards: 1st team all division 2006 ... First team All-Division 2007 ... Second Team All-Shore Conference 2008, Most Valuable Defensive player 2006 ... Best Team Player 2007 ... Most Valuable All Around player 2008.
- Coach Kellie Young on Mary Ellen: "Mary Ellen is smart and savvy in the defensive 8m. Still growing as a player, she already has an uncanny sense of her surroundings and excellent timing in her defensive adjustments. Mary Ellen has the potential to be an amazing Division I defender in combining her awareness with her innate athletic ability."
