Feb. 11, 2014
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville head field hockey coach Justine Sowry has announced that five prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Cardinals. Anna DuFour, Renee DuFour, Abby Grimes, Marigrace Ragsdale and Nicole Woods will join the Cardinals in the fall of 2014.
"We welcome our five newcomers to the UofL field jockey family as we embark on our inaugural year in the ACC, the best field hockey conference in the nation," said Sowry. "It is a well-rounded and balanced class and each will contribute to the future success of the program."
2014 Louisville Field Hockey Recruiting Class
2014 Field Recruiting Class Profiles
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| 2014 Field Hockey Recruiting Class Profiles |
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 | | Anna DuFour
Louisville, Ky./DuPont Manual (Bluegrass Premier)
Forward Louisville native Anna DuFour joins the Cardinals from DuPont Manual High School where she was a four-year varsity starter. In 2011, she helped lead her team to the state championship while earning State All-Tournament team honors and the Lawrence-Douglass Tenacity Award. The 2013 Miss Field Hockey award recipient was a team captain, Midwest Region selection and named to the Kentucky Select first team. She was named team MVP twice (2012-13) while helping her squad to four District 4 titles and was named to the 2012 District 4 All-Tournament team. Her twin sister, Renee, is also a member of this year's signing class. Anna DuFour on Louisville
"I chose UofL because I've never seen any place like it. The team really is like a family and everyone takes care of each other. The girls and coaches are so welcoming and nice, the academic support given is incredible and the facilities are one of a kind. I couldn't imagine myself going anywhere else. I feel that UofL is the place to become a champion." Justine Sowry on Anna DuFour
"Anna is a well-rounded and resilient student-athlete who has had to overcome adversity in recent years. Anna has had a great deal of success both locally and regionally and will relish the opportunity to play in best field hockey conference in the country and front of family and friends for four years. She has the versatility to play multiple positions and we look forward to her flourishing in her hometown." |
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 | | Renee DuFour
Louisville, Ky./DuPont Manual (Bluegrass Premier)
Forward Louisville native Renee DuFour joins Louisville from DuPont Manual High School where she was a four-year varsity starter. As a sophomore, she helped her team to the 2011 State Championship and was ranked seventh in the nation in assists by topofthecircle.com. The 2013 team captain was an all-Midwest Region and State All-Tournament first team selection her senior year. She was named team MVP twice (2011 and 2013) and earned the Lawrence Douglass Tenacity Award in 2012. Her twin sister, Anna, is also a member of this year's signing class. Renee DuFour on Louisville
"I chose UofL because when I went on campus there was absolutely no question of it being the perfect fit for me. The coaches and team made me feel extremely welcome and a part of their family from the very beginning. The facilities are phenomenal and the academic support here is unreal. I knew right away Louisville was where I wanted to go. I chose UofL because I want to be a champion." Justine Sowry on Renee DuFour
"Renee, a talented and Louisville native, is a strong and powerful athlete and is a team player through and through. She has a calm presence on the field and is focused and determined to be the best she can be. She will add depth to either our midfield or forward line and we look forward to seeing her growth and development while she is a Cardinal." |
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 | | Abby Grimes
St. Louis, Mo./Visitation Academy (Aim Field Hockey)
Midfielder Abby Grimes joins the Cardinals from St. Louis, Mo., where she played for Visitation Academy and served as a 2013 team captain. As a senior, she was named the 2013 Conference Field Hockey Player of the Year and a two-time first team All-Conference selection (2012-13). Grimes was also a two-time Midwest All-Region team member (2012-13). Grimes plays for Aim Field Hockey club team which is sixth in the nation in the USA Field Hockey National Club Rankings. Her team won first place in its pool in the 2012 and 2013 National Field Hockey Festival, was a two-time National Club Championship participant and a 2013 National Field Hockey Indoor Tournament participant. She also lettered in soccer and was a team captain her senior season. Abby Grimes on Louisville
"I chose UofL because I love the atmosphere and all of the people, especially the team. Everyone is so nice and welcoming and I can't wait to be a part of a great program." Justine Sowry on Abby Grimes
"We have followed Abby's progress over a number of years and we are delighted that she has chosen UofL to be her home for the next four years. Abby is a great athlete and has the maturity and mental toughness to make an immediate impact. She is a feisty, tenacious and disciplined individual and I am confident that her club involvement (AIM) will prepare her to play at the next level. Abby will be sure to make her teammates around her better." |
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 | | Marigrace Ragsdale
St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy (Aim Field Hockey)
Forward Marigrace Ragsdale joins the Cardinals from St. Louis, Mo., where she was a four-year varsity letterwinner at St. Joseph's Academy. As a senior, the team captain registered 24 goals and dished out 19 assists. She is a three-time MWAA All-Conference selection, earning first team honors in 2013 and 2012 and named to the second team in 2011. Ragsdale was an All-Metro second team selection in 2013 after being named to the third team in 2012. Ragsdale was a member of the NFHCA high school national academic squad, earning scholar of distinction in 2013. She also lettered in varsity soccer as a freshman. Ragsdale plays for Aim Field Hockey club team which is sixth in the nation according to USA Field Hockey National Club Rankings. Her team won first place in its pool in the 2012 and 2013 National Field Hockey Festival, was a two-time National Club Championship participant and a 2013 National Field Hockey Indoor Tournament participant. Marigrace Ragsdale on Louisville
"I chose UofL because I was amazed by the support the university has for the athletic programs. I knew that I would be surrounded with the best resources, the best people, and the best facilities that would help me succeed on and off the field. Together, the coaches and players make up such a great team, and I can't wait to be a part of it!" Justine Sowry on Marigrace Ragsdale
"Marigrace has the athleticism, speed and energy to wreak havoc on the forward line. She is a competitor who has committed to being a champion both on the hockey field and in the classroom. She has a great eye in front of the goal and has the uncanny ability to put the ball in the back of the goal from almost anywhere. Marigrace has a strong work ethic that will enable her to compete for playing time in her freshman year." |
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 | | Nicole Woods
Beverly, Mass./Beverly (East Elite)
Forward Nicole Woods joins the Cardinals from Beverly, Mass., where she was a three-year varsity captain at Beverly High School where she helped lead her team to the 2013 Northeastern Conference championship by scoring 11 goals and dishing out 21 assists. The four-year high school NEC all-star was named All-Conference Player of the Year as a senior. She was also a 2013 All-State selection. In 2012, she was named Field Hockey Player of the Year by the Salem News. Woods also plays for the Northeast Elite club team. Nicole Woods on Louisville
"From the moment I stepped on campus for the first time, I knew it had everything I was looking for in a school from academics to athletics. It's clear that being a Cardinal is definitely something to be extremely proud of. And I want to be a champion." Justine Sowry on Nicole Woods
"We are excited that Nicole has chosen to be a Cardinal. She was identified late in the recruiting process and we believe we have found a winner. She is the definition of `a competitor' with a relentless determination to win. Nicole shows poise and comfort on the ball, good hand-eye quickness and reads the game well. We believe that she will provide our team with flexibility as she has great versatility across the lines." |
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