Dec. 13, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State women's lacrosse head coach Missy Doherty has announced the signing of eight recruits for the 2012 season. The class, which will enroll in school in the fall of 2011, is comprised of five midfielders, two defenders, and one attacker with four hailing from Maryland, two from New Jersey, and one each from New York and Pennsylvania.
"This 2011 class is extremely well rounded and gifted in each position," said Doherty, who in entering her first season at Penn State. "We have a great mix of speed, strength, and scoring ability and I'm looking forward to them contributing quickly in our 2012 season."
Kristin Brent stars at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, N.Y., contributing to three straight Long Island Catholic High School League championship game appearances and a combined 42-8 record. The native of Rockville Centre, N.Y. has totaled 125 goals and 100 assists as a starter in the midfield for the Spartans, earning All-Long Island Catholic League honors all three years and Rookie of the Year recognition in 2008. As a member of the Long Island Yellow Jackets club team, she won a national championship in 2009.
Tatum Coffey has emerged as a prolific point scorer over the course of her three years as a starting midfielder at Toms River (N.J.) North High School, helping the Mariners to 51 wins. In her junior season of 2010, she scored 115 goals, tying for the most in the state, and tallied 84 assists, receiving Shore Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Shore, All-State, and US Lacrosse All-America honors. An all-around standout athlete, Coffey has played four years of varsity soccer, one year of basketball, and three years of boys' ice hockey. A member of the U-19 US Lacrosse Women's National Training Team, she was one of 24 players and 13 All-Americans selected to participate in training for the FIL games.
A midfielder from White Hall, Md., Haley Ford was a key part of North Harford High School's success in 2010. In addition to helping capture a regional championship, she scored the tying and game winning goals in two postseason contests to help the Hawks advance to the state finals. As a junior, Ford also led her team in ground balls for a second consecutive season and earned first all-county accolades. Playing club lacrosse for NEMS, she won a 2010 Top of the Bay Championship and was named to the 2010 Club National Championship All-Tournament Team.
Cat Layne, a defender/midfielder, will join Penn State following her high school career at Villa Maria Academy in Malvern, Pa. A three-year varsity player and two-year starter, she contributed to a league championship in her freshman year and was selected All-Main Line Honorable Mention as a sophomore and All-Main Line and All-Catholic League as a junior. In 2010, Layne was named to the Under Armour Philadelphia Girls All-Star Team and to the U.S. National Philadelphia Region Team No. 2. The Downingtown native plays club lacrosse for PA Express.
Kelly Lechner, a midfielder/attacker who attends Our Lady of Good Councel High School in Olney, Md., has helped the Falcons capture three straight WCAC titles and extend the Falcons' league winning streak to 68 consecutive games. She has recorded a total of over 200 points thus far in her career, earning First Team All-WCAC (2008-10), first team all-county (2009-10), and All-Met (Second Team in 2009, Honorable Mention in 2010) honors. Lechner also was received All-American recognition in 2010 and was named an ESPN Rise National Top 20 Senior Midfielder and an Inside Lacrosse National Top 20 Rising Senior. With the Maryland and D.C. Lacrosse Club from 2005-10, she played a role in seven championships or runner-up finishes and was selected First Team All-Galaxy in 2010.
Alyssa Semones |
In three years at Moorestown (N.J) High School, Erin McAfee has been a part of two state championships (2008-09) and 71 wins. A starting defender the last two years, she earned First Team All-BCSL and Second Team All-BCT and All-South Jersey honors in her junior season of 2010. Competing as an all-star for the South Jersey Team I, McAfee participated in the National School Girls Tournament in 2009 and 2010. Playing with South Jersey Select Lacrosse club from 2005-10, she won Lax for the Cure Championships in 2008 and 2009.
As a three-year starter for Liberty High School in Eldersburg, Md., attacker Maggie McCormick has notched 107 goals and 92 assists, including a career-high 44 goals and 50 assists as a junior in 2010. For her standout season, she was named First Team All-Monocacy Valley Athletic League (Antietam League) for the second consecutive year, First Team All-Carroll County, and Second Team All-Metro by the Baltimore Sun. McCormick has garnered national attention for her play as well, appearing on ESPN Rise's Top 20 Attackers and Top 50 Recruits. At the club level, she won a national championship in 2009 as a member of Check-Hers Elite.
Alyssa Semones will continue her lacrosse career as a Nittany Lion following her graduation from Westminster (Md.) High School in 2011. A three-year starter in the midfield for the Owls, she has led them to three regional championships, two state semifinalist appearances, and one state finals. Westminster's leading scorer as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, Semones has been named First Team All-MVAL and All-Carroll County three consecutive times. In 2010, she was selected to the Under Armour Baltimore Girls' All-Star Team and Baltimore Metro Team I. A member of Check-Hers Elite club, Semones won a national championship in 2008.
2011-2012 Penn State Women's Lacrosse Recruiting Class
Kristin Brent, Midfielder, Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Tatum Coffey, Midfielder, Toms River, N.J.
Haley Ford, Midfielder, White Hall, Md.
Cat Layne, Defender/Midfielder, Downingtown, Pa.
Kelly Lechner, Midfielder/Attack, Silver Spring, Md.
Erin McAfee, Defender/Midfielder, Moorestown, N.J.
Maggie McCormick, Attack, Eldersburg, Md.
Alyssa Semones, Midfielder, Westminster, Md.