June 25, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State head women's lacrosse coach Missy Doherty has announced the additions of eight incoming freshmen that will represent the Class of 2017. The contingent is comprised of three defenders and midfielders, as well as one attacker and goalkeeper.
"We are extremely excited about the talent coming in next year," said Doherty. "We have a lot of athletes who have excelled at the highest levels in high school, and we are ready for them to come and contribute for us here at Penn State."
The incoming freshmen include:
- Taylor Bleistein, Defense, Bayville, N.Y.
- Megan Callaghan, Attack, Dallas, Texas
- Steph Lazo, Midfield, Stevensville, Md.
- Sarah Piazza, Defense, Bel Air, Md.
- Cat Rainone, Goalkeeper, Newtown Square, Pa.
- Natalie Schmitt, Midfield, Malvern, Pa.
- Abby Smucker, Midfield, Bel Air, Md.
- Jane Truffer, Defense, Arnold, Md.
Individual bios can be accessed by clicking on the players' names above. The incoming freshmen hail from Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Under Doherty's guidance, Penn State has posted three straight 10-win seasons, while this spring recording the program's most victories since 1999. The Nittany Lions advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second straight year and appeared in back-to-back NCAA championships for the first time since a three-year span from 1995-97.
In 2013, Penn State defeated its highest ranked opponent since 2007 with a 16-11 upset victory against then-No. 2 Florida. The Nittany Lions also finished a perfect 9-0 at home to complete its first undefeated home campaign since 1991. In her three seasons in Happy Valley, Doherty has coached six Nittany Lions to IWLCA All-America accolades, as well as 14 to all-conference status.