UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's lacrosse program, led by Head Coach Missy Doherty, welcomed nine players to its 2020 signing class on Wednesday.
The class is ranked No. 3 in the nation by Inside Lacrosse, behind only North Carolina and Maryland. Penn State has four signees rated as five-star prospects with all four among the Top 18 prospects in the 2020 class.
Among the nine signees are seven midfielders, one defender and one goalkeeper. The group features three signees from Maryland, three from Pennsylvania and one each from Illinois, New Jersey and New York.
The Nittany Lions return 24 members from the 2019 squad, which won eight games including two over ranked opponents. Among the 24 returnees are 2019 All-Big Ten selection Maria Auth and two-time All-American Madison Carter.
Kayla Abernathy
Midfield
Towson, Md./McDonogh
Club: M&D Black Lacrosse
High School:
Played four years at McDonogh High School for head coach Taylor Cummings…Led McDonogh to IAAM A Conference Championships in 2017 and 2019…Named All-Metro second team in 2019 and earned the Coaches Award…As a junior, tallied 24 goals, nine assists, 95 draw controls, 11 caused turnovers and 26 ground balls…Collected 14 goals, 19 assists and 44 draw controls as a sophomore…Registered 17 goals, nine assists and 35 draw controls as a freshman…Rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2020 class by Inside Lacrosse.
Personal:
Full name is Kayla Paige Abernathy…Daughter of Shane and Kristin Abernathy…Has a brother, Michael…Father, Shane, played basketball at the Division III level…Intending to major in communications to pursue a career in sports…Born on December 24, 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because I was extremely impressed by the coaches, players on the team, the facilities, and by the high standards set for the players both on and off the field."
Doherty on Abernathy:
"Kayla is a great two-way middie who is an extra asset on the draw. She is coming from one of the most competitive high school programs in the country and we are excited she is brining her talents to Happy Valley."
Gianna Cutaia
Defense
Spencerport, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy School
Club: Common Goal/Monster Elite
High School:
Played at Our Lady of Mercy School for head coach Anthony Yandek…Led Our Lady of Mercy School to a 13-5 record in 2019…Played one year at Spencerport high school, leading the squad to a 12-6 record in 2017…Named an All-Independent League Section V selection and All-Greater Rochester honorable-mention in 2019…Earned Our Lady of Mercy's Defensive Player of the Year honor…Was a New York State Scholar Athlete and Team Sportsmanship Award honoree in 2019…Earned Monroe County second team honors in 2017…Also plays soccer, leading Spencerport to a Class A State Championship in 2017.
Personal:
Full name is Gianna Rose Cutaia…Daughter of Joseph and Marie Cutaia…Has a sister, Cara…Planning to major in telecommunications to pursue a career in sports broadcasting…Born on April 9, 2002 in Rochester, New York.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of its amazing academics and athletics, the family atmosphere it offers and the tradition it holds."
Doherty on Cutaia:
"Gianna is a competitive workhorse on defense. She will provide fantastic energy and work ethic at our defensive end."
Sammy Dupcak
Midfield
Annapolis, Md./Broadneck
Club: Maryland United
High School:
Played at Broadneck High School for head coach Katy Kelley…Led Broadneck to a 12-5 record in 2019…Named a US Lacrosse All-American as a junior…Is a three-time coaches' All-County Selection, including first team honors in 2018 and 2019…Selected Baltimore Sun All-Metro second team in 2019…Collected 47 goals, 12 assists and a school single-season record 101 draw controls as a junior…Recorded 44 goals and 18 assists as a sophomore…Registered 12 goals and six assists as a freshman…Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal:
Full name is Samantha Katherine Dupcak…Daughter of Maureen and Neal Dupcak…Has a sister, Alexis…Mother, Maureen, was an All-American in lacrosse and p;ayed field hockey at Maryland, graduating in 1994. Maureen also played for the U.S. National Lacrosse Team from 1997-2001, leading the team to a gold medal in 1997…Father, Neal, played lacrosse at Maryland, graduating in 1994…Undecided on a major…Born on June 30, 2002 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because, along with the many great opportunities it offers both academically and athletically, there is nothing like the family atmosphere and school spirit."
Doherty on Dupcak:
"Sammy is a complete and versatile midfielder who can contribute equally at both ends of the field. She has great speed and game sense and will adapt quickly to the college game."
Cam Evitts
Midfield
Berwyn, Pa./Conestoga
Club: Big 4 HHH
High School:
Played three years at Conestoga High School for head coach Amy Orcutt…Led Conestoga to District Titles in 2017 and 2019 and a Central League Championship in 2017…Named first-team All-American as a junior…Earned All-Philly Lacrosse Team, first team All-Main Line and 1st Team Daily Local News honors in 2019…Was named Team MVP in 2019 after being the team's Offensive MVP in 2018…As a junior, collected All-Chester County, second-team All-Main Line and second team All-Central League accolades…As a junior, tallied 47 goals, 12 assists, 70 draw controls, 19 caused turnovers and 26 ground balls…Posted 51 goals, 25 assists, 101 draw controls, eight caused turnovers and 21 ground balls as a sophomore…Registered 22 goals, 13 assists, five draw controls, six caused turnovers and 14 ground balls as a freshman…Rated as a four-star prospect by Inside Lacrosse…Named an Academic All-American…Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal:
Full name Cameron Nicole Evitts…Daughter of Jeff and Traci Evitts…Has two brothers, Matt and Mikey…Mother, Traci, was an All-American in field hockey at Syracuse, graduating in 1992…Aunt, Carol, and grandfather, Edwin, attended Penn State…Planning to major in business…Born on October 23, 2001 in Berwyn, Pennsylvania.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of the family-like atmosphere, the balance between academics and athletics and the great coaching staff. After visiting, I knew it was the place for me."
Doherty on Evitts:
"Cam is a grinder at midfield who makes the all-effort 50/50 plays. Her competitiveness is evident in the first few minutes you watch her. We can't wait for her to come and fight on the field for PSU."
Gretchen Gilmore
Midfield
Glen Ridge, N.J./Glen Ridge
Club: Metro Blue Magic
High School:
Played at Glen Ridge High School for head coach Beth Larkin…Led Glen Ridge to Essex County Championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019…Helped Glen Ridge to three Super Essex Conference titles and three North Group 1 finals…Was a US Lacrosse All-American as a junior…Earned first-team All-State, first-team All-Conference and All-County Tournament Team honors as a junior…As a sophomore, claimed first-team All-Conference honors…Named first-team NJ Group 1 honors as a sophomore…Was a first-team All-Conference selection as a freshman…Collected 98 goals, 27 assists, 141 draw controls and 58 ground balls as a junior…Tallied 74 goals, 30 assists, 150 draw controls and 60 ground balls as a sophomore…Recorded 53 goals, eight assists, 129 draw controls and 29 ground balls as a freshman…Rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 13 overall prospect in the 2020 class by Inside Lacrosse.
Personal:
Full name is Gretchen Swiss Gilmore…Daughter of Catherine and John Gilmore…Has two brothers, Colin and Cameron…Father, John, ran track at New Hampshire…Undecided on a major…Born on December 11, 2001 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of the endless academic opportunities, the incredible sports facilities, the family atmosphere and the team dynamic."
Doherty on Gilmore:
"Gretchen is a talented attacker who plays with a maturity beyond her years. Her composure and decision making are incredibly impressive and we are looking forward to her scoring many goals for the Blue and White."
Alaina Hamood
Midfield/Attack
Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central
Club: Maryland United/Lakeshore Lacrosse
High School:
Played at Hinsdale Central for head coach Dan Hartman… Led Hinsdale Central to an Illinois State Title in 2018, a runner-up title in 2019 and a state semifinals appearance in 2017…Paced Hinsdale Central in draw controls, finished second on the team in total points in 2018…Was an All-State selection in 2018…Member of the Dean's List and Honor Roll at Hinsdale Central.
Personal:
Full name is Alaina Jahaun Hamood…Daughter of Al and Melissa Hamood…Has a brother, Alec, and a sister, Yasmain…Sister, Yasmain, is a senior on the Penn State Lacrosse Team…Planning to major in Pre-Law…Born on November 6, 2001 in Plano, Texas.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of its excellent academics and athletics. The coaches and team made me feel welcomed to the program right away. The school spirit is the best in the country and it has a great family feel and environment."
Doherty on Hamood:
"Alaina makes being an attacker look effortless because of her natural ability to see the cage and her teammates. She has such a unique style that she is hard to defend and will provide us with another great punch on attack."
Cayden Jarvis
Goalkeeper
Bucktown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts
Club: Ultimate CC
High School:
Played at Owen J. Roberts High School for head coach David Schlesinger…Led Owen J. Roberts to three Pioneer Athletic Conference Championships…Helped Owen J. Roberts to a 19-6 record in 2019…Earned All-Conference honors as a sophomore and junior…Selected All-Area as a sophomore…Made 181 saves in 2019…Named PASLA All-Academic as a junior.
Personal:
Full name is Cayden Marie Jarvis…Daughter of Ed and Kristi Jarvis…Has a brother, Blake, and a sister, Carson…Planning to major in mechanical engineering…Born on August 6, 2001 in Germantown, Tennessee.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of its amazing campus atmosphere and it's top-ranked engineering program."
Doherty on Jarvis:
"Cayden is a quick, intelligent and impressive goalkeeper. We are lucky to have her as a student-athlete for our program and she will do great things at Penn State both in the classroom and on the field."
Kristin O'Neill
Midfield
Odenton, Md./Archbishop Spalding
Club: Integrity Lacrosse
High School:
Played at Archbishop Spalding High School for head coach Tara Shea…Served as a captain as a sophomore and junior…Led Archbishop Spalding to a 15-3 record and a No. 15 national ranking as a junior…Named an Under Armour Underclass All-American three times…Selected US Lacrosse All-American in 2019…Was a first-team All-Metro Baltimore Sun and IAAM All-Conference selection in 2019…Tabbed first-team All-County in 2018 and 2019…Led Anne Arundel County with 85 goals as a junior and added 17 assists…As a sophomore, collected 41 goals and 11 assists…Rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2020 class by Inside Lacrosse…Member of the National Honor Society…Received the Al Cantello Jr. Memorial Scholarship at Archbishop Spalding…Set to join Haley Urgo as Archbishop Spalding alums on the Penn State roster.
Personal:
Full name is Kristin Elizabeth O'Neill…Daughter of Kathy and John O'Neill…Has three brothers, Colin, Jason and Cameron…Brother, Colin, plays hockey at UMass Lowell…Brother, Jason, plays hockey at Providence…Undecided on a major…Born on March 18, 2002 in Odenton, Maryland.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of the amazing academics, athletics and coaching staff. It felt like home from the minute I stepped on campus and offers everything I could want in a school."
Doherty on O'Neill:
"Kristin is a lightning-fast midfielder with a great nose for the cage. She has been the go-to player every time we've seen her play and we are excited she will now be making big plays for the Nittany Lions."
Kathryn Toohey
Midfield
Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley
Club: Philly Blast
High School:
Played at Garnet Valley high school for head coach Jenny Purvis…Led Garnet Valley to a 21-4 record in 2019…Helped Garnet Valley to a 17-3 mark, a District Title and a Central League Championship in 2018…Named All-Delco second team in 2018 and 2019…Selected All-Central League second team in 2019…Rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2020 signing class by Inside Lacrosse…Also played soccer at Garnet Valley…Set to join Kara and Regan Nealon as Garnet Valley alums on the Penn State roster.
Personal:
Full name is Kathryn Marie Toohey…Daughter of Frank Toohey and Karen Graver-Toohey…Has a sister, Elizabeth…Father, Frank, played soccer at Widener University…Sister, Elizabeth, plays lacrosse at Manhattan College…Mother, Karen, attended Penn State, graduating in 1983…Planning to major in communications and psychology…Born on July 10, 2001 in Newark, Delaware.
Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State because of all the many different majors it has to offer. I also love the fun-loving atmosphere at Penn State. I love how welcoming the school is and it is a place I can call home."
Doherty on Toohey:
"Kathryn is an extremely talented and fast attacker. She will bring tremendous scoring ability and versatility to our offensive end."
