Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/2/12
From Press Release
The La Salle University women’s lacrosse program has had eight women sign National Letters of Intent and will join the team in the fall. The Explorer lacrosse class of 2016 will include Burke Brabson (Mount St. Joseph), Taylor Clark (West Chester East), Allison Burnett, Katie Fonte, Molly Gray, Anna Kelly, Abby O’Donnell and Katie Wherley.
“I’m excited about our incoming class,” head coach Candace Taglianetti said. “The women have a lot of potential and commitment to the La Salle lacrosse program.”
The class of 2016 hails from four states and includes two attackers, five midfielders and one defender.
Burke Brabson (Flourtown, Pa./Mount Saint Joseph) is a four-year varsity starter at Mount Saint Joseph and has been elected a team captain for the 2012 season. She has 39 goals and 66 assists in her career. She plays club lacrosse for Ultimate Goal.
Taglianetti on Brabson: Burke has been passionate about becoming an Explorer since her very first visit. I have no doubt she will serve as an excellent representative for our program through her great work ethic, positive attitude and will to succeed.
Taylor Clark (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) was named one of ESPN High School’s Top 25 defenders in 2011. She helped West Chester East to a 10-9 finish in 2011, when the team advanced to the District 1 tournament. Clarke also plays club lacrosse for SEPA.
Taglianetti on Clarke: Taylor is one of the top defenders in the nation; with equal parts speed and quickness. She will be looked upon early in her career to fill the void of our talented graduating seniors.
Allison Burnett (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) will come to La Salle as a midfielder/attacker. During the 2011 season, she added 13 goals and 13 assists for Ridge High School. She also plays club lacrosse for T3 North.
Taglianetti on Burnett: Allie is a well rounded middie that contributes on both ends of the field. She’s smart and composed and ready to make the transition to the college game.
Katie Fonte (Fawn Grove, Pa./Kennard-Dale) has had an outstanding high school career, notching 177 career goals, 38 assists and 183 ground balls. An attacker and midfielder, she was named a 2011 All-York County Midfielder, Co-Most Outstanding Player in York County (along with future teammate Katie Wherley) and team MVP. She also plays for Looney’s Lacrosse Club.
Taglianetti on Fonte: Katie is a proficient scorer that has a smooth stick and great game sense. We will be looking for her to channel her rivalry with future teammate Katie Wherley into instant chemistry on the field.
Molly Gray (Stanley, N.Y./Marcus Whitman) was named The Daily Messenger Lacrosse Player of the Year in 2011 after helping her high school squad to a 19-2 season which ended in the state semifinals. An attacker/midfielder, she is a multiple-year All-League selection and added 51 goals and 55 assists during 2011. Gray is an honor roll student who also plays club lacrosse for Relentless Hustle.
Taglianetti on Gray: Molly was originally recruited as a defender but moved to an offensive middie position after a stellar junior season. She has excellent vision and a knack for finding the open player on transition.
Anna Kelly (Elliot City, Md./Centennial High) is a midfielder and four-year Silver Honor Roll member. In 2011, she added 19 goals and 15 assists, picked up 41 ground balls and controlled 32 draws. She plays club lacrosse for Hero’s 2012. Also a strong field hockey player, she was named to the All-County Second Team in 2010 and 2011.
Taglianetti on Kelly: Anna will do all the dirty work in the midfielded and is a true hustler in the middle of the field. She has a lot of untapped talent and we believe she’s only going to get better in time.
Abby O’Donnell (Queen Anne, Md./Queen Anne’s County) will bring versatile athletic ability to La Salle after earning 12 letters at Queen Anne’s. The midfielder was named First Team Mid-Shore for lacrosse in 2011. A four-year honor roll member, O’Donnell also plays club lacrosse for Maryland United.
Taglianetti on O’Donnell: Abby is our “Mighty Mouse.” She’s scrappy, tough and relentless on the field. She goes hard all the time and has excellent speed.
Katie Wherley (Glenville, Pa./South Western) is an attacker who was named York County Co-Player of the Year in 2011 (along with future teammate Katie Fonte) and Outstanding Offensive Player in both 2010 and 2011. A two-time York County First Team All-Star, she has scored 74 goals and picked up 52 groundballs. Wherley plays club lacrosse for the York Invaders. She is also a Distinguished Honor Roll member and participated in field hockey, earning three varsity letters.
Taglianetti on Wherley: Wherley is a track star in a lacrosse uniform. Her dynamic changes of speed are unmatched. She is going to be someone to watch in the future.
Leave a Reply