Women’s recruits: Penn State frosh women from Philly have strong family ties

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/12/08

This year’s Penn state women’s freshmen class features three Philly players, two of whom have family ties to the school.

Nittany Lions coach Suzanne Isidor announced the 11-player group Friday and noted that several players ranked among the Sports Illustrated Takkle Top 100 Girls High School Lacrosse Players.

“This year’s freshman class is big in numbers as well as in talent,” said Isidor, who is entering her ninth year at the helm of the Nittany Lions. “We have an amazing group of student-athletes coming in from several different states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Vermont. The class also has highly skilled players at each position – attack, midfield, defense, and goalkeeper. I look forward to the opportunity to coach them.”

*Midfielder Aly Adams (Springfield-Delco) is the younger sister of Drew Adams, the men’s team’s three-time ECAC Lacrosse League Goalkeeper of the Year. A starter in the midfield for three and a half years at Springfield. Adams was named All-Delco, All-Central, All-American, and Academic All-American as a senior. In 2007, she helped the Cougars post a perfect 21-0 record and win Central League and District I Championships.

*Attacker Lea Andress (Central Bucks East) has strong Penn State bloodlines as well. Her brother, Johnny, is a junior defender on the men’s lacrosse team, her mother, Deb, is a former Nittany Lion field hockey and lacrosse player and the current women’s lacrosse head coach at Penn State Abington, and her father, John, played quarterback for Coach Joe Paterno from 1973-1977. Andress totaled 200 goals and 95 assists at C.B. East. She was a two-time First-Team Suburban One League-Continental Conference choice as a junior and senior.

*Midfielder Stephanie Markunas (Ridley) is coming off an injury-plagued senior season in which she played only two games. However, her junior year provided an indication of her talent and potential, as she scored 77 goals, earned offensive MVP honors, and was named First Team All-Delco while leading the Raiders to the 2007 state championship game.

The rest of the Penn State freshman class includes goalkeeper Dana Cahill (Mercy High, Md.), midfielder Bridget Callahan (Moorestown, N.J.), defender Brittaney Chamberlain (Westminster, Md.), defender Ashley Ross (Union, Vt), defender Colleen Shea (Seton Keough, Md.), attacker Cassie Speno (Kent Place School, N.J.), midfielder Elaine Welch (Kent Place School, N.J.), and midfielder Theresa Zichelli (Severna Park, Md.).