Hatboro-Horsham senior midfielder Tustin chooses Vanderbilt University

By Darryl Grumling
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/31/10

Hatboro-Horsham senior midfielder Sarah Tustin has signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I lacrosse at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Tustin was a second-team All-Suburban One Continental Conference pick in 2009, scoring 35 goals and notching 26 assists despite playing for a squad that went just 1-8-1 in the Suburban One Continental and 2-10-1 overall.

She originally visited Vanderbilt on her way to the University of North Carolina camp in December of 2008, then visited again last February and spent time with the team.

“That was kind of the tipping point,” Tustin said. “After that, I absolutely wanted to go there. After I saw Nashville and met with the coach (Cathy Swezey), I just loved the school. The campus is so pretty.”

A member of the National Honor Society who carries a 3.9 GPA and ranks 11th in her class, Tustin earned the school’s Principal’s Award of Excellence. She is undecided on a major but said she is leaning towards political science or finance.

At Vanderbilt, Tustin will join Radnor seniors Allie Kraus and Alyssa Dunlap as fellow Philly recruits.

Philly grads currently on the Commodores’ roster include sophomore defenders Kacie and Kelly Connors (Radnor), and freshman midfielder Olivia Goodman (Agnes Irwin).

Under Swezey, the Commodores went 10-7 last year, advancing to the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive season. With 11 of its 12 starters returning, Vanderbilt has earned a preseason ranking of No. 11 in the 2010 preview issue of Lacrosse Magazine.

“I really like what Coach Swezey is trying to do,” Tustin said. “They went to the Final Four a couple of years ago, and the girls on the team are amazing. I really want to be part of a team with their potential.”

Tustin plays club lacrosse for Ultimate Goal and competed in the National Tournament last May with the Philly 4 team. She also has played varsity field hockey for three years, and was an academic All-American last fall.

Tustin will be joined at Hatboro-Horsham by another Division i signeee, midfielder Lauren Purvis (Penn State). This spring, Tustin is hopeful the Hatters will bounce back in a big way.

“I have a lot of hope for this team this year,” she said. “I think we’re going to have a pretty solid team. We just have to put it all together, which didn’t happen last year. We’re definitely going to have to work hard to prove ourselves, but I definitely have a lot of faith we can improve.”