By Darryl Grumling
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/18/10
Strath Haven midfielder Ana White has signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I lacrosse at Lafayette College.
White scored 76 goals last season to help the Panthers reach the championship game of the inaugural PIAA tournament. She was a first-team All-Central League pick and second team All-Phillylacrosse.com selection.
“I think it was just the perfect balance of great academics and a lacrosse program that’s growing,” said White, who also considered Lehigh. “I went there on my visit and loved it, and it’s a convenient location for my parents to watch my games.”
Lafayette, which is coached by Hatboro-Horsham grad Allison Fisher, went 0-6 in the Patriot League and 2-15 overall last year. Philly-area grads on the Leopards include: senior defender Julia Bateman (Penn Charter), senior defender Lauren Ingersoll (Penn Charter), freshman defender Katie Mischler (Mount St. Joseph), sophomore midfielder Lisa O’Donnell (Abington) and freshman midfielder Jessica Rothstein (Harriton).
“I loved the fact that on my official visit I saw a lot of girls I had played with over the years,” White said. “It was so helpful.”
A member of the National Honor Society, and four-year starter on the Panthers’ girls’ basketball team, White is considering majoring in Biology. White also plays for the Phantastix club team and was also a member of the Philly 2 squad that competed in the U.S. Lacrosse National tournament in May.
She will join fellow Philly-area seniors Penn Charter goalie Meghan Curtin, Central Bucks West attack Tori Ueland and Springside School attack Lindsay Yang in the recruiting Class of 2014 for the Leopards.
The Panthers are coming off a season in which they went 9-2 in the Central League (third place) and 21-5 overall. White’s Strath Haven teammate, Kelly Ruffini, has committed to Division III Gettysburg.
“I’m so excited about this season,” said White, who had three goals in the Panthers’ 20-10 state championship loss to Radnor. “Our goal is definitely to get back into states and get to the final again. This year we’re really going to be focusing on the entire team.”
