Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/23/11
From Press Release
Penn State women’s lacrosse head coach Missy Doherty has announced the signing of eight Nittany Lions to National Letters of Intent. The 2012 recruiting class is comprised of four midfielders, two defenders, one attacker, and one goalkeeper with five hailing from Maryland and one each from Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Colorado.
“We are extremely excited about the class of 2016 and we are looking forward to them making an impact immediately,” said Doherty. “This class not only excels on the field, but they are also fantastic students and we are eager for them to arrive in Happy Valley.”
The 2012 recruiting class includes:
– Amanda Ackermann, Midfielder, Stevensville, Md.
– Lauren Bosse, Defender, Towson, Md
– Madison Cyr, Attack, Westminster, Md.
– Heather Harman, Defender, Alpharetta, Ga
– Ally Heavens, Midfielder, Garnet Valley, Pa.
– Jenna Mosketti, Midfielder, Fallston, Md.
– Emi Smith, Goalkeeper, Denver, Colo.
– Erika Spilker, Midfielder, Severna Park, Md.
In her first season in Happy Valley, Doherty led the Nittany Lions to a 10-8 record, marking the first time since the 1998-99 seasons that Penn State posted back-to-back double digit win campaigns. Sixteen letterwinners and five starters return from that 2011 squad, including First Team IWLCA All-West/Midwest Region and All-ALC honoree and ALC Goalkeeper of the Year Dana Cahill.
ALLY HEAVENS, Garnet Valley
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Garnet Valley, Pa.
High School: Garnet Valley
Club Team: Brandywine Majors Select
Ally Heavens stars at Garnet Valley H.S. where she posted 66 goals and 40 assists in 2011 to lead the Jaguars to a 24-3 record and to Central League and PIAA state championships. A three-year starter in the midfield, she earned U.S. Lacrosse Girls’ High School All-American, ESPN Rise Second Team All-American, and First Team All-Delco and All-Central League honors following her standout junior season. In ESPN’s 2011 top high school girls rankings, Heavens was rated as the No. 1 defender in the nation and as the No. 2 player overall.
An all-around stellar athlete, Heavens has also earned three letters in soccer and four in basketball at Garnet Valley.
During the summer of 2011, Heavens was a member of the Philadelphia Region Under Armour All-American and PASLA Regional Mid-Atlantic Philly #1 Teams. She plays club lacrosse with Brandywine Majors Select under head coach Christy Ann Morello.
Heavens led Garnet Valley to a share of the Central League title and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championship … She was named US lacrosse All-American and All-Phillylacrosse.com … She intends to major in physical therapy or kinesiology…Career plans include becoming a physical therapist and a high school or college level lacrosse coach…Hobbies include running, physical fitness, dancing, music, shopping, scrapbooking, reading magazines, traveling, her beagle, Chester, going to the beach in Sea Isle City, N.J, and spending time with friends and family…Chose Penn State because “it is an exact fit with my academic and athletic goals.”
Missy Doherty on Heavens
“Ally is just a pure athlete. I’m so glad that she chose to play lacrosse at Penn State because she just has tremendous natural ability and it will be exciting to see her grow into an impact collegiate player. She is quick, versatile, and she will not only score goals, but she will also bring a defensive presence to the midfield.”
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