Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/27/12
From Press Release
University of Delaware women’s lacrosse head coach Kateri Linville has announced her third recruiting class with seven high school standouts signing the National Letters of Intent.
The group includes Mary Abram (Ursuline Academy/Wilmington, Del.), Kirsten Hale (Great Valley HS/Malvern, Pa.), Morgan Miller (Woodgrove HS/Round Hill, Va.), Sam Moore (Archbishop Carroll HS/Media, Pa.), Coley Ricci (Garnet Valley HS/Glen Mills, Pa.), Jamie Schwartz (Mt. Hebron HS/Ellicott City, Md.) and Shelby Wells (St. Paul’s School for Girls/Timonium, Md.).
“The program continues to gain momentum as a result of our coaching staff’s ability to attract and sign talented competitors who buy into the championship vision,” said Linville. “This group loves the University and is eager to return the lacrosse program to national prominence.”
Abram has been a two-year starter in lacrosse at Ursuline Academy and earned second team All-State honors as a junior in 2012. An honor student, she also competes in basketball and volleyball. She is a two-time All-Catholic League selection and a second team All-State pick in basketball and has led her team to two conference titles and a state championship in 2012. In volleyball, she was a member of a team that captured the state championship her freshman year and finished as state runner-up earlier this month.
“Mary is an outstanding athlete,” said Linville. “Her strength, speed, and quickness makes her dynamic in every sport she plays. She has already won several high school championships on Delaware’s campus. We are excited to have one of the top athletes in the state become an impact player in our program.”
A standout midfielder Great Valley High School, Hale led her team to a record of 22-1 and a berth in the Pennsylvania state tournament in 2012. An All-Ches-Mont League performer, she also scored the game-winning goal as Pennsylvania defeated New Jersey in the Brine National Lacrosse Classic in July in Maryland.
“Kirsten is a work-horse midfielder,” said Linville. “She is a gritty player known to cause turnovers and collect groundballs. Her speed and quickness will add depth to our midfield unit. She will be relied upon to make impact plays all over the field.”
A three-year standout at Woodgrove High School, Miller earned all-district honors in 2012 and already holds the school record for groundballs in a single game and season. She has led her teams to outstanding success with Woodgrove winning district titles in both 2011 and 2012 and advancing to the state quarterfinals both seasons. Miller is also a member of the volleyball team and has served as Varsity Club President.
“Morgan is an outstanding athlete,” noted Linville. “What distinguishes her as a top performer is her speed, quickness, and competitive spirit. Her athleticism combined with her desire to be the best is likely to make her a versatile player and contributor in her first year.”
A three-year letterwinner in lacrosse, Moore has already been selected as captain of her team this spring. She is a two-time All-Delaware County selection, earning honorable mention honors as a freshman and second team laurels as a sophomore. She also has competed in indoor track & field and soccer. Moore is an honor roll student and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
“Sam loves the game,” stated Linville. “She always has a stick in her hand, which explains her outstanding skill set. Her speed and stick skills, make her a game-changer. Sam will be looked upon to control the draw, cause turnovers, and convert goals.”
An outstanding defender, Ricci has led Garnet Valley to the state title each of the past two seasons and led the squad to a record of 25-3 in 2012. She earned first team All-Delaware County and All-Phillylacrosse.com High Honorable mention honors in 2012 after finishing the year with 39 groundballs, 34 caused turnovers, and 50 draw controls.
“Coley is an athlete and a playmaker,” said Linville. “She is known for her ability to collect groundballs and draw controls. A positive communicator in the defensive end, Coley is a proven leader. She is likely to make an immediate impact in her first year.”
An outstanding player at Mt. Hebron High School in a hotbed of lacrosse, Schwartz has been a two-year starter at attack and led the county in assists as a junior in 2012 when the team advanced to the state semifinals. She is an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. She has also competed in soccer and basketball at Mt. Hebron.
“Jamie is a skilled attacker,” stated Linville. “Jamie’s vision and ability to feed and finish is what distinguishes her as a top attacker. Jamie is likely to make an immediate impact in our offensive unit as a lefty quarterback.”
A fourth-year starter at midfield this spring, Wells has appeared in 55 career games at St. Paul’s. A two-time team captain, she was named to the Towson Times Girls All-Star Lacrosse team in both 2011 and 2012 and was a 2012 Under Armour Underclassmen All-American. An honor student at St. Paul’s, she also competes for the cross country and swimming and diving teams. She was a four-year starter in both sports, was the cross country team’s top runner in 2012, and led the swimming team to the IAAM B Conference title in 2010 when she placed sixth in the freestyle.
“Shelby will add speed and skill to our transition game and our settled attack,” stated Linville. “As a lefty dodger, she will add versatility to our attack unit. Shelby will be relied upon to make an immediate impact in our attack.”
Delaware will begin another challenging 2013 slate on Feb. 16 when the Blue Hens take on Big East power Georgetown at Delaware Stadium. The complete 2013 schedule will be announced later this month.
