Aug. 18, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Less than a week before students return to campus, Penn State women's lacrosse head coach Missy Doherty announced that nine newcomers will join the Nittany Lions this year on Tuesday. Included are eight freshmen and a sophomore transfer.
New to Happy Valley are Mackenzie Bori (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Kayla Brisolari (Crofton, Md.), Madison Carter (Davidsonville, Md.), Bridget Chakey (Havertown, Pa.), Emily Coyne (Royersford, Pa.), Kelly Daggett (Bainbridge, Pa.), Reilly Masterson (Newtown Square, Pa.), Delaney Muldoon (Silver Spring, Md.) and Alexis Phillips (Riva, Md.).
"This group is really dynamic, and provides a lot of athleticism in every position," Doherty said. "We are really excited for them to start their careers in Happy Valley."
Seven of the nine new Nittany Lions earned U.S Lacrosse and/or Under Armour All-America honors in high school. All nine are from the Mid-Atlantic region. In all, four members of the recruiting class hail from Pennsylvania as well as Maryland, while the ninth is from New Jersey.
Mackenzie Bori
#19 // 5-8 // Attack/Midfield // Basking Ridge, N.J. // Ridge // T3 Lacrosse
BEFORE PENN STATE
Lettered four years at Ridge High School, earning three Somerset County championships (2012-14) ... Scored 191 goals and 25 assists in high school, earning All-Skyland Conference and MSG All-State First Team senior year ... Picked up 178 ground balls ... Led team as captain senior year ... Played five years of club ball with T3 Lacrosse.
PERSONAL
Mackenzie Julia Bori was born Oct. 16, 1996 in Basking Ridge, N.J. to William and Eileen Bori ... Older brother, Kirk, graduated from Penn State in 2013 ... Intends to have a career in education upon graduation.
BORI ON PENN STATE
"I have wanted to go to Penn State since I was a little girl and my brother just graduated so it is an honor to be keeping it in the family."
DOHERTY ON BORI
"Mackenzie is a talented attacker who has a great shot. We are looking forward to her development, and hopefully scoring some goals for us in Happy Valley!"
Kayla Brisolari
#18 // 5-8 // Midfield // Crofton, Md. // Archbishop Spalding // Integrity Lacrosse
BEFORE PENN STATE
Earned U.S. Lacrosse All-America honors, was named IAAM All-Conference and Washington Post All-Metro Second Team senior year as team captain ... Named a two-time U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American ... Earned second-team All-County honors junior year ... Played in the 2014 Under Armour Underclass D.C. Tournament ... Played five years of club lacrosse for Integrity Lacrosse ... Lettered four years in field hockey, earning All-County First Team, IAAM All-Conference and honorable mention All-State senior year as team captain.
PERSONAL
Kayla Rose Brisolari was born April 16, 1997 in West Nyack, N.Y. to Robert and Kelly Brisolari ... Twin brother, Matt, plays lacrosse at Providence College; has two younger brothers, Brendan and Connor ... Mother, Kelly, competed in track & field and father, Robert, played football, at Fordham University ... High school teammates with fellow freshman Alexis Phillips.
BRISOLARI ON PENN STATE
I chose Penn State because it is a big, yet close-knit community with a lot of academic opportunity."
DOHERTY ON BRISOLARI
"Kayla is a strong, fast athlete who has limitless potential. With the vacant midfield positions, we are hoping she steps in and plays confidently and aggressively to fill those holes."
Madison Carter
#24 // 5-8 // Attack/Midfield // Davidsonville, Md. // South River // Maryland United
BEFORE PENN STATE
Lettered four years at South River High School ... As a senior, earned Under Armour All-America Lacrosse nomination and served as team captain ... Named school's 2015 Female Athlete of the Year ... As a junior in 2014, had a standout season earning U.S. Lacrosse All-America and Academic All-America honors ... Named to the All-County, Maryland Capital Gazette All-County First Team, Washington Post honorable mention All-Metro and named team's MVP, while serving as team captain ... In 2013 as a sophomore was named All-County and Maryland Capital Gazette All-County Second Team ... Played six years with Maryland United Lacrosse Club ... Lettered four years in volleyball earning All-County honors all four seasons ... Was a two-time captain for the volleyball team.
PERSONAL
Madison Livia Carter was born Sept. 18, 1997 in Annapolis, Md. to Maureen and Brett Carter, who played volleyball and basketball, respectively, at Salisbury University ... Has two younger sisters, Melanie and Morgan.
CARTER ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State for the balance of great academics and athletics along with the whole school atmosphere."
DOHERTY ON CARTER
"Madison is an outstanding player who is ready to contribute quickly. She does a great job on the draw, and we are looking forward to seeing how she develops at the attacking end."
Bridget Chakey
#14 // 5-5 // Midfield // Havertown, Pa. // Agnes Irwin School // Syracuse // Phantastix Purple
2015 AS A FRESHMAN AT SYRACUSE
Appeared in two games, both against Canisius (Feb. 7, Feb. 15), attempting one shot ... Syracuse captured the ACC Tournament title and reached the NCAA Semifinals.
BEFORE COLLEGE
2014 U.S. Lacrosse All-America First Team selection ... Earned first-team All-Delco, All-Main Line and All-Inter-AC as a senior ... Tallied 58 goals, 77 assists, 36 ground balls senior year... Ended career as Agnes Irwin's career leader in assists (133) ... Finished high school career with 211 helpers ... Team was league co-champions and state runner up in 2014 ... Received Unsung Hero Award .... Named Maxesposure All-Star Rising Junior ... Two-time team captain ... Also a member of the cross country and basketball teams ... Served as Agnes Irwin Student Body President.
PERSONAL
Bridget Anne Chakey was born March 8, 1996 in Havertown, Pa. to Jim and Clare Chakey ... Has an older brother, James, who is a senior on the Penn State men's lacrosse team ... Majoring in education with the intent to be a school teacher.
CHAKEY ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the outstanding academic and athletic opportunities as well as the one-of-a-kind team atmosphere."
DOHERTY ON CHAKEY
"We are so excited that Bridget is joining us from Syracuse. She is an amazing athlete, and we are looking forward to contributing quickly at either the midfield or attacking end."
Emily Coyne
#7 // 5-8 // Midfield // Royersford, Pa. // Spring-Ford // Dynamite
BEFORE PENN STATE
Four-year letterwinner in lacrosse at Spring-Ford High School ... Tallied 42 goals and 37 assists in final three years ... Earned the W.D. Gadzicki Award for outstanding work ethic, leadership and dedication senior year ... Named All-Conference First Team midfielder senior year, while earning same award in defense junior year ... Earned the Academic Achievement Award and distinguished honors all four years ... Played five seasons with Dynamite Lacrosse.
PERSONAL
Emily Anne Coyne was born July 17, 1996 in Wyomissing, Pa. to Henry and Linda Coyne ... Has an older brother, Hank, who is a junior football player at Juniata College ... Father, Henry, played football at Juniata ... Intends to major in pre-law.
COYNE ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the exceptional opportunities offered both academically and athletically as well as the post-graduate success rate."
DOHERTY ON COYNE
"Emily has great speed, and also has the potential to contribute at either midfield or defense. She is a smart, hardworking player and we are looking forward to her development."
Kelly Daggett
#11 // 5-4 // Attack // Bainbridge, Pa. // Lancaster Catholic // NEMS
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played four seasons for Lancaster Catholic-Lancaster Country Day co-op squad ... Named a two-time U.S. Lacrosse All-American and to the Under Armour Underclass All-America squad ... Named Lancaster/Lebanon Player of the Year in 2015 ... Four-time Lancaster/Lebanon All-Star ... Named two-time PennLive.com Big 15 Selection as a junior and senior ... Tallied 380 career goals ... Also lettered in field hockey, soccer and basketball.
PERSONAL
Kelly Shea Daggett was born June 12, 1996 in Lancaster, Pa. to Tom and Marty Daggett ... Has an older brother, Trent and an older sister, Casey, who play collegiate lacrosse at Liberty (club) and Messiah (D-III), respectively ...
DAGGETT ON PENN STATE
"Penn State athletics has always been a huge part of my life: from football games to taking trips to watch women's athletics in action, being a part of the Penn State family has always been a dream. As I grew to know more about the incredible balance of excellent athletics and academics that PSU offers, I realized there was no place I wanted to spend my college years at more than in Happy Valley."
DOHERTY ON DAGGETT
"Kelly is a crafty, smart attacker who has a great attacking IQ. She is not only a great shooter, but a great assister as well. She will fit right in with our eclectic attack."
Reilly Masterson
#36 // 5-6 // Attack/Midfield // Newtown Square, Pa. // Radnor // Ultimate Goal Lacrosse
BEFORE PENN STATE
Earned U.S. Lacrosse All-America senior year ... Named to All-Central League junior and senior seasons ... Earned All-Main Line First Team senior year and Second Team junior year ... Member of Central League champions and PIAA finalists sophomore year at Radnor ... Played seven years for Ultimate Goal Lacrosse.
PERSONAL
Reilly Bennett Masterson was born April 15, 1997 in Bryn Mawr, Pa. to Doss and Pete Masterson ... Has a younger brother, Jack, and a younger sister, Peyton ... Father, Pete, played lacrosse at Villanova, and mother, Doss, lettered in lacrosse and field hockey at Lafayette.
MASTERSON ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because it had everything I was looking for in a school and it was a perfect fit for me."
DOHERTY ON MASTERSON
"Reilly is a versatile player who could fill many roles on the field. She has a good stick, quick moves and she could be an asset at any position."
Delaney Muldoon
#32 // 5-11 // Midfield // Silver Spring, Md. // Academy of the Holy Cross // MC Elite
BEFORE PENN STATE
Earned U.S. Lacrosse All-America First Team, U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-America and USA Today Honorable Mention All-America senior year ... Earned Washington Post All-Met Second Team senior year while leading team to No. 4 national ranking according to Lacrosse Magazine ... Named All-WCAC First Team, All-Capital Gazette First Team and team captain junior and senior years ... Honorable Mention All-WCAC sophomore year ... Lettered in soccer and basketball ... Earned a pair of All-WCAC and team MVP honors, while serving as team captain in soccer ... Named All-State First Team and All-Capital Gazette First Team senior year in soccer ... Honorable Mention All-WCAC in basketball ... Played two club years for MC Elite Lacrosse.
PERSONAL
Delaney Claire Muldoon was born Nov. 4, 1996 in Silver Spring, Md. to Lynn and Peter Muldoon ... Has two sisters, Emily and Mary ... Father, Peter, was an All-ECAC quarterback at Holy Cross before playing in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Concordes (1985) ... Intends to major in special education with career plans in occupational therapy.
MULDOON ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the strong academics, athletic excellence, and its family-oriented community."
DOHERTY ON MULDOON
"Delaney is a great athlete, and we are ready for her to contribute at either the midfield or attacking end. She has a great touch with the ball and is an extremely smart player."
Alexis Phillips
#3 // 5-6 // Midfield/Defense // Riva, Md. // Archbishop Spalding // Maryland United
BEFORE PENN STATE
Standout senior season consisted of 52 goals, 27 assists and 108 ground balls ... Named Under Armour Senior All-American, Washington Post All-Met First Team and All-County senior year ... Earned Under Armour Under Class Elite honor for the Washington area and an All-County nod junior year ... Played eight years for Maryland United.
PERSONAL
Alexis Ann Phillips was born April 17, 1997 in Annapolis, Md. to Mark and Colleen Phillips ... Has an older brother, Zac ... Volunteers with the SPCA as a foster parent to dogs ... High school teammates with fellow freshman Kayla Brisolari.
PHILLIPS ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State for the education, the great opportunity to play lacrosse and I have always wanted to go to a big school."
DOHERTY ON PHILLIPS
"Alexis is a worker, who makes many unsung plays. We have lost some significant midfielders due to graduation, and we are excited to see how Alexis develops as a collegiate midfielder."
Penn State enters 2016 on the heels of its Big Ten Tournament title and a third appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals in the past four seasons. Doherty collected three coach of the year honors (Big Ten, IWLCA West/Midwest Region and ECAC) for guiding her team to the most wins (16) since 1989 and a final IWLCA ranking of fifth.