Sept. 8, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head coach Missy Doherty and the Penn State women's lacrosse team have announced the addition of ten newcomers to the class of 2020.
Joining the Nittany Lions this season will be Maria Auth (Street, Md.), Claire Cassie (Westfield, N.J.), Madison Cunningham (Davie, Fla.), Hayley DeAgostine (West Chester, Pa.), Brittany Dolan (Ashburn, Va.), Yasmain Hamood (Hinsdale, Ill.), Kristen Knaff (Exton, Pa.), Shannon Moore (West Chester, Pa.), Kristin Roberto (Miller Place, N.Y.), and Katie Schluederberg (Elkridge, Md.).
Four newcomers garnered U.S. Lacrosse and/or Under Armour All-America honors in high school in Auth, Cunningham, Dolan and Hamood. Three members of the freshman class hail from Pennsylvania while two reside in Maryland and one each from New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia and Florida.
Maria Auth
#26 // Attack // 5'6 // Street, Md. // North Harford // NEMS Lacrosse
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of North Harford High School … four-year member of the women's lacrosse team … Second-Team All-County as a sophomore … back-to-back First-Team All-County recognition as a junior and a senior as well as First-Team All-Conference … US Lacrosse First-team All-American as a junior … two-time Team MVP as a junior and senior … two-time Crab Draw All-Star game MVP in 2015 and 2016 … Under Armour All-America Underclass Champions in 2015 … scored 87 goals as a senior with 20 caused turnovers and 68 draw controls to pace the team in each category … National Honor Society member … two-time Lacrosse Academic All-American … Most Outstanding Female Athlete of her high school graduating class … also played for NEMS Lacrosse for six years.
PERSONAL
Maria Theresa Auth was born September 21, 1998 to Rose and Michael Auth in Harford County, Maryland … has an older sister Gina … anticipated major is Bio Behavioral Health.
AUTH ON PENN STATE
"I chose to attend Penn State because of the world class academics, family atmosphere, and for the opportunity to compete at the highest level athletically."
DOHERTY ON AUTH
"Maria is an extremely skilled attacker with great game sense and scoring ability. We are looking forward to her contributing quickly at the attacking end."
Claire Cassie
#34 // Defense // 5'9 // Westfield, N.J. // Westfield // Building Blocks Lacrosse Club
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of Westfield High School … four-year member of the varsity lacrosse team … served as team captain her senior season … earned Second-team All-Conference laurels as a junior and First-Team as a senior … earned the Friends of Girls Lacrosse Award from the Westfield Boosters Association … was also a member of the cross country team and served as ateam captain … seven-year member of the Building Blocks Lacrosse Club.
PERSONAL
Claire Elizabeth Cassie was born October 9, 1997 in Summit, New Jersey to Beth and Scott Cassie … has an older brother Rob … cousin Abby Shubiger played collegiate basketball at Colgate.
CASSIE ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State for the school spirit, academic offerings and the positivity of the coaching staff."
DOHERTY ON CASSIE
"Claire has great leadership ability at the defensive end, and does a fantastic job thinking ahead of the attacking play. Her communication is great, and she will be a great asset at defense."
#21 // Goalie // 5'6 // Davie, Fla. // St. Thomas Aquinas High School // LaxManiax
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School … four-year member of the women's lacrosse team … named an Under Armour All-American and a US Lacrosse All-American during her senior season … led the team to a 13-4 record as a senior with 181 saves and a 6.2 goals against average … also played four years with the LaxManiax Club team.
PERSONAL
Madison Dianne Cunningham was born on September 30, 1997 to Melinda and Michael Cunningham in Davie, Fla. … has a younger sister Makenna … undecided on a major.
CUNNINGHAM ON PENN STATE
"I choose Penn State because of the family atmosphere and the winning mentality that everyone here has."
DOHERTY ON CUNNINGHAM
"Madison was one of the top goalie prospects in her class and we are looking forward to her competing for the starting goalkeeper position."
#17 // Defense/Midfield // 5'3 // West Chester, Pa. // Henderson // PA Express
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of Henderson High School … four-year member of the varsity team … two-time Second-Team All-Defense … two-time All-Area Team … Second-Team All-League as a senior … received Team MVP Award as a senior … named All-Henderson High School as a senior … leading scorer as a senior (44 goals, 7 assists) … 74 career goals … also a five-year member of PA Express Orange Club team registering 53 goals and 13 assists over her final three seasons.
PERSONAL
Hayley Shea DeAgostine was born January 31, 1998 in West Chester, Pa. to Karen and Frank DeAgostine … has an older brother Nick.
DeAGOSTINE ON PENN STATE
"I chose PSU for its outstanding reputation for academics and sports."
DOHERTY ON DeAGOSTINE
"Hayley is a great worker at the defensive end. We are looking forward to adding her hustle and grit to our defense."
#7 // Defense/Midfield // 5'7 // Ashburn, Va. // Bishop Ireton // Captial Lacrosse Club
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of Bishop Irenton High School … three-year member of the women's lacrosse team … served as team captain her senior season … led her team to a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championship during her sophomore and senior seasons and back-to-back VISAA State Championships in 2014 and 2015 … was a VISAA First-Team All-State member as a senior … WCAC Second-Team All-Conference as a senior … earned team MVP honors as a senior … was a 2016 US Lacrosse All-American honoree … two-time WCAC Honorable Mention … 2016 Inside Lacrosse Committed Division Invitational Standout Player … also played four years for Capital Lacrosse Club.
PERSONAL
Brittany Nicole Dolan was born December 28, 1997 to Stephanie and Tim Dolan in Reston, Va. … she has a younger brother Stephen … intends to major in communications.
DOLAN ON PENN STATE
"Penn State is everything I could ever want in a school, between the education, athletics, size and location of the school, Penn State has it all."
DOHERTY ON DOLAN
"Brittany is a smart defender who can hold out the opponents top attacker. She does a great job at coming up with a big play when needed."
#6 // Midfield // 5'9 // Hinsdale, Ill. // Hinsdale Central // Lakeshore Lacrosse
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of Hinsdale Central … four-year member of the women's lacrosse team … served as team captain as a senior … three-time US Lacrosse High School All-American … three-time All-State selection … US Lacrosse Academic All-American … two-time US Lacrosse National Tournament Team Selection (Midwest Region) … two-time All-Conference member … USA Today, All_USA Girls Illinois Lacrosse team … 2016 Under Armour All-American underclass team … named Inside Lacrosse Magazine Players to Watch for the class of 2016 … also played four years of club for the Lakeshore Lacrosse and one year for Maryland United.
PERSONAL
Yasmain Emily Hamood was born January 27, 1997 to Melissa and Al Hamood in Pasadena, Calif. … has an older brother Alec and a younger sister Alaina … intends on majoring in Marketing.
HAMOOD ON PENN STATE
"I wanted a school with the best in class academics, athletics and lacrosse program, with a big school feel and environment; Penn State and Happy Valley fit the bill perfectly!"
DOHERTY ON HAMOOD
"Yas is an extremely versatile midfielder who just keeps getting better and better. We are looking forward to seeing her in the mix with our returning players."
#25 // Midfield/Attack // 5'6 // Exton, Pa. // Great Valley // Mongoose Lacrosse Club
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of Great Valley High School … four-year member of the women's lacrosse team … led her team to the Chesmont League Championship and District 1 Championship as a junior … was a First-Team All-Chesmont and First-Team All-Area selection as well as an Academic All-American … also a four-year member of the Mongoose Lacrosse Club.
PERSONAL
Kristen Elizabeth Knaff was born on June 5, 1998 to Kim and Chistopher Knaff in Exton, Pa. … has two older sisters Ashley and Jenna … plans to major in Bio-Behavioral Health.
KNAFF ON PENN STATE
"I choose Penn State because of my family's history attending this University."
DOHERTY ON KNAFF
"Kristen is an incredibly strong athlete with great speed. Her athleticism provides her the opportunity to contribute anywhere on the field."
#27 // Midfield // 5'9 // West Chester, Pa. // West Chester East // PA Express Orange
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of West Chester East High School … four-year starter on the lacrosse team … served as a team captain during her junior and senior campaigns …three-time All-Chesmont and All-Area member … named team MVP as a senior … named Most Outstanding Female Athlete of her graduating class … was a four-time All-Chesmont and All-Area soccer player and served as team captain her senior season … also a member of the PA Orange Express for six years.
PERSONAL
Shannon Victoria Moore was born March 31, 1998 to Robin and Dan Moore in Paoli, Pa. … has two older brothers Dan Jr. and Ryan …
MOORE ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State for its outstanding academics, nationally ranked lacrosse program, and large school atmosphere."
DOHERTY ON MOORE
"Shannon is a competitive midfielder who does a great job at both ends and also could contribute on the draw as well. It will be great to see how she continues to develop in Happy Valley."
#4 // Midfield/Defense // 5'3 // Miller Place, N.Y. // Miller Place // Long Island Top Guns Black
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of Miller Place High School on Long Island, New York … four year started on the women's lacrosse team … captained her team to their first playoff win and a second round playoff appearance making history during her senior season … was a 2016 All-County member … selected to the All-Tournament team in the playoffs … received Iron Man Award from her coach in recognition of relentless hustle, determination and overall sacrifice for the benefit of the team … 2015 L.I.M.L.F. Fran McCall Unsung Hero Award recipient … 2014 Suffolk County All-Division Award … 2013 coaches award and outstanding midfield … also a four-year member of the field hockey team, served as team captain as a junior and senior leading the team to league and county championships while being named a Two-Time All-State Player … ran indoor track her junior and senior seasons … also played five years of lacrosse for Long Island Top Guns Black Club winning the 2013 U-15 National Championship.
PERSONAL
Kristin Mary Roberto was born February 24, 1998 in Stony Brook, New York to Dina and Jeff Roberto … has an older brother Jeff and a younger sister Melaina … father played Division III football at SUNY Cortland.
ROBERTO ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State not only for the lacrosse aspect, but for their academics as well. It has everything I always dreamed of in a school. From the school spirit, to the family atmosphere it offers, I knew it was a perfect fit for me."
DOHERTY ON ROBERTO
"Kristen is a super-fast midfielder with great defensive ability. She works extremely hard, and we hope that she can contribute quickly."
#2 // Midfield // 5'5 // Elkridge, Md. // Howard // M&D Black
BEFORE PENN STATE
2016 graduate of Howard High School … four-year starter of the women's lacrosse team … two-year team captain during her junior and senior seasons … led her team to three Division 3A/4A North Regional Championships and three Division 3A/4A State semifinal appearances … earned team MVP as a senior … was a First-Team All-Howard County selection as a junior after scoring 50 goals and adding 22 assists to lead her team … collected First-Team All-Howard County laurels as a senior as well as being named Second-Team Baltimore All-Metro and Washington Post All-Met Team … named Howard High Female Athlete of the Year as a senior … also a senior captain of the women's soccer team earning First-Team All-Howard County … soccer State Finalist as a junior … was a scholar athlete all four years of high school … also a member of the basketball team for three years and the indoor track and field team as a senior winning the County Championship and individually qualifying for the 500 at regionals … also played six years for M&D Black club winning three consecutive Club National Championships and three consecutive Maryland Club Championships.
PERSONAL
Katie Tate Schluederberg was born January 24, 1998 to Holly and Scott Schluederberg in Baltimore, Md. … has a younger sister Kelly … her grandfather Donald Tate played Division I lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University while her father Scoot was a Division III soccer player at DePaw University … intends to major in Bio-Behavioral Health.
SCHLUEDERBERG ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the tradition of excellence in academics and athletics, the family atmosphere it offers and for the alumni support."
DOHERTY ON SCHLUEDERBERG
"Katie is a versatile athlete who can contribute all over the field. She has a great shot, and she isn't afraid to score the big goal when needed."
Penn State enters their 2017 season on the heels of a National Semifinal berth one season ago. It was the first time the Nittany Lions reached the Final Four since 1999. PSU finished the 2016 season ranked fourth in the final IWLCA poll.