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Field Hockey Announces Signing of Three Top Recruits to Letters of Intent

Dec. 1, 2016

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State field hockey has received National Letters of Intent from three signees, head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss announced Monday. The class, which will begin participation in the 2017-18 academic year, will be joining a field hockey team that went 17-3 last season and captured their conference leading seventh Big Ten Tournament Championship en route to the programs 31st-NCAA Postseason appearance - tied for second best in the NCAA.

"We are very excited to welcome our three talented signees and their families to Penn State University and our field hockey family!" said Morett-Curtiss.

"These three women share a strong desire to represent Penn State Field Hockey with a strong commitment to both academics and athletics. Collectively they are a very speedy class with a lot of offensive potential!"

Clayre Smith
Honesdale High School
Honesdale, Pa.

Highlights: Smith was a four-year letter winner for coach Carly Propst at Honesdale High School. A team captain during her senior year, Smith was named to Times New Leader All Star First-Team and WVC Coaches All Star First-Team. Smith earned team MVP honors during her junior season. A dual sport-athlete, Smith was a two-year letter winner on the track & field team, Smith recorded a seventh-place finish at the conference meet in the 1,600-meters.

Morett-Curtiss on Smith: "Clayre is a player we noticed right away for her tenacity on the field. She has a great vision of the field and is able to set up her teammates around the cage. Her offensive skill set is extremely varied in her shot selections and ability to put the ball in the goal. Clayre is relentless in her work ethic and is always seeking ways to improve her skills, strength and fitness. Clayre comes from a very athletic family where her brothers were successful wrestlers on the collegiate level. We look forward to seeing Clayre develop into an offensive threat during her time at Penn State!"

Emma Spisak
Boiling Springs High School
Boiling Springs, Pa.

Highlights: Spisak wrapped up a four-year playing career having started 68 games, scoring 38 goals and recording 41 assist during her prep career. Spisak earned First-Team All-Mid Penn conference honors during her sophomore and junior seasons as well as earning Patriot News Big 11 First-Team Region honors. A varsity starter freshman through junior year (ACL surgery), Spisak team qualify for states all four years, earned a district medal all four years and won the Colonial Division all four years. A dual-sport athlete, Spisak is a member of the school record 4x100-meter relay team and qualified for the state track meet in the 4x100-meter relay, 4x400-meter relay and individually in the 200-meters.

Morett-Curtiss on Spisak: "When you first see Emma play you immediately notice her speed and skill! As an explosive forward, Emma finds the open space and opens up the accelerator to goal. She is a player that can create a shot or distribute the ball for an assist heading into the circle. Emma easily transitions from offense to defense by putting immediate and sustained pressure on the ball which often leads to a quick and dangerous counterattack. Emma is from a wrestling family as well, explaining her toughness as she is currently way ahead of her rehabilitation from an ACL injury in August. We know that she will be at 100% and raring to go this summer!"

Sydney Dreisigmeyer
Lower Dauphin High School
Hummelstown, Pa.

Highlights: Dreisigmeyer capped a three-year playing career that saw her start 32 games scoring 33 goals and recording 25 assist. A Mid Penn Keystone Honorable Mention selection and 2016 Penn Live All Star, Dreisigmeyer helped her team capture 2013 Mid Penn Championship, 2013 District III Championship, 2013 PIAA 3A State Championship, 2014 Mid Penn Championship, and 2014 District Championship. Dreisigmeyer was also a '13-'14 Keystone State Tournament gold medalist and MVP.

Morett-Curtiss on Dreisigmeyer: "Syd has been involved year-after-year in a very successful Lower Dauphin High School program. Her team just recently lost in the Pennsylvania State Semi-Final game. Syd is another player who has raw speed and a competitive nature to be an offensive threat. She has a great sense of the game heading into the attacking 25 and will look to put the ball in scoring position for her teammates. She has a very quick release on her shot to goal that often catches goalies off guard. Syd is also always hovering around the cage looking to put away a rebound or to tip a shot. We know that Syd will certainly add speed and skill to our offensive line!"