UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team has announced the signing of an excellent group of student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLIs). Five new players will be joining head coach Char Morett-Curtiss and the Nittany Lions next fall.
The newest group of Nittany Lions will include Kate Crist (Limerick, Pa.), Sophia Gladieux (Boyertown, Pa.), Julia Lamb (Phoenixville, Pa.), Caroline Myers (Hartland, Wis.) and Drew Taylor (Coatesville, Pa.).
Kate Crist – Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford High School
Kate Crist will come to Happy Valley having completed an outstanding career at Spring-Ford High School. Crist was a first-team All-State selection this past season and earned first-team All-Area for the second straight year. Voted team captain as a junior and senior, Crist was also first-team All-PAC Liberty Division twice. Crist was a four-year letter winner and played in the Philadelphia Field Hockey Senior All-Star game. Crist is an Honor Roll student at Spring-Ford. The daughter of Wendy and Jeff Crist, Kate is considering a bio-behavioral Health major at Penn State.
Morett-Curtiss on Crist: "Kate comes to Penn State as a true defender. Her patience on defense is impressive as she is very composed when setting up a tackle. Kate brings a quick transition game to almost every situation by looking up field immediately upon gaining possession and can start a dangerous counter attack. She has the speed and vision to continue to support the ball in the attacking end. We look for her to be a dynamic transition player."
Sophia Gladieux – Boyertown, Pa./Oley Valley High School
Sophia Gladieux brings a lengthy list of accolades with her from Boyertown's Oley Valley High School, including being a three-time NFHCA High School First Team All-American. Gladieux earned first team All-State honors for four-straight seasons and has been one of Pennsylvania's most dominant players over the last four years. Gladieux was the Berks County Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons as well. With numerous all-region, all-conference and all-county laurels in hand, Gladieux was also MAX Field Hockey National Top 2020 Top 10 selection. Gladieux helped lead Oley Valley to two state title games and numerous district and league championships. The daughter of Lynn and Bernard Gladieux, she is undecided on a potential major as she heads to Penn State.
Morett-Curtiss on Gladieux: "Sophia is an incredible all-around player due to her impressive skill set that consists of deception, quickness and accuracy. When you watch her play the first thing you notice is her creative stickwork, and the second thing is her lethal backhand shot. With all that individual talent, Sophia is a playmaker and a strong distributor in the midfield. We look for her to be an effective and dangerous attacker next season."
Julia Lamb – Phoenixville, Pa./Owen J. Roberts High School
Julia Lamb comes to Penn State after a stellar career at Owen J. Roberts High School. Lamb was a first team All-State selection this past year after earning both PAC All-Conference and all-area laurels. Lamb was a team captain this past season and was a four-year starter. She led her squad to the state tournament during the last three seasons, earning numerous all-conference and all-area honors. Lamb played in the Philadelphia Senior All-Star game and is a member of the National Honors Society. The daughter of Jeannette and Jim Lamb, she is considering a kinesiology major at Penn State.
Morett-Curtiss on Lamb: "Julia has really developed into a crafty midfielder this past year. She has consistent fundamental skills and is a true playmaker. In addition, she has gained greater confidence in her individual attacking game and is now a serious threat out of the midfield. Julia plays with tremendous composure and rarely turns the ball over. She has the versatility to play on either side of the field effectively."
Caroline Myers – Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead High School
Caroline Myers, sister of current Nittany Lion Abby Myers, will trek to Happy Valley from Hartland, Wis., and Arrowhead High School. Myers earned first team All-Conference honors this past season after earning second-team laurels as a junior. Myers helped guide her squad to three Wisconsin State Title games. A balanced player Myers averaged over 20 points per season during her career for Arrowhead and was team captain as a senior. The daughter of Melissa and Dave Myers, Caroline is considering a health policy and administration major at Penn State.
Morett-Curtiss on Myers: "Caroline is a player that we've had an eye on ever since her sister Abby came to play for us. Caroline has impressive stick skills in a small space and can really attack the baseline in front of the goal. Her speed and quickness on the ball make her a dangerous scoring threat. She works hard off the ball and has a good vision of the field to set up players around her. Caroline also has the versatility to play various line positions and be effective in any spot."
Drew Taylor – Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville High School
Drew Taylor will come to Penn State after an outstanding high school career at Coatesville High School. Taylor was a first-team All-Chestmont selection this past season, earning the honor of the second straight year. A four-year starter for Coatesville, Taylor was a second-team all-conference honoree as a sophomore and earned honorable mention laurels as a freshman. Taylor was selected to play in the Philadelphia Field Hockey Senior All-Star Game this past year. The daughter of Doreen and George Taylor, Drew will look at a potential dermatology major at Penn State.
Morett-Curtiss on Taylor: "Drew is a very strong player on the ball. She has the ability to be extremely effective on the right side of the field with her speed and ability to set up players around the goal. Once in the circle Drew is a threat to score through creative shot selection or simply redirecting on a tip. The combination of her speed and strength will be a hand-full for opposing defenders."
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
