UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State women's lacrosse announces 12 signees on National Signing Day. This class of future Nittany Lions span the country with athletes coming from Vermont, North Carolina, New York, Connecticut, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
DAKOTA CRISTO
Cristo is a dual threat in the midfield and on defense. She has played for St. Ignatius College Preparatory for three seasons and enters her fourth in 2024. The California native helped lead the team to the Central Coast Championship in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023.
DOHERTY ON CRISTO
"Dakota is a tenacious and gritty midfielder who is always involved in hustle plays all over the field. Her versatility will be a huge asset to our midfield."
SUMMER HARRELL
Harrell is a midfielder from Sandy Hook, Ct. where she is on pace to graduate from Newton High School in 2024. She has spent three seasons as a part of the women's lacrosse program and enters her fourth season as a senior. Harrell helped lead the team to the 2023 SWC Championship. Last season she was named a conference MVP and an All-American.
DOHERTY ON HARRELL
"Summer is a super athletic and dynamic lefty midfielder. She uses her quick and shifty style of play to be a force to be reckoned with on the field."
ARDEN JANSEN
Jansen is Pennsylvania native from Newton Square. The goalie has spent two years on the Radnor High School Varsity Lacrosse team. In her rookie season at The Westtown School, she was named the Defensive MVP and earned a spot on first team All-Friend League. After transferring to Radnor, she was named to second team All-Central League, second team All-Delco and earned a spot on the PASLA All-Academic team in 2023. This year, Jansen also rostered on the New Balance All-America Philly Highlight Team.
DOHERTY ON JANSEN
"Arden is a quick and agile goalie who is going to be a great presence between the pipes. She has incredible vision for seeing the ball and coming up with big saves in big moments!"
ALEXA KAIRIS
Kairis is a native of West Lawn, Pa. and attends Wilson West Lawn High School. The attacker is a four-year member of the women's lacrosse program where she has made major contributions. She earned the 100-goal award in 2022 after scoring 115 goals combined between her first two seasons. In 2023, Kairis notched 62 goals and 15 assists. She is also a two-time NXT Showcase MVP.
DOHERTY ON KAIRIS
"Alexa is a fast and athletic attacker whose speed creates many scoring opportunities and caused turnovers in the ride. Her ability to get herself open and finish under pressure will be a great addition to our team!"
BROOKE LATTANZI
Lattanzi is a midfielder from Waxhaw, N.C. where she attends Marvin Ridge High School. She has been a standout performer for the women's lacrosse team for three seasons and made major contributions during her sophomore and junior season. In 2022 she ended the season with 78 goals, 22 assist and earned spots on the All-Conference and All-State teams. Lattanzi repeated in her most recent season on both teams, scoring 71 goals and notching 17 assists.
DOHERTY ON LATTANZI
"Brooke is a very well-rounded and powerful lefty, two-way midfielder. We are looking forward to her strength and skill making an impact on both ends of the field for us!"
BROOKE LONG
A midfielder from Melville, N.Y., Long is set to graduate from St. Anthony's in the spring of 2024. She is a four-year member of the women's lacrosse team and won the Catholic Championship in 2023. For her performance during the Championship game, Long was named an MVP.
DOHERTY ON LONG
"Brooke is a gritty and tenacious midfielder whose versatility will translate greatly at the next level. Her work ethic and willingness to go 100% at all times will help contribute to our success."
ALLIE MEYER
A midfielder from West Chester, Pa., Meyer attends Villa Maria Academy High School. During her junior season, she notched 25 goals, eight assists, 36 ground balls, 37 caused turnovers and 98 draw controls and led the team to the 2023 AACA Championship. Meyer earned AACA first team, All Main Line second team and Daily Local News All Area second team in 2023. The future Nittany Lion also helped the team to win the 2021 and 2022 AACA Championship. Meyer played club lacrosse for Ultimate Lacrosse.
DOHERTY ON MEYER
"Allie is versatile two-way midfielder whose vision and understanding of the game has led to her success on both the offensive and defensive ends of the ball. Her communication and knowledge of the game will make a positive impact on our team!"
MAGGIE REZZA
Rezza is another Pennsylvania native from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa. She enters her fourth season as a part of the women's lacrosse program in 2024. Rezza helped her team to win the League Championship in 2021 and 2022. In her most recent season in 2023, the team won the District 1 2A Championship. Rezza was named a League All-Star in 2022 and 2023.
DOHERTY ON REZZA
"Maggie is a true competitor. Her athleticism and vision allow her to come up with huge caused turnovers and impactful hustle plays. Her willingness to take risks and play aggressively has led her to be a constant impact player."
PORTER RHOADES
Porter Rhoades joins the Nittany Lions along with her father Mike Rhoades, the new Penn State men's basketball head coach. Rhoades, who currently resides in Richmond, Va., attends St. Catherine's School where she is a four-year member of the women's lacrosse program. During her rookie season, she was a first team All-Conference, first team All-State and first team All-Metro selection. In Rhoades' most recent campaign in 2023, she repeated on the All-LIS team and earned a spot on the second team All-State and All-Metro team.
DOHERTY ON RHOADES
"Porter is an energetic and dominant low attacker. Her passion, knowledge, and competitive edge for the game will help continue to create a potent offense here at Penn State!"
AVA STUMMER
Stummer is a defender from Arlington, Ohio. She is on pace to graduate from Upper Arlington and will begin her senior season on the varsity lacrosse team in 2024. Before missing the 2023 season due to injury, Stummer notched seven goals, three assists and 22 draws controls in 19 games. She helped lead her team to the OHSAA Division I State Finals where they were the runner ups in 2022. The team went on to win the Championship in 2023.
DOHERTY ON STUMMER
"Ava is a steady, smart, and speedy low defender. Her skill and pressure on ball, in addition to her communication will help her transition to the college level seamlessly on the defensive end!"
VICTORIA TOMONTO
Tomonto is an attacking midfielder from Boca Raton, Fla. She is set to graduate from American Heritage High School in the spring of 2024. As a four-year member of the women's lacrosse program, she has helped lead the team to two State Championships in 2020 and 2022.
DOHERTY ON TOMONTO
"Victoria will be an asset in the midfield and attacking end. She has a knack for finding the ball and putting it in the back of the net. Her vision and awareness off ball will continue to create a ton of huge plays for us on game day."
ELLIE WISCH
Wisch is an attacker from Berwyn, Pa. She is a four-year member of the women's lacrosse program at Conestoga High School. Wisch began her career with a stellar rookie season, scoring 57 goals and helping her team to the Central League Championship. In 2022, her team repeated as Central League Champions and also won the District Championship and 3A State Championship to complete the triple crown. For her performance in the State Championship game, she was named the MVP. During her junior season, Wisch totaled 57 goals and was named the MVP Attacker while leading her team to the Central League Championship. She was named to first team All-Area and All-Central League as well as second team All-Main Line. The Pennsylvania native also earned U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American honors.
DOHERTY ON WISCH
"Ellie is a smart and strong attacker with a wicked shot. Her size, skill, and shooting accuracy are what sets her apart and will continue to allow her to excel at the next level."
