Women’s Lacrosse Adds Eight on 2024 National Signing Day

A/M | HOLLADAY, UTAH | OLYMPUS

Alongside her twin sister, Sarah, Anné helped her high school team to a 51-4 overall record in three seasons, winning two Utah Women's 5A State Champioships (2022, 2024) and posting a runner-up season in 2023. She tallied 98 goals and 53 assists in 45 career appearances. Just as effective in defensive situations, Anné had 21 cuased turnovers and 80 groundballs across her career. In just her junior season, she posted 73 points on 45 goals and 28 assists. For her efforts, the attacker earned second team all-state honors and first-team all-region honors in 2024.

FOLLOW LIZZIE ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @lizzie._anne

WHY PENN STATE?

"I choose Penn State to have the opportunity to play in the Big Ten under an amazing coaching staff with some of the best players in the country. Penn State offers highacademics and elite athletics to create the perfect college experience."

COACH DOHERTY ON ANNÉ

“We are looking forward to Lizzie bringing her skill and competitiveness to our attacking end. She sees the field extremely well and will be a great addition to our offense.”

D/M | HOLLADAY, UTAH | OLYMPUS

Alongside her twin sister, Lizzie, Anné helped her high school team to a 51-4 overall record in three seasons, winning two Utah Women's 5A State Champioships (2022, 2024) and posting a runner-up season in 2023. She tallied 167 goals and 116 assists in 53 career appearances. In her sophomore and junior seasons, she led Region 6 in assists and points. As her high school career has continued, she has taken an increased number of draws for her team, winning 279 in the three seasons. For her efforts, the midfielder is a three-time all-state honoree, including first team honors in 2023 annd 2024. After being named the 2024 Utah State Playoff MVP, USA Lacrosse named her an All-American.

FOLLOW SARAH ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @sarahaanne_

WHY PENN STATE?

"I chose Penn State because of the team culture, high level academics and having the opportunity to compete with my twin sister in the Big Ten under such an incredible coaching staff."

COACH DOHERTY ON ANNÉ

“Sarah has great skills and vision and is the ultimate team player. Her versatility as an athlete and lacrosse player will be a huge asset all over the field.”

M | WINSTON SALEM, N.C. | BISHOP MCGUINNESS

In three seasons, Dennen is a three-time all-conference honoree, working her way towards a first-state all-state recognition in 2024. The past two years, she has helped guide her team to consecutive state championship appearances and back-to-back regional championships. The midfielder is a three-time conference champion and was named the Bishop McGuinness Female Athlete of the Year in 2024.

FOLLOW KATE ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @katedennen

WHY PENN STATE?

"I was drawn to Penn State’s electric community of school spirit and the student-athlete atmosphere here."

COACH DOHERTY ON DENNEN

“Kate is a versatile midfielder who works extremely hard in everything she does. She asserts herself no matter where she is on the field and we are excited for her to make an impact in Happy Valley.”

G | WEST ILSLIP, N.Y. | WEST ILSLIP

Gagliardi is a two-time Suffolk County Champion (2023, 2024) and helped lead her team to a 2024 Long Island Championship. The goalkeeper, who served as team captain last year, was named to the 2022 and 2024 Playoff All-Tournament Team. In her junior season, she was named all-county. In addition to her lacrosse prowess, she also plays varsity soccer and basketball.

FOLLOW MAKENNA ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @makenna.gagliardi

WHY PENN STATE?

"I chose Penn State because of the high level of lacrosse and academics, as well as the amazing school spirit."

COACH DOHERTY ON GAGLIARDI

“Makenna is a brick wall in the cage and brings great energy and presence to the goalkeeper position. We are looking forward to her making some huge saves at Panzer field.”

M | HOPKINTON, N.H. | PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY

Hoyt is a two-time All-NEPSAC Class A honoree in her two seasons at Phillips Exeter Academy. Her junior season, she was recognized for her midfielder work by being named a USA Lacrosse All-American and was named to the New England highlight team. In 2022, she helped her team to an HHS D3 Championship, and in 2023 and 2024, she led her team to a PEA championship game appearance at the Prep Cup.

FOLLOW HANNAH ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @hannahhoyt_9

WHY PENN STATE?

"Penn State is what I dreamed of when I thought of being a student athlete in college for somayn years. From the moment I first arrived in Happy Valley, the people, the place, and the culture made me feel like I had found my future home."

COACH DOHERTY ON HOYT

“Hannah has emerged as an extremely talented player who can contribute anywhere on the field. She is a great teammate, student and player and she will quickly be an asset to our line up.”

A | MILTON, GA. | MILTON

A three-time GHSA 7A state champion, Mellinger has helped guide her team to a combined 58-9 record in three seasons. Starting all three years, she has accumulated 215 points on 125 goals and 90 assists. For all three seasons, the attacker led her position group in points. In 2023 and 2024, she was named first-team all-state and received a USA Lacrosse All-American nod in the latter.

FOLLOW ANNA ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @anna.mell11

WHY PENN STATE?

"I chose Penn State because from the moment I first visited, I could tell that the team, coaches, campus, traditions, and university spirit were the right fit for me. I have wanted to play collegiate lacrosse ever since middle school and playing for a school with top athletics and academics, like Penn State, was my dream."

COACH DOHERTY ON MELLINGER

“Anna is a crafty lefty attacker with great game sense and feeding ability. She loves to compete and does not shy away from making a big play in some of the biggest moments.”

D | SUMMIT, N.J. | SUMMIT

In her three seasons to date, O'Connell is a three-time Group II state champion, guiding her team to a 61-8 overal record. She has twice overwritten the Summit High School record for caused turnovers, tallying 33 in 2023 and 34 in 2024. To date, the defender has accumulated 80 caused turnovers and 68 groundballs. Inside Lacrosse has recognized Summit as the no. 15 and no. 13 team in the nation the last two seasons, respectively. For her efforts, O'Connell is a two-time all-state honoree, including first-team honors in 2024. She was also recognized as a USA Lacrosse All-American last season.

FOLLOW SUSANNAH ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @susannahoconnell_

WHY PENN STATE?

"I chose Penn State because I love the strong sense of community, excellent academics, and an unmatched network of support for personal and professional growth, and of course the White Out."

COACH DOHERTY ON O'CONNELL

“Susannah is a great defender who has the ability to stop the best attackers in the country.  She is a disciplined player who comes up with great stops at pivotal times, and we can’t wait for her to join our defensive unit.”

D | STEVENSON, MD. | ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL FOR THE GIRLS

A three-time Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) finalist, Porter is also a two-time IAAM champion (2022, 2024). Porter has helped guide her team, which has ranked in the top-three nationally over the last three years, to a combined 52-9 record. She has totalled 48 goals and 27 assists in the last two seasons alone. In addition to her field lacrosse work, Porter was a 2024 National Indoor Champoinship finalist.

FOLLOW MAGGIE ON SOCIAL

Instagram | @maggieporterr

WHY PENN STATE?

"As soon as I stepped on the lacrosse field [at Penn State], the school spirit and team culture instantly drew me in, and I know it was the perfect place for me."

COACH DOHERTY ON PORTER

“Maggie is a skillful, knowledgeable and potent attacker.  She handles pressure extremely well, and we are looking forward to her scoring some memorable goals here at Penn State.”