Talented Freshmen Class Joins Field Hockey
5/9/2012 9:11:48 AM | Field Hockey
SYRACUSE - Over the course of the spring, Syracuse field hockey head coach Ange Bradley has unveiled her 2012 signing class. The two-time defending BIG EAST champs will welcome eight freshmen to their 2012 ranks.
The talented group is comprised of Sarah Clark (Newton, N.J.), Erin Dickey (Harrisburg, Pa.), Jessica Jecko (Clinton, N.Y.), Jenna Knouse (Elliottsburg, Pa.), Alyssa Manley (Lititz, Pa.), Mailyn Nishiguchi (Chula Vista, Calif.), Gillian Pinder (Dublin, Ireland), and Emma Russell (Enniskerry, Ireland).
“I am thrilled to welcome the Class of 2016 to our Syracuse family,” Bradley said. “This is a very intelligent and competitive group of young women. In the classroom all of them are exceptional. This group will have time to learn from our past winning traditions and help us compete for another BIG EAST title. They will also grow to inherit the future of our conference transition as we move to compete in the toughest field hockey conference in the country, the ACC. I extend my gratitude to this class for selecting Syracuse and on behalf of my staff and team welcome them to Syracuse!”
Sarah Clark
A midfielder from Newton, N.J., Clark earned first-team NJAC honors in 2010 and 2011, in addition to first team All-N.J. Herald in 2010 and 2011 and First Team Mugs Media in 2011. Her three goals and seven assists helped High Point Regional High School finish with a 20-2 record last year. The Cats were a combined 70-14 in her four seasons playing on the midfield line for High Point. She finished her career with 48 points on 15 goals and 18 assists.
“In deciding on my college,” Clark said, “I had a few wants: a competitive field hockey program, an exceptional school, a beautiful campus, and reasonably close to home. Syracuse fulfilled my wishes. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the field hockey team and will be honored to put on the 'Cuse jersey in August.”
Clark has been a part of the USA Field Hockey Futures program since 2009 and took part in the National Future Championship in 2011 and is part of the Futures Elite in 2012.
“Sarah is a very skilled player with great vision and distribution,” Bradley said. “She feels a defender naturally and can manipulate spaces well. I look forward to watching Sarah grow to become the future anchor and quarterback of our Syracuse defense.”
Erin Dickey
A defender from Harrisburg, Pa., Dickey led her high school, Central Dauphin, to the Final Four of the Pennsylvania State Playoffs in 2011. Her team would go on to become Mid-Penn Champions and undefeated Commonwealth Division Champions in 2011.
“Throughout my high school career, my parents and coaches have instilled in me pride and all the aspects to it – perseverance, respect, integrity, diligence and excellence,” Dickey said. “The moment that I receive my Syracuse jersey will serve as a checkpoint for me as to how far I have come and how much I can further achieve through the color Orange.”
Dickey was named Defensive MVP and to the Pennsylvania All-State and All-State Academic team. She was also named a Mid-Penn Commonwealth All-Star for her performance last season, which included nine goals as the last man defender.
“A curiosity to learn and grow, heart and passion come to mind when I think of Erin,” Bradley said. “She is a very skillful and intelligent hockey player. She is an outstanding leader. That, combined with a competitive desire, will add depth to our backfield this year.”
Jessica Jecko
A goalkeeper from Clinton, N.Y., Jecko was named team MVP her freshman and sophomore year and, along with being team captain, she was the defensive MVP her junior and senior year at Sauquoit Valley High School. She was the goalkeeper for the 2011 New England Premier All-Star Team and the 2001 CNY Club Team.
“I chose Syracuse because of the great atmosphere on campus and the determination of the team to win,” Jecko said. “Growing up in the Syracuse area and having the honor to put on a Syracuse uniform is unbelievable. Wearing that jersey will show hard work, success and passion for the game.”
Last season, Jecko was named to the Center State Conference First Team West Division, the All CNY-Team for the Post Standard, the Section 3 All-State Team, and was awarded the Section 3 Sportsmanship Award. She finished the season with 135 saves, 12 goals against, and a 91.8 save percentage. Jecko tallied 651 saves in her four years at Sauquoit Valley.
“Jess is a local Central N.Y. product and was born to bleed Orange,” Bradley said. “She is a circle goalkeeper with a tremendous amount of aggressiveness. She is a powerful and attacking goalkeeper. I look forward to Jess studying the game, learning and competing with fellow New Yorker Leann Stiver in the net.”
Jenna Knouse
A midfielder from Elliottsburg, Pa., Knouse was awarded Rookie of the Year her freshman year and Most Valuable Player this past year at West Perry High School. Her six goals and two assists last season helped West Perry become Mid Penn Capital Division Champions.
“Ever since eighth grade, I have wanted to play field hockey at Syracuse,” Knouse said. “Wearing Syracuse Orange will fulfill that dream and will be just the beginning of new dreams. I love the school, the coaches, and the field hockey team. I cannot wait to see what we will accomplish.”
Knouse has played for the 2011-12 US Women's National Indoor Hockey Travel Team and the 2011-12 US Junior Women's National Indoor Team. Last year, she was named to the 2011 NFHCA PA All-Region Second Team, the 2011 PA All-State First Team and All-Academic Team, the 2011 PA All-American Team, and the 2011 Mid Penn All-Star team for her third year in a row. Knouse was award with the 2011 Mid Penn Capital Player of the Year award for the second time in a row.
“Jenna is a great competitor,” Bradley said. “She is intense and passionate on the field and in the classroom. Jenna has gained valuable international experience playing for our US Indoor National team. She is very fit, and has very poised distribution and skill from the midfield position. She has also developed the specialist role of drag flicking on corners. Jenna is a welcomed addition to our Syracuse family.”
Alyssa Manley
A midfielder from Lititz, Pa., Manley led the Warwick Warriors to a 23-5 record as a senior in 2011 when she tallied 34 points on seven goals and 20 assists. She concluded her career with a total of 56 points on 12 goals and 32 assists.
“I am so excited to be coming to Syracuse, an outstanding university with a great field hockey program,” Manley said. “The chance to learn from great coaches and players is something I am looking forward to. From my visits, I love campus and the Syracuse area. I am really happy to have the opportunity to help continue the winning tradition of Syracuse field hockey.”
Manley is a First-Team High School All-American and was named Lancaster Sports Writers & Coaches Field Hockey Player of the Year in 2011. To go along with those honors, she was also named First-Team All-State, First-Team All-Region and First-Team All-League this past fall. Manley was also a member of the USA Field Hockey U-17 National Team, touring with the team in Holland in 2011.
“Work ethic and a true love for the game are the words that describe Alyssa,” Bradley said. “She is the type of person that is on the field before practice and on the field after practice. Her stick skills and eliminations skills will make her a great midfielder at the next level. As captain, Alyssa led her team to the state championship and leads by example.”
Mailyn Nishiguchi
A midfielder/forward from Chula Vista, Calif., Nishiguchi joins the Orange after leading Bonita Vista High School to an 18-3-2 record in 2011. The midfielder/forward set a school record with 52 points as a senior on 18 goals and 16 assists. A two-year captain, Nishiguchi led the Barons to a combined league record of 15-1 and back-to-back Mesa League titles in 2010 and 2011. She finished her career with 101 points on 36 goals and 29 assists.
“Mailyn possesses an incredibly high work rate,” Bradley said. “She is a diver, tipper and fighter. She will do whatever is necessary to score a goal. Mailyn is a very coachable and intelligent player who has the ability to easily adjust to the changes the game presents to her. I am excited to have her mental toughness and competitive desire on our forward line.”
Nishiguchi was the Mesa League Player of the Year in 2011, while earning All-League honors as a junior and senior. She played in the 2011 U-19 National Futures Championship after participating in the U-16 event in 2010. Nishiguchi was a two-time Union Tribune All-Academic honoree and also played for the Vista Hot Stix club team.
In March, Nishiguchi was named a recipient of the prestigious Coronat Scholarship by the SU College of Arts & Sciences.
Gillian Pinder
A midfielder from Dublin, Ireland, Pinder comes to Syracuse with a wealth of international experience after being a part of the Irish National Team program since 2007, most recently being named to the Irish Senior Women's Team in 2011-12. She was on the Irish U21 squad in 2010, the U18 team in 2009 and the U16 team in 2007-08. In 2011 she was a nominee for the program's Young Player of the Year.
“I am very excited about starting a new journey at Syracuse,” Pinder said. “I cannot wait to get out on the pitch and become part of the Orange pride.”
She graduated from St. Andrews College in 2011. She led her U18 team to Senior Cup League and All-Ireland Championships in 2010, playing for Coach Mandy Hollwey, before leading the squad to a runner-up finish in each in 2011 playing for Coach Eimear Sloan.
“Gil is an elite-level athlete and possesses the competitive desire to win,” Bradley said. “She has played for Ireland's national team as well as represented her country on various age-group teams.”
Previous to her U18 exploits, Pinder led her U16 team to a Minor Cup title in 2006 and a Junior Cup title in 2008. Pinder played center midfield in the U16, U18 and U21 Interprovincial Tournaments, as well as at the Irish Senior Cup in 2008-12, and for the Leinster League winners in 2011.
Emma Russell
A midfielder/forward from Enniskerry, Ireland, Russell was the captain of the Holy Child Killiney high school field hockey team her junior and senior year. She was the top goal scorer at Holy Child Killiney and on her club team, Old Alex Hockey Club.
Russell has received many honors including the Hermes Young Player of the Year 2010/11, the Lee Brothers Sportsperson of the Year 2011, the Holy Child Sportsperson of the Year 2010, the Holy Child Award for Excellence in Sport 2009 and 2011, and many others.
“The opportunity that Syracuse offers me to combine field hockey and academics at such a high level is unique,” Russell said. “I love to embrace life's challenges and I will be honored to face the challenges that wearing the Orange will present. I hope to contribute to the great tradition that has been built around the Orange.”
Russell was also a first reserve for the Irish Youth Olympic team in 2010 and has represented Ireland in the European U16 and U18 championships.
“Fast, skillful and a pure finisher are the thoughts that come to mind when describing Emma's play,” Bradley said. “As a member of Ireland's U18 National team she will bring international experience. Emma will add a new dimension to our ability to score and break out of the midfield and into the front attacking third of the field.”
The Orange, winner of three of the last four BIG EAST Championships, will open the 2012 regular season on Aug. 24 at Monmouth before hosting the home opener Aug. 26 vs. Ohio.
The talented group is comprised of Sarah Clark (Newton, N.J.), Erin Dickey (Harrisburg, Pa.), Jessica Jecko (Clinton, N.Y.), Jenna Knouse (Elliottsburg, Pa.), Alyssa Manley (Lititz, Pa.), Mailyn Nishiguchi (Chula Vista, Calif.), Gillian Pinder (Dublin, Ireland), and Emma Russell (Enniskerry, Ireland).
“I am thrilled to welcome the Class of 2016 to our Syracuse family,” Bradley said. “This is a very intelligent and competitive group of young women. In the classroom all of them are exceptional. This group will have time to learn from our past winning traditions and help us compete for another BIG EAST title. They will also grow to inherit the future of our conference transition as we move to compete in the toughest field hockey conference in the country, the ACC. I extend my gratitude to this class for selecting Syracuse and on behalf of my staff and team welcome them to Syracuse!”
Sarah Clark
A midfielder from Newton, N.J., Clark earned first-team NJAC honors in 2010 and 2011, in addition to first team All-N.J. Herald in 2010 and 2011 and First Team Mugs Media in 2011. Her three goals and seven assists helped High Point Regional High School finish with a 20-2 record last year. The Cats were a combined 70-14 in her four seasons playing on the midfield line for High Point. She finished her career with 48 points on 15 goals and 18 assists.
“In deciding on my college,” Clark said, “I had a few wants: a competitive field hockey program, an exceptional school, a beautiful campus, and reasonably close to home. Syracuse fulfilled my wishes. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the field hockey team and will be honored to put on the 'Cuse jersey in August.”
Clark has been a part of the USA Field Hockey Futures program since 2009 and took part in the National Future Championship in 2011 and is part of the Futures Elite in 2012.
“Sarah is a very skilled player with great vision and distribution,” Bradley said. “She feels a defender naturally and can manipulate spaces well. I look forward to watching Sarah grow to become the future anchor and quarterback of our Syracuse defense.”
Erin Dickey
A defender from Harrisburg, Pa., Dickey led her high school, Central Dauphin, to the Final Four of the Pennsylvania State Playoffs in 2011. Her team would go on to become Mid-Penn Champions and undefeated Commonwealth Division Champions in 2011.
“Throughout my high school career, my parents and coaches have instilled in me pride and all the aspects to it – perseverance, respect, integrity, diligence and excellence,” Dickey said. “The moment that I receive my Syracuse jersey will serve as a checkpoint for me as to how far I have come and how much I can further achieve through the color Orange.”
Dickey was named Defensive MVP and to the Pennsylvania All-State and All-State Academic team. She was also named a Mid-Penn Commonwealth All-Star for her performance last season, which included nine goals as the last man defender.
“A curiosity to learn and grow, heart and passion come to mind when I think of Erin,” Bradley said. “She is a very skillful and intelligent hockey player. She is an outstanding leader. That, combined with a competitive desire, will add depth to our backfield this year.”
Jessica Jecko
A goalkeeper from Clinton, N.Y., Jecko was named team MVP her freshman and sophomore year and, along with being team captain, she was the defensive MVP her junior and senior year at Sauquoit Valley High School. She was the goalkeeper for the 2011 New England Premier All-Star Team and the 2001 CNY Club Team.
“I chose Syracuse because of the great atmosphere on campus and the determination of the team to win,” Jecko said. “Growing up in the Syracuse area and having the honor to put on a Syracuse uniform is unbelievable. Wearing that jersey will show hard work, success and passion for the game.”
Last season, Jecko was named to the Center State Conference First Team West Division, the All CNY-Team for the Post Standard, the Section 3 All-State Team, and was awarded the Section 3 Sportsmanship Award. She finished the season with 135 saves, 12 goals against, and a 91.8 save percentage. Jecko tallied 651 saves in her four years at Sauquoit Valley.
“Jess is a local Central N.Y. product and was born to bleed Orange,” Bradley said. “She is a circle goalkeeper with a tremendous amount of aggressiveness. She is a powerful and attacking goalkeeper. I look forward to Jess studying the game, learning and competing with fellow New Yorker Leann Stiver in the net.”
Jenna Knouse
A midfielder from Elliottsburg, Pa., Knouse was awarded Rookie of the Year her freshman year and Most Valuable Player this past year at West Perry High School. Her six goals and two assists last season helped West Perry become Mid Penn Capital Division Champions.
“Ever since eighth grade, I have wanted to play field hockey at Syracuse,” Knouse said. “Wearing Syracuse Orange will fulfill that dream and will be just the beginning of new dreams. I love the school, the coaches, and the field hockey team. I cannot wait to see what we will accomplish.”
Knouse has played for the 2011-12 US Women's National Indoor Hockey Travel Team and the 2011-12 US Junior Women's National Indoor Team. Last year, she was named to the 2011 NFHCA PA All-Region Second Team, the 2011 PA All-State First Team and All-Academic Team, the 2011 PA All-American Team, and the 2011 Mid Penn All-Star team for her third year in a row. Knouse was award with the 2011 Mid Penn Capital Player of the Year award for the second time in a row.
“Jenna is a great competitor,” Bradley said. “She is intense and passionate on the field and in the classroom. Jenna has gained valuable international experience playing for our US Indoor National team. She is very fit, and has very poised distribution and skill from the midfield position. She has also developed the specialist role of drag flicking on corners. Jenna is a welcomed addition to our Syracuse family.”
Alyssa Manley
A midfielder from Lititz, Pa., Manley led the Warwick Warriors to a 23-5 record as a senior in 2011 when she tallied 34 points on seven goals and 20 assists. She concluded her career with a total of 56 points on 12 goals and 32 assists.
“I am so excited to be coming to Syracuse, an outstanding university with a great field hockey program,” Manley said. “The chance to learn from great coaches and players is something I am looking forward to. From my visits, I love campus and the Syracuse area. I am really happy to have the opportunity to help continue the winning tradition of Syracuse field hockey.”
Manley is a First-Team High School All-American and was named Lancaster Sports Writers & Coaches Field Hockey Player of the Year in 2011. To go along with those honors, she was also named First-Team All-State, First-Team All-Region and First-Team All-League this past fall. Manley was also a member of the USA Field Hockey U-17 National Team, touring with the team in Holland in 2011.
“Work ethic and a true love for the game are the words that describe Alyssa,” Bradley said. “She is the type of person that is on the field before practice and on the field after practice. Her stick skills and eliminations skills will make her a great midfielder at the next level. As captain, Alyssa led her team to the state championship and leads by example.”
Mailyn Nishiguchi
A midfielder/forward from Chula Vista, Calif., Nishiguchi joins the Orange after leading Bonita Vista High School to an 18-3-2 record in 2011. The midfielder/forward set a school record with 52 points as a senior on 18 goals and 16 assists. A two-year captain, Nishiguchi led the Barons to a combined league record of 15-1 and back-to-back Mesa League titles in 2010 and 2011. She finished her career with 101 points on 36 goals and 29 assists.
“Mailyn possesses an incredibly high work rate,” Bradley said. “She is a diver, tipper and fighter. She will do whatever is necessary to score a goal. Mailyn is a very coachable and intelligent player who has the ability to easily adjust to the changes the game presents to her. I am excited to have her mental toughness and competitive desire on our forward line.”
Nishiguchi was the Mesa League Player of the Year in 2011, while earning All-League honors as a junior and senior. She played in the 2011 U-19 National Futures Championship after participating in the U-16 event in 2010. Nishiguchi was a two-time Union Tribune All-Academic honoree and also played for the Vista Hot Stix club team.
In March, Nishiguchi was named a recipient of the prestigious Coronat Scholarship by the SU College of Arts & Sciences.
Gillian Pinder
A midfielder from Dublin, Ireland, Pinder comes to Syracuse with a wealth of international experience after being a part of the Irish National Team program since 2007, most recently being named to the Irish Senior Women's Team in 2011-12. She was on the Irish U21 squad in 2010, the U18 team in 2009 and the U16 team in 2007-08. In 2011 she was a nominee for the program's Young Player of the Year.
“I am very excited about starting a new journey at Syracuse,” Pinder said. “I cannot wait to get out on the pitch and become part of the Orange pride.”
She graduated from St. Andrews College in 2011. She led her U18 team to Senior Cup League and All-Ireland Championships in 2010, playing for Coach Mandy Hollwey, before leading the squad to a runner-up finish in each in 2011 playing for Coach Eimear Sloan.
“Gil is an elite-level athlete and possesses the competitive desire to win,” Bradley said. “She has played for Ireland's national team as well as represented her country on various age-group teams.”
Previous to her U18 exploits, Pinder led her U16 team to a Minor Cup title in 2006 and a Junior Cup title in 2008. Pinder played center midfield in the U16, U18 and U21 Interprovincial Tournaments, as well as at the Irish Senior Cup in 2008-12, and for the Leinster League winners in 2011.
Emma Russell
A midfielder/forward from Enniskerry, Ireland, Russell was the captain of the Holy Child Killiney high school field hockey team her junior and senior year. She was the top goal scorer at Holy Child Killiney and on her club team, Old Alex Hockey Club.
Russell has received many honors including the Hermes Young Player of the Year 2010/11, the Lee Brothers Sportsperson of the Year 2011, the Holy Child Sportsperson of the Year 2010, the Holy Child Award for Excellence in Sport 2009 and 2011, and many others.
“The opportunity that Syracuse offers me to combine field hockey and academics at such a high level is unique,” Russell said. “I love to embrace life's challenges and I will be honored to face the challenges that wearing the Orange will present. I hope to contribute to the great tradition that has been built around the Orange.”
Russell was also a first reserve for the Irish Youth Olympic team in 2010 and has represented Ireland in the European U16 and U18 championships.
“Fast, skillful and a pure finisher are the thoughts that come to mind when describing Emma's play,” Bradley said. “As a member of Ireland's U18 National team she will bring international experience. Emma will add a new dimension to our ability to score and break out of the midfield and into the front attacking third of the field.”
The Orange, winner of three of the last four BIG EAST Championships, will open the 2012 regular season on Aug. 24 at Monmouth before hosting the home opener Aug. 26 vs. Ohio.
Sunday, November 16
Friday, November 14
Tuesday, November 11
Wednesday, November 05
