Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Field Hockey Announces Talented Recruiting Class
3/20/2007 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
March 20, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa - After making their third straight Patriot League Tournament last fall, Bucknell field hockey head coach Heather Lewis announced that six student-athletes will join the Bison in the fall of 2007. The Class of 2011 features student-athletes from four different states, including California and Ohio.
"I am very pleased with our incoming class of six student-athletes," said Lewis. "Not only do they bring geographical diversity to our program, they also bring athletic versatility in their talents. They are exceptionally strong students in the classroom and I feel confident they'll represent Bucknell Field Hockey with the highest integrity.
"We emphasized enhancing our depth on both the midfield and defensive lines. We were fortunate to also recruit an established goal-scorer who will only improve a very athletic returning group of forward line players.
"Each of these student-athletes have extensive playing experience with their high school teams and within the club system of the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA). In addition, some bring additional experience from the Futures Program, a USFHA elite developmental program. I feel confident this group will have a significant impact on the future success of Bison Field Hockey."
Lewis, who is the all-time career wins leader at Bucknell with 120, has coached 20 Regional All-Americans in her tenure, with sophomore defenders Steph Graf (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks East) and Amanda Faust (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) being the most recent. The Bison recruits will join 18 returing letterwinners from the 2006 squad that posted a 7-10 record.
Suzanne Arian of Shaker Heights, Ohio, was a four-year letterwinner as a defender at Shaker Heights High School. She participated in both the 2005 Junior Olympics and the 2005 National Futures Tournament, which is an Olympic Development Selection tournament. Arian was named to the 2007 NFHCA All-Academic Squad awarded to seniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. She was also a three-time Academic All-Ohio member.
Lewis on Arian: "I believe Suzanne has the potential to be a very good collegiate defender. She has a solid foundation of her basic skills and her awareness and anticipation are critical aspects of her success. An exceptional student, Suzanne embodies all that our program represents - a hard working, team oriented and determined student-athlete."
Kelly Bruvik, a native of Skillman, N.J., was a 2006 team captain for Stuart Country Day School. She was a four-year letterwinner as a forward. Bruvik helped lead her team to one State Prep Championship and two State Prep Finals, Mercer County Championships and Mercer County Finals. She holds the Stuart Country Day career scoring record with 66 goals and 43 assist for 109 points. Bruvik, who is a three-time U.S. Field Hockey National Festival participant, was a two-time First Team Central Jersey Field Hockey Coaches Association member and a First Team Patriot League All-Star. She was named the Prep Player of the Year by the Trentonian in 2005 and was a two-time Area Co-Player of the Year named by the Trenton Times. Bruvic was recognized as the Field Hockey Player of the Year by the Princeton Packet in 2005 and 2006.
Lewis on Bruvik: "Without a doubt, I believe Kelly is one of the most gifted and natural goal scorers in this year's available graduating class. She will enhance our goal-scoring production and become an immediate concern for our opponents. It is conceivable that Kelly could establish new season and career scoring records in our program - she's that talented."
Morgan Kauffman, a midfielder, currently attends Penn Manor High School in Millersville, Pa. She was a three-year letterwinner in field hockey and a team captain who earned first team all-state accolades and first team all-league honors twice. Kauffman is also a member of the 2007 NFHCA All-Academic Squad.
Lewis on Kauffman: "I am so pleased Morgan has chosen Bucknell as I love her versatility and tenacity. I see Morgan capable of playing any one of our three lines - attack, midfield or defense - and meeting each with equal success. She is a competitor and comes from an outstanding high school program at Penn Manor under the direction of Matt Soto."
Corinne Raczek will graduate from Ocean Township High School in Ocean Township, N.J., this spring. She was part of a three-time district championship team. Raczek, who is a three-year letterwinner, was a participant in the U.S. Field Hockey National Invitational three times. She plays extensively with the Spirit Eagles Club team. Raczek, a midfielder, was named to the Futures Development Identification Camp in 2007, which is a select invitational only camp and participated in the National Futures Tournament twice.
Lewis on Raczek: "We feel very fortunate that Corinne saw Bucknell as her perfect 'fit' during the college selection process. Having seen Corinne compete at our highest level in the USFHA Developmental program, I believe she will make an immediate contribution to our success in 2007. Her game sense and skill level are advanced to a degree that her transition to the Division I level will be almost seamless."
Johnna Simoes, a San Diego, Calif., native, was a three-time scholar-athlete and a two-time all-academic member at Torrey Pines High School. A defender, Simoes was a Second Team All-CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) honoree and a First Team All-Palomar League member.
Lewis on Simoes: "I've been excited about Johnna's interest in our program since her visit last spring. She has an incredible desire to excel and continually improve herself as a field hockey player and that's exactly what we're looking for on our team. With a bit of refinement to her tackling and distribution skills, Johnna should be a stable presence in our defensive backfield."
Christine Weiss, a defender at Southern Lehigh High School in Bethlehem, Pa., is a four-year letterwinner. She was named team captain and MVP in 2006. Weiss helped lead her team to two Colonial League Championships in 2004 and 2006. She was a three-time participant in the U.S. Field Hockey National Festival and a member of the XCALIBUR Club team. She was also named to the 2007 NFHCA All-Academic Squad.
Lewis on Weiss: "Christine has been on our radar for a few years and with some wonderful opportunities in front of her, I'm so pleased she chose Bucknell. I feel Christine's intensity and desire to win will only benefit this program as it strives to play championship hockey on a daily basis. I believe Christine will make immediate contributions and find herself as a permanent fixture in our defensive end."
Bucknell opens its 2007 campaign against Kent State on Saturday, Aug. 25, in Columbus, Ohio, on the campus of Ohio State.
|
Name |
Position | Hometown/High School |
| Suzanne Arian | Defender | Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights |
| Kelly Bruvik | Forward | Skillman, N.J./Stuart Country Day School |
| Morgan Kauffman | Midfielder | Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor |
| Corinne Raczek | Midfielder | Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township |
| Johnna Simoes | Defender | San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines |
| Christine Weiss | Defender | Bethlehem, Pa./Southern Lehigh |
