Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Field Hockey Announces Recruiting Class of 2012
5/1/2008 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
May 1, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell field hockey team will welcome six talented incoming freshmen this fall, head coach Heather Lewis recently announced. Bucknell field hockey's class of 2012 will include three defenders and one midfielder from the state of Pennsylvania. Additionally, the Bison will add two goalkeepers with this group of freshmen, one from St. Louis, Mo., and one from North Vancouver, Canada.
"I am very pleased to announce the six-member recruiting class for Bison Field Hockey," said Coach Lewis. "I believe the overall athleticism and skill set of these six individuals will be a critical class for this program's continued improvement and I am confident their legacy will be a special one after four years.
"We went into this recruiting period with a specific emphasis on enhancing our depth at our goalkeeper position and are quite pleased with the commitments from Hanna Botney and Sarah Zargarpour.
"I look at the academic and athletic accomplishments of these young women and think how `lucky' Bucknell is to have them representing our university and its field hockey program. Their credentials are impressive and extensive."
The six recruits will join a group of 17 returning letterwinners from this past season's squad that finished with a record of 8-9 and 1-4 in the Patriot League. Captains and rising seniors Amanda Faust (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) and Steph Graf (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks East) are prepared to lead the Bison next season. In 2007, Faust earned first-team All-League honors and first-team All-Mideast Regions accolades while Graf earned second-team All-League honors after leading the Patriot League in defensive saves.
Class of 2012 Bios:
Hanna Botney (St. Louis, MO / Whitfield School) - Goalkeeper...led her team to semi-finals of Missouri state championships, defeating #1 ranked team en route ... 2nd team All-State as a senior ... recorded a saver percentage of 89% ... co-captain of club team ... played for the Saints in USA Field Hockey National Festival ... Dean's list member for excellence in academics four straight years ... an accomplished equestrian rider.
Lewis on Botney: "We were able to see Hanna at our summer camp this past year and also at the USA Field Hockey Festival in California. She has demonstrated tremendous improvement in a short amount of time and we anticipate continued improvement over the course of four years here at Bucknell University. Hanna's size is ideal and she brings an aggressive style of play to our goalkeeping."
Kate Bowen (Kingston, PA / Wyoming Valley West) - Defender ... a graduate of the same high school program that produced All-Patriot and Regional All-American and '08 co-captain Amanda Faust ... played for the Key State Black club program in the 2007 USA Field Hockey National Festival ... team captain in '07 for Wyoming Valley West ... 2007 All-State Honorable Mention ... 2007 All-State Academic ... 2007 All-American Academic
Lewis on Bowen: "Kate is another in a long line of exceptionally talented defenders coming out of Wyoming Valley West. I anticipate her playing with the same competitiveness and determination as Amanda Faust. Kate has a `steadying' presence in the backfield and her tackling skills are very solid. We look forward to her joining our program."
Caroline Coady (Malvern, PA / Villa Maria Academy) - Defender ... three-year varsity letter winner at Villa Maria ... played for the Malvern Wave club team at the USA Field Hockey National Festival ... named second team All-Area in 2007 ... named to the 2007 Pennsylvania All-State and National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Academic squads.
Lewis on Coady: "We expect Caroline to come in and provide some much needed depth to our defensive unit. We anticipate Caroline making a significant mark on our defensive end over the next four seasons. She comes to Bucknell out of one of the most accomplished high school programs in the Philadelphia area and her familiarity with winning and success are exactly what we're looking for."
Marci Richard (Oley, PA / Oley Valley) - Midfield/Defense ... a four-year varsity letter winner from the same high school program that produced graduating senior and two-time All-Patriot League performer Kelly Hoffman ... captain in '07 ... finished her high school career being named All-County, All-State, and National All-Academic ... played for the Keystone Berks Blue club team at the '07 USA Field Hockey National Festival ... an exceptional track & field athlete in the high jump.
Lewis on Richard: "Marci is perhaps the most `versatile' player in this year's recruiting class. She has the potential make an impact on either the attacking or defensive end. She has shown tremendous vision and good decision-making on the ball. At the same time her tackling skills are advanced and she has outstanding anticipation. Most importantly, Marci knows how to play the game only one way - leaving every ounce of her energy on the field."
Mallory Smith (Schnecksville, PA / Parkland) - Midfield/Defense ... played for and was captain of her X-Calibur club team ... Parkland team captain in '07 ... second-team All-State performer and All-Academic team member in '07 ... two-time varsity letter winner in track & field (100m) ... a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student in 2007 ... National Honor Society in 2005, 2006, 2007.
Lewis on Smith: "I have been watching Mallory for the past couple of seasons and was very impressed with her skill development and decision-making. She is a `cerebral' player on the field with excellent vision and game-sense. She plays the game with tremendous poise and her leadership qualities are very evident the moment you see Mallory play. We expect Mallory to have an outstanding four years as a Bison scholar-athlete."
Sarah Zargarpour (North Vancouver, Canada / Handsworth Secondary School) - Goalkeeper ... a three-year member of the Handsworth Secondary School team ... team captain in 2007 ... North Shore All-Star in '07 ... a Gold medalist in '07 and Silver medalist in '05 in British Columbia Regional play ... a three-year member of the British Columbia Provincial Team ... led her club team, Skillsets Select, to the 2007 Gold medal at the USA Field Hockey National Festival and Bronze medal at the 2007 Disney Showcase.
Lewis on Zargarpour: "We targeted Sarah very early in our recruiting class in hopes of having her join the Bison family to provide much needed depth to our goalkeeping position. She brings to the Bison program tremendous experience gained at both the secondary school and Canadian development system levels. Sarah has outstanding size and reaction skills as a goalkeeper. However, her most endearing quality might be her vocal skills and ability to `manage' her defensive teammates in front of her. We're excited for Sarah to join the Bison Field Hockey family. And, we're excited for Bucknell University that we have extended our recruitment into the northwest corner of Canada."
