Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Lacrosse Recruiting Class Announced
12/14/2021 5:43:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell women's lacrosse head coach Jackie Dando has announced the signing of eight talented student-athletes who will join the Bison program in 2022-23.
Comprising this year's recruiting class are attacker Katie Browne (Huntington, N.Y./Huntington); midfielders Bella Koch (Skillman, N.J./Lawrenceville School), Megan Krestinski (Bronxville, N.Y./Bronxville), Juliana Pagano (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) and C.C. Webber (Rumson, N.J./Trinity Hall); defenders Catherine Dineen (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) and Julia Backenstrass (Boca Raton, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas); and goalie Julia Dembowitz (Acworth, Ga./Allatoona).
"We are very excited to welcome our eight members of the 2022 class to Bucknell University from across five states," said Dando. "This is the first class that I have had the opportunity to fully recruit, and I am very confident that the 2022 class will have a large impact on our program."
Julia Backenstrass
Defender | Boca Raton, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas
Personal/H.S.: Born March 25, 2004 in Monza, Italy … daughter of Leah and Christian Backenstrass … has an older sister, Olivia … helped her St. Thomas Aquinas team to the 2021 state championship … in 2019 broke the school record for goals in a season with 79 … named First Team All-County, Second Team All-Region and Second Team All-District … plays club lacrosse for Florida Select 2022, which has been ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Jackie Dando says: "Julia stood out in the recruiting process with her speed in transition and aggressive defense. We look forward to bringing her state championship experience, and her bright personality, to Bucknell."
Katie Browne
Attack | Huntington, N.Y. | Huntington H.S.
Personal/H.S.: Born July 12, 2004 in Huntington, N.Y. … parents are Karen and Douglas Browne … has an older brother, Daniel … lettered in soccer, basketball and lacrosse at Huntington High School and captained all three teams … earned all-league honors in soccer and all-county honors in lacrosse in 2021 … played club lax for Team Elevate 2022 Blue.
Jackie Dando says: "Katie is a very quick and sharp attacker, excelling as a cutter and on the draw circle. We look forward to bringing Katie's leadership as a three-sport captain and her Long Island lacrosse experience to Lewisburg."
Julia Dembowitz
Goalie | Acworth, Ga. | Allatoona
Personal/H.S.: Born July 12, 2004 in Lee, N.H. … daughter of Melissa and David Dembowitz … has an older brother, Samuel … father was captain of the swim team at Springfield College … saved 60 percent of shots faced while starring in goal for Allatoona High School … named to Under Armour All-America South Highlight team and earned All-Area honors … plays club lax for Atlanta Storm 2022 Blue … played on her school's inaugural varsity flag football team during her junior year … team made it to the state final four.
Jackie Dando says: "Julia has established herself as a standout goalie in her region, and she will make a large impact in our goalie unit. She is also a phenomenal student, and we are excited to welcome Julia to Lewisburg."
Cat Dineen
Defender | Wilton, Conn. | Wilton H.S.
Personal/H.S.: Born July 3, 2004 in New York, N.Y. … parents are Rachael and Brian Dineen … has two younger siblings, Madeline and James … has competed in cross country, basketball, indoor track & field and lacrosse at Wilton High School … two-year captain of the lacrosse squad … earned Second Team All-State and Second Team All-FCIAC honors … 2020 Lacrosse All-America Junior Spotlight Team … 2020 Lacrosse Call Back Academy … also captained the cross country team and earned the team's Leadership Award.
Jackie Dando says: "Cat is another multi-sport athlete in this class, who will not only bring very solid defensive fundamentals, but also great leadership and mental toughness. We look forward to her four years in Lewisburg."
Bella Koch
Midfielder | Skillman, N.J. | Lawrenceville School
Personal/H.S.: Born Sept. 17, 2003 … parents are Michele and Michael Koch … has two sisters, Olivia and Lexie … Olivia plays lacrosse at Princeton … three-sport standout in field hockey, indoor track & field and lacrosse at Lawrenceville School … 2021 NJ Prep Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year … 2021 Trenton Times All-Area Team … 2020 Under Armour All-America Spotlight selection … 2019 and 2020 Under Armour 150 Selection … helped team to Mid-Atlantic Prep League title, Mercer County Tournament title and NJ Prep A Tournament finals in 2019 … enters senior season with 70 goals, 23 assists, 31 ground balls in her career … club squad is Ultimate NJ 2022 Blue.
Jackie Dando says: "Bella is a smooth and experienced midfielder, and we expect that she will have an immediate impact. We can't wait to have Bella in the orange and blue at Bucknell."
Megan Krestinski
Midfield | Bronxville, N.Y. | Bronxville H.S.
Personal/H.S.: Born July 19, 2004 in Bronxville, N.Y. … parents are Erin and Kurt Krestinski … has two siblings, Molly and P.J. … mother was a swimmer at Notre Dame … standout in soccer and lacrosse at Bronxville High School … US Lacrosse All-American … also earned All-League and All-Section honors and was named to the Under Armour All-American Highlight Team and the American Select Team … as a junior recorded 39 goals and 25 assists in 15 games … led the team in points, ground balls (32) and caused turnovers (17) and also added 63 draw controls … in 2020 helped her team to a sectional title with a 15-0 record … squad was a state finalist in 2019 after winning sectional and regional titles … helped lead the Bronxville soccer team to a state championship in the fall of 2021.
Jackie Dando says: "Megan is a relentless midfielder who gives her all from start to finish. We are thrilled to bring her speed and All-America honors to our midfield position at Bucknell."
Juliana Pagano
Midfield | Monroe, Conn. | Masuk
Personal/H.S.: Born Aug. 14, 2004 in Staten Island, N.Y. … daughter of Tricia and Jason Pagano … has a younger brother, Jason … has lettered in lacrosse, cheer and basketball at Masuk High School … captained the lacrosse team as a junior in 2021 and has been elected captain again in 2022 … last season earned First Team All-State and First Team All-South West Conference honors … named team's Offensive MVP for the second time after helping the team to a 13-5 record and berths in the conference semifinals and state quarterfinals … led the team with 64 goals, 32 ground balls and 26 caused turnovers … also had 15 assists for 79 points … as a freshman in 2019 earned Second Team All-State and Second Team All-South West Conference accolades after scoring a team-high 55 goals … in just two seasons ranks in the top-5 in team history in goals (119) and points (142) … owns school records for goals (10) and points (13) in a game … selected to the Nike Elite 120 and US Lacrosse Team Connecticut National Team … captained the cheer squad and was a First Team All-State and All-SWC pick … plays club lax for Gold Coast Lacrosse Club … coaches youth lacrosse and cheer … student ambassador for the One Love Foundation.
Jackie Dando says: "Juliana stood out in the recruiting process with her height, agility, and stickwork. She has a tremendous impact on her high school team, and we look forward to her impact at Bucknell."
C.C. Webber
Midfield | Rumson, N.J. | Trinity Hall
Personal/H.S.: Born Jan. 23, 2004 in Long Branch, N.J. … daughter of Sean Webber and Zari Callahan … has two younger brothers, Gray and Sands … grandfather, Ali Sharif, captained the Iowa State wrestling team … plays soccer and lacrosse at Trinity Hall High School in Tinton Falls, N.J. … named to the T3 All-Star 2020 Team … All-American NLC NJ Team in 2019 … UA Callback Academy invitation in 2020 … helped lead her team to the 2019 state sectional final, and in 2021 her team won the Non-Public B state title … team was also a Shore Conference finalist and made it to the first round of the Tournament of Champions.
Jackie Dando says: "C.C. is a strong and consistent athlete who will bring a great work ethic and physicality to our midfield group. We are excited to bring her state championship experience to our program."
Comprising this year's recruiting class are attacker Katie Browne (Huntington, N.Y./Huntington); midfielders Bella Koch (Skillman, N.J./Lawrenceville School), Megan Krestinski (Bronxville, N.Y./Bronxville), Juliana Pagano (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) and C.C. Webber (Rumson, N.J./Trinity Hall); defenders Catherine Dineen (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) and Julia Backenstrass (Boca Raton, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas); and goalie Julia Dembowitz (Acworth, Ga./Allatoona).
"We are very excited to welcome our eight members of the 2022 class to Bucknell University from across five states," said Dando. "This is the first class that I have had the opportunity to fully recruit, and I am very confident that the 2022 class will have a large impact on our program."
Julia Backenstrass
Defender | Boca Raton, Fla. | St. Thomas Aquinas
Personal/H.S.: Born March 25, 2004 in Monza, Italy … daughter of Leah and Christian Backenstrass … has an older sister, Olivia … helped her St. Thomas Aquinas team to the 2021 state championship … in 2019 broke the school record for goals in a season with 79 … named First Team All-County, Second Team All-Region and Second Team All-District … plays club lacrosse for Florida Select 2022, which has been ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Jackie Dando says: "Julia stood out in the recruiting process with her speed in transition and aggressive defense. We look forward to bringing her state championship experience, and her bright personality, to Bucknell."
Katie Browne
Attack | Huntington, N.Y. | Huntington H.S.
Personal/H.S.: Born July 12, 2004 in Huntington, N.Y. … parents are Karen and Douglas Browne … has an older brother, Daniel … lettered in soccer, basketball and lacrosse at Huntington High School and captained all three teams … earned all-league honors in soccer and all-county honors in lacrosse in 2021 … played club lax for Team Elevate 2022 Blue.
Jackie Dando says: "Katie is a very quick and sharp attacker, excelling as a cutter and on the draw circle. We look forward to bringing Katie's leadership as a three-sport captain and her Long Island lacrosse experience to Lewisburg."
Julia Dembowitz
Goalie | Acworth, Ga. | Allatoona
Personal/H.S.: Born July 12, 2004 in Lee, N.H. … daughter of Melissa and David Dembowitz … has an older brother, Samuel … father was captain of the swim team at Springfield College … saved 60 percent of shots faced while starring in goal for Allatoona High School … named to Under Armour All-America South Highlight team and earned All-Area honors … plays club lax for Atlanta Storm 2022 Blue … played on her school's inaugural varsity flag football team during her junior year … team made it to the state final four.
Jackie Dando says: "Julia has established herself as a standout goalie in her region, and she will make a large impact in our goalie unit. She is also a phenomenal student, and we are excited to welcome Julia to Lewisburg."
Cat Dineen
Defender | Wilton, Conn. | Wilton H.S.
Personal/H.S.: Born July 3, 2004 in New York, N.Y. … parents are Rachael and Brian Dineen … has two younger siblings, Madeline and James … has competed in cross country, basketball, indoor track & field and lacrosse at Wilton High School … two-year captain of the lacrosse squad … earned Second Team All-State and Second Team All-FCIAC honors … 2020 Lacrosse All-America Junior Spotlight Team … 2020 Lacrosse Call Back Academy … also captained the cross country team and earned the team's Leadership Award.
Jackie Dando says: "Cat is another multi-sport athlete in this class, who will not only bring very solid defensive fundamentals, but also great leadership and mental toughness. We look forward to her four years in Lewisburg."
Bella Koch
Midfielder | Skillman, N.J. | Lawrenceville School
Personal/H.S.: Born Sept. 17, 2003 … parents are Michele and Michael Koch … has two sisters, Olivia and Lexie … Olivia plays lacrosse at Princeton … three-sport standout in field hockey, indoor track & field and lacrosse at Lawrenceville School … 2021 NJ Prep Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year … 2021 Trenton Times All-Area Team … 2020 Under Armour All-America Spotlight selection … 2019 and 2020 Under Armour 150 Selection … helped team to Mid-Atlantic Prep League title, Mercer County Tournament title and NJ Prep A Tournament finals in 2019 … enters senior season with 70 goals, 23 assists, 31 ground balls in her career … club squad is Ultimate NJ 2022 Blue.
Jackie Dando says: "Bella is a smooth and experienced midfielder, and we expect that she will have an immediate impact. We can't wait to have Bella in the orange and blue at Bucknell."
Megan Krestinski
Midfield | Bronxville, N.Y. | Bronxville H.S.
Personal/H.S.: Born July 19, 2004 in Bronxville, N.Y. … parents are Erin and Kurt Krestinski … has two siblings, Molly and P.J. … mother was a swimmer at Notre Dame … standout in soccer and lacrosse at Bronxville High School … US Lacrosse All-American … also earned All-League and All-Section honors and was named to the Under Armour All-American Highlight Team and the American Select Team … as a junior recorded 39 goals and 25 assists in 15 games … led the team in points, ground balls (32) and caused turnovers (17) and also added 63 draw controls … in 2020 helped her team to a sectional title with a 15-0 record … squad was a state finalist in 2019 after winning sectional and regional titles … helped lead the Bronxville soccer team to a state championship in the fall of 2021.
Jackie Dando says: "Megan is a relentless midfielder who gives her all from start to finish. We are thrilled to bring her speed and All-America honors to our midfield position at Bucknell."
Juliana Pagano
Midfield | Monroe, Conn. | Masuk
Personal/H.S.: Born Aug. 14, 2004 in Staten Island, N.Y. … daughter of Tricia and Jason Pagano … has a younger brother, Jason … has lettered in lacrosse, cheer and basketball at Masuk High School … captained the lacrosse team as a junior in 2021 and has been elected captain again in 2022 … last season earned First Team All-State and First Team All-South West Conference honors … named team's Offensive MVP for the second time after helping the team to a 13-5 record and berths in the conference semifinals and state quarterfinals … led the team with 64 goals, 32 ground balls and 26 caused turnovers … also had 15 assists for 79 points … as a freshman in 2019 earned Second Team All-State and Second Team All-South West Conference accolades after scoring a team-high 55 goals … in just two seasons ranks in the top-5 in team history in goals (119) and points (142) … owns school records for goals (10) and points (13) in a game … selected to the Nike Elite 120 and US Lacrosse Team Connecticut National Team … captained the cheer squad and was a First Team All-State and All-SWC pick … plays club lax for Gold Coast Lacrosse Club … coaches youth lacrosse and cheer … student ambassador for the One Love Foundation.
Jackie Dando says: "Juliana stood out in the recruiting process with her height, agility, and stickwork. She has a tremendous impact on her high school team, and we look forward to her impact at Bucknell."
C.C. Webber
Midfield | Rumson, N.J. | Trinity Hall
Personal/H.S.: Born Jan. 23, 2004 in Long Branch, N.J. … daughter of Sean Webber and Zari Callahan … has two younger brothers, Gray and Sands … grandfather, Ali Sharif, captained the Iowa State wrestling team … plays soccer and lacrosse at Trinity Hall High School in Tinton Falls, N.J. … named to the T3 All-Star 2020 Team … All-American NLC NJ Team in 2019 … UA Callback Academy invitation in 2020 … helped lead her team to the 2019 state sectional final, and in 2021 her team won the Non-Public B state title … team was also a Shore Conference finalist and made it to the first round of the Tournament of Champions.
Jackie Dando says: "C.C. is a strong and consistent athlete who will bring a great work ethic and physicality to our midfield group. We are excited to bring her state championship experience to our program."
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