Coach Dando Announces Talented 2025-26 Freshman Class
9/19/2025 11:45:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Head coach Jackie Dando and the Bucknell women's lacrosse team welcomes 12 freshmen to the roster ahead of the 2026 season. The group consists of four attackers, three defenders, four midfielders and one goalie.
"This is a 12-person class, so it's large, but I have a lot of confidence in them to be completely honest," said head coach Jackie Dando. "I think off the field, we really tried to look for the mindset of being driven. We want athletes who will be great students and great players, but also really good teammates. Each of these players really care about the team and they are going to give their 100% effort and attitude each day to commit to the team culture."
The 12 newcomers hail from all across the country including nine different states; California (2), Connecticut (2), New Jersey (2), Oregon (1), Colorado (1), New Hampshire (1), Pennsylvania (1), Massachusetts (1) and New York (1).
Nine of the freshmen served as team captains for their respective high school teams and six of the bunch were honored as First-Team All-State athletes.
"It's going to be tough to stand out in this class because everyone's so strong," said Dando. "But, I think they're definitely going to make their impact as freshmen and it's really elevated the program already. The first day of practice, you saw a difference, just with the depth that they have and how it increased the competitiveness. Every single day, it's a very aggressive, fast-paced practice. I think the freshman class is going to have an immediate impact, which is what we want as we keep moving forward."
Below is more information on the 12 members of the Bison women's lacrosse freshman class.
Gigi Abernethy
Portland, Oregon | Jesuit High School | Midfield
Jesuit High School: Lettered in lacrosse…2025 State Championship MVP…two-time All-American…2024 Academic All-American…Adrenaline All-American…two-time All-State First Team…three-time All-League First Team…2025 league player of the year…two-time team captain…four-time high school state champions…broke the record for most draw controls at Jesuit High School (333)...played club for Oregon Pride.
Personal: Gigi Abernethy…born February 7, 2007 in Portland, Oregon…daughter of Christen and Tom Abernathy…father played baseball at Denison University…grandmother Carol is a Bucknell alum class of '62.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "Gigi was tremendously consistent throughout high school and she was the workhorse of her team," said Dando. "In addition to being a great offensive and defensive player, she also takes the draw and we are excited to add that piece to our resume. Gigi is super gritty, but is also a very smooth player, so she combines the strong stick work with toughness on the field."
Lucy Connors
Longmont, Co. | Niwot High School | Midfield
Niwot High School: Four year starter at Mead High School…2025 USA Lacrosse All-American…three-time First Team All-Conference…2025 Conference Player of the Year…two-time First Team All-State…2022 Second Team All-Conference…2024 Offensive MVP…two-time team captain…2025 Colorado 4A Semifinalist…2024 Colorado 4A Runner-up…2023 Colorado 4A State Champions…2022 Colorado 5A State Semifinalist…261 career goals…106 career assists…played club for Denver Pride…three-time American Select…2024 New Balance All-America Highlight Southwest Division…2025 Adrenaline All-American.
Personal: Lucy Rose Connors…born September 4, 2007 in Longmont, Co…daughter of Jennifer and Shane Connors…has one sibling; Liam…aunt Joan Cundey Green played women's soccer at Princeton.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "Lucy does a great job of finding the cage and being a vacuum all over the field," said Dando. "She is strong on ground balls and draw controls, and she does it all with a great attitude and a smile. Lucy is already kind of stepping up in her class in different ways as a leader, so I'm excited to see what she can keep doing this year."
Anna Cornell
San Francisco, Calif. | St. Ignatius College Preparatory | Defense
St. Ignatius College Preparatory: Lettered in lacrosse…First Team All-League WBAL…two-time Second Team All-League WBAL…Adrenaline All-American…IL Women Standout Player…team captain…four-time WBAL Champions…three-time CCS Champions…played club for Steps California (number one club team in California for five years)…Sandstorn 2025AA Champions…West Coast Cup Champions.
Personal: Anna Christine Cornell…born September 26, 2006 in San Francisco, Calif...daughter of Jessica and Nate Cornell…has one sibling; Claire who is a swimming and diving athlete at Dartmouth…Aunt Meg Filoon played for the USA Women's Lacrosse team and USA Women's Field Hockey team.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "Anna has great fundamentals defensively, is really aggressive, not afraid to make contact and has translated quickly to the physicality of the college game," said Dando. "I'm excited to see her make her mark this year."
Caleigh Cummiskey
Darien, Conn. | Darien High School | Attack
Darien High School: Lettered in lacrosse…2025 All-American…2025 First Team All-State…2025 First Team ALL-FCIAC…2025 State Semifinal Player of the Game…two-time State Champions (2023/2025)...two-time FCIAC Champions (2023/25)…22-2 record in 2025…24-0 record in 2023…played club for the CT Grizzlies and ranked 10/20 nationally throughout time with the program.
Personal: Caleigh Jayne Cummiskey…born July 28, 2007 in Greenwich, Conn...daughter of Joy and James Cummiskey…has four older siblings; Kathleen, Jay, Elaina, Tighe…father sailed at Brown University…brother Tighe plays football at Lafayette.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "I am really excited to see her receiving and finishing abilities," said Dando. "She does a tremendous job with the inside cuts off the elbows and getting her hands free for her finishes. She's also someone we'd expect to have an immediate impact."
Hannah Gilland
Ridgefield, Conn. | Ridgefield High School | Goalie
Ridgefield High School: Lettered in women's lacrosse…recorded 100+ saves senior season…played club for Prime Time Lacrosse Club, ranked fifth nationally…won the 2023 Maryland Cup,...played box lacrosse with Superstar and won two national championships and was named the 2021 MVP…played in American Select for Team Downstate (2021)...attended Under Armor 150 in 2022…named to the 2022 New Balance National Cup All tournament team…attended All-America Underclass Tournament…chosen as a US Club Lacrosse 2025 Rising Star…attended Juniors Open in 2023 and 2024…two-time All-America Lacrosse Senior Game Watchlist (2023/2024)...member of the Italian National Team…attended the 2024 U20 World Championship and qualified for the quarterfinals, placing 8th in the world…two-time Player of the Game at 2024 U20 World Championships…ranked top-5 for U20 goalies in the world at the championships.
Personal: Hannah Faith Gilland…born October 24, 2006 in Danbury, Conn…daughter of Dana and Christopher Gilland…has one sibling; twin sister Haley, who plays lacrosse at Williams College.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "As a goalie, Gilland has super fast hands and is very explosive," said Dando. "I would say the experience that she had internationally, playing for the Italian National Team, is something that I think was really good for the maturity of her game. She definitely doesn't play like a freshman, so I'm excited to see her continue to get better over her four years and make an impact in the goal as well."
Elizabeth Hilbert
Westlake Village, Calif. | Oaks Christian School | Defense
Oaks Christian School: Lettered four years in lacrosse…USA Magazine All-American…LA Daily News Player of the Week…team MVP…CIF Division III MVP…2025 Marmonte League Defensive MVP…2024 Marmonte League Offensive MVP…four-time Marmonte All-League First-Team…three-time varsity captain…played club for Mad Dog West Elite.
Personal: Elizabeth Jeanne Hilbert…born December 27, 2006 in Irvine, Calif…daughter of Noelle and EJ Hilbert…has two older siblings; Kyle and Connor.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "She stood out for her toughness and her commitment to lacrosse in the recruiting process," said Dando. "Her toughness and grittiness makes her special. "She's getting a lot of interceptions at practice, a lot of knockdowns and she is not afraid to make contact and be physical. Elizabeth is also a good communicator."
Madeline Kiely
Bedford, NH | Bedford High School | Midfield
Bedford High School: Lettered four years in lacrosse and three in field hockey…in lacrosse served as a team captain…2025 First Team All-State…2024 Academic All-American…2024 Second Team All-State…2023 State Champions…166 career goals, 290 draw controls and 51 career assists…led the team in points her senior year…played club for the New Hampshire Tomahawks Club team…in field hockey, led the team in points senior year…2024 All-State…2024 Offensive Player of the Year at Bedford High School.
Personal: Madeline Bridget Kiely…born April 27, 2007 in Ithaca, N.Y…daughter of Patty and Joe Kiely…has three older siblings; Chris, Michael and Timmy…father and brother Chris both played lacrosse at Siena…brother Michael played lacrosse at Colgate and brother Timmy plays lacrosse at Sacred Heart.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "Madeline is a lefty, which is great to have, and she is also a draw specialist," said Dando. "Her height, her stick work and her ability to take the draw lefty, makes her super valuable. She leans a little bit more offensive and just has a really great attitude. Madeline is a hardworking, positive player that we're really excited about, especially on the draw."
Caroline Mellon
Yardley, Pa. | The Perkiomen School | Midfield
The Perkiomen School: Lettered four years in women's lacrosse and track and three in volleyball…in lacrosse was a two-time varsity lacrosse team captain…2024 Player of the Year PJAA…Philadelphia Area All-Academic…two-time MVP…Apex60 All-American…2024 PJAA Conference Champions…scored 200 points…played club for Jersey Shore Select…volleyball team captain…2023 Perkiomen School Underclass Athlete of the Year…in track, placed 3rd in 800 meter and 4th in 4x400 at 2023 indoor PAISAA state championships…competed in the 2022 PIAA indoor track state championships as the first leg of a 4x800 relay.
Personal: Caroline Marie Mellon…born July 24, 2006 in Princeton, NJ…daughter of William and Jennifer Mellon…has one sibling; Elizabeth.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "I think the thing that stands out with Caroline is that she's super driven and very much a high achiever, so she pushes herself," said Dando. "She's always hustling on the field and has great speed and athleticism. Mellon leans a little more defensive, but I really like the intensity that she's brought to the first couple weeks already."
Katie Powers
Glen Ridge, NJ | Glen Ridge High School | Attack
Glen Ridge High School: Lettered four years in lacrosse, basketball and soccer...served as a team captain in all three sports…in lacrosse, two-time First Team All-State (2024/2025)...three-time First Team All-County (2023/2024/2025)...three-time First Team All-Conference (2023/2024/2025)...two-time USA Lacrosse All-American (2024/2025)...2024 Group 1 State Champions…two-time Essex County Champions (2024/2025)...set school records for all-time points, assists and draw controls…led New Jersey in points (170) and assists (97) in 2024…finished career with 198 goals, 258 assists, 456 points and 386 draw controls…played club for Steps New Jersey…in basketball and soccer was a two-time First team All Conference player (2024/2025)...2025 Group 1 North Sectional Champions in basketball and set the school records for all-time assists (425) and steals (320)…Glen Ridge High School Athlete of the Year in 2025.
Personal: Katherine Elizabeth Powers…born October 22, 2006 in New York, N.Y…daughter of Jennifer and Shane Powers…has two younger siblings…mother played softball and tennis at Holy Cross.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "She's a tall, strong, shifty attacker that can dodge and also feed," said Dando. "I am really excited to see her hopefully translate quickly into the college game on the crease and the elbow. She was an early commit for us and is someone that I think really set the tone for the rest of the class."
Sloane Ricciuti
Summit, NJ | Summit High School | Attack
Summit High School: Lettered four years in lacrosse, soccer and basketball…in lacrosse served as as two-time team captain…earned All-State and All Conference honors…third leading scorer and leader in assists…four-time state champion…two-time Union County Champion…TOC Champion…held an 8-12 record over four years played…top-25 player all-time in program history…also earned All-State and All-Conference honors in soccer and led the team to its first Union County Championship as the leading scorer…led the basketball team in assists as the 7th ranked assister in Union County and recorded 100 rebounds…played club for Steps.
Personal: Sloane Ricciuti…born November 12, 2006 in Weehawken, NJ…daughter of Annette and Chris Ricciuti…has one sibling; twin sister Delaney…mother played basketball for Villanova and father was a track & field athlete at Boston College.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "Sloane has great discipline, principles and fundamentals from her background with STEPS and Summit," said Dando. "She's been one of our top finishers in our run tests and is a very fast player, which will be a great asset. Sloane is very resilient and never stops working. She does a great job as a cutter and on the ride so I'm excited about what she can bring."
Alexa Thornton
Marblehead, Mass. | Holderness School | Attack
Holderness School: Lettered four years in lacrosse, three in Cross Country and two in Ski Racing…three-time All-NESPAC honors…leading goal scorer junior and senior year, ending with 115 goals total…earned the coaches award in lacrosse in 2025 and in cross country in 2024…played club for Boston Laxachusetts and American Select.
Personal: Alexa Sophia Thornton…born May 15, 2006 in Boston, Mass….daughter of Jennifer and Eric Thornton…has one sibling; twin sister Ella.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "Alexa matches the size and strength of the attacking group super well as a freshman," said Dando. "She came to us with great stick skills and a great use of both hands. She is a power player, which will translate quickly to the college game and I have been really impressed with her in the first couple weeks in practice."
Amy Villanueva
Bronxville, N.Y. | Bronxville High School | Defense
Bronxville High School: Played five years of varsity lacrosse, four of varsity soccer and four seasons of winter track…two-time lacrosse captain…2025 USA Lacrosse Academic All-American…2025 All-Section First Team… five-time All-League (2021-2025)...two-time All-Section Second Team (2023/2024)...two-time All-Section Honorable Mention…2021 Section 1 Class D Champions (15-0 season)...2022 Section 1, Regional and NYS Class D State Champions (21-1 season)...2023 Section 1 and Regional Champions, NYS Class D State Semifinalists (15-8 season)...2024 Section 1 and Regional Champions, NYS Class D State Semifinalists (14-7 season)...Section 1 Class D Semifinalists…finsihed with a total 89 goals, 12 assists, 115 draw controls, 90 ground balls and 76 caused turnovers…played club for Prime Time Club Lacrosse (2019-25)...received All-League honors in women's soccer for four years and served as a team captain…holds the freshman 400m record in track and received All-League honors…only Division I recruited female across all athletics in the Bronxville High School class of 2025.
Personal: Amy Rose Villanueva…born February 14, 2007 in Bronxville, N.Y…daughter of Jen and Joe Villanueva…has two siblings; Harry and Van…brother Van plays rugby at Harvard.
Coach Dando's Scouting Report: "Amy's tenacity as a player, specifically defensively, stood out to me when she was so young and I am really excited to have her here," said Dando. "She's gotten really strong in the last year and she's a hard worker with a super positive attitude."