Field Hockey Announces 2008 Incoming Class
Eight new faces to join UConn Field Hockey Program in the fall

STORRS, Conn. (June 20, 2008) – The University of Connecticut field hockey team has announced that eight student-athletes will join the program beginning with the 2008 season.

The 2008 University of Connecticut field hockey incoming class includes Allison Angulo (Mount Bethel, Pa.), Ali Blankmeyer (Convent Station, N.J.), Colleen Connolly (Duxbury, Mass.), Lizzie Dunbar (Southbury, Conn.), Rayell Heistand (Hamburg, Pa.), Katie Littlejohn (Enfield, Conn.), Cara Silverman (Roseland, N.J.) and Jill Kleeblad (Naarden, Holland).

Angulo, a 5-6 midfielder, tallied 44 goals and 24 assists over her prep career at Bangor (Pa.) High School.  She helped guide the Slaters to a combined mark of 24-2 over her junior and senior campaigns and back-to-back East Division Championships.  Angulo also lettered in track and softball in addition to being named to the All-Area Academic Field Hockey squad.

Blankmeyer, a 5-4 midfielder, totaled 44 goals and 43 assists during prep career at Morristown (N.J.) High School.  She was named as the Morristown Daily Record Player of the Year and was also recognized as a second team All-State choice as a senior.  She helped guide the Colonials to a pair of conference and sectional titles during her tenure and also lettered in swimming and lacrosse.  Her father, Ed Blankmeyer, is the head baseball coach at St. John’s (N.Y.) University.

Connolly, a 5-2 midfielder, helped lead Duxbury (Mass.) High School to a 32-16-14 over three varsity prep seasons.  She was a three-year starter and a three-time league all-star selection.  Connolly also lettered in ice hockey for four seasons and lacrosse for two.  She helped the Dragons claim the 2007 Massachusetts High School State Lacrosse Championship.

Dunbar, a 5-9 midfielder, was a four-year letterwinner at Pomperaug (Conn.) High School where she helped the Panthers post a 75-10 mark, claim three consecutive Southwest Conference titles and a state runner-up finish in 2007.  Over the last three seasons, Dunbar has tallied 59 goals and 46 assists.  She was recognized with All-State honors in each of her final two prep seasons.  Dunbar also lettered in tennis and basketball at Pomperaug H.S.

Helstand, a 5-3 back, was a four-year letterwinner at Hamburg (Pa.) High School.  She helped lead the Hawks to the state semifinals as a junior and was selected as the 2007 Berks County Player of the Year.  Helstand was a three-time Pennsylvania All-State First Team member and earned three consecutive mentions to the All-Berks County Team.  A three-sport prep athlete, Helstand also lettered in swimming and track and field.

Littlejohn, a 5-8 forward, was a four-year letterwinner at Enfield (Conn.) High School where she totaled 34 goals for the Raiders.  Littlejohn was a three-time All-Conference selection and a two-time All-State choice.

Silverman, a 5-7 forward, was a three-year varsity letterwinner at West Essex (N.J.) High School where she helped lead the Knights to three consecutive New Jersey State Championships.  She totaled 30 goals, 33 assists and helped West Essex H.S. post a 65-4-1 mark over her three prep seasons.  Silverman earned All-State Second Team honors as a senior and third team All-State status as a junior.

Kleeblad, a 5-11 back, has been a member of the club field hockey program at Willem de Zwijger College in Bussum, Holland.  During her final season at Willem de Zwijger College, Kleeblad helped her team to a third place finish in the national tournament.

UConn opens the 2008 regular season on Saturday, August 30 when it plays host to Sacred Heart beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.