UConn Lacrosse Signs Seven For 2005-06

STORRS, CT (Dec. 20) – University of Connecticut head women’s lacrosse coach Bonnie Rosen announced the addition of seven National Letter of Intent signees for the 2005-06 academic year. The geographically diverse group features a pair of Ohioans, two New Yorkers and single residents of Connecticut, Colorado and Maryland.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this recruiting class,” Rosen says. “This group is representative of what our program is all about. They are all outstanding athletes who are committed to excellence both on the field and in the classroom and who have demonstrated a true passion for the game. The fact that they are from different parts of the country is a testament to the growth of lacrosse and it is a thrill for me to see the UConn lacrosse family represent that national growth.”

Jamie Antonious (Baltimore, Md. / Mercy HS) – Defensive Midfielder.....A four-year varsity starter at Mercy...A highly accomplished track and cross country runner, Antonious earned three varsity letters in cross country and four more in indoor track...An all-county finisher in both the 800 meters and 1600 meters...Helped the cross country team to a pair of state championships...Won the “Iron Woman” award for track three times and in cross country once...A two-year member of the National Honor Society and Girls Athletic Association president.

Lauren Duffy (Madison, Conn. / Daniel Hand) – Defender…Selected to represent Lower New England 1 at the US Lacrosse National Tournament…Earned second-team all-state recognition along with first-team all-conference, and All-Area...Won the team’s defense award...In addition to her projected four lacrosse varsity letters, also boasts four varsity letters in soccer and two more in basketball...Has received both the school’s coaches’ award and its most improved award on the basketball court...Student Council Vice President who is also the school band’s flag squad captain...Has been a fixture on the Daniel Hand honor roll throughout her academic career and also won the school’s art award.

Caitlin Kasch (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Cheyenne Mountain HS) – Midfielder…Competed for the Rocky Mountain team at the US Lacrosse National Tournament in 2004, helping the team go 6-0 to win its division...Led the entire state of Colorado at the end of the 2004 regular season with her 54 goals (in 14 games)...After starting as a freshman at Air Academy High School, transferred to Cheyenne Mountain and helped start the school’s first team...A four-year member of the school’s varsity dance team which placed third in the state championships...Also earned a varsity letter in diving...Member of the school’s honor roll.

Whitney Michele (East Rochester, N.Y. / East Rochester HS) – Midfielder…Recognized as a US Lacrosse All-American in both 2003 and 2004...Represented New York 1 at the US Lacrosse National Tournament…A first-team all-county selection each of the past three seasons and was named the Monroe County Player of the Year in 2003...Led the school in goals and assists as both a sophomore and junior...Helped the team to a state runner-up position in 2002 and 2003 along with a sectional runner-up finish in 2004...Selected to participate in the Empire State Games each of the past four years...Will graduate with 15 varsity letters, earning five each in lacrosse, field hockey and basketball...Named first-team all-state in field hockey each of the past two years...Helped East Rochester to the 2004 New York Class C Championship in field hockey and semifinal berths in 2001-03...Served as team captain in both field hockey and lacrosse...Member of the National Honor Society and the math honor society while placing on East Rochester’s high honor roll.

Ashley Mitchelides (Hudson, Ohio / Hudson HS) – Attacker…As a junior in 2004, led the team in scoring, netting 38 goals with 25 assists while scooping up 25 ground balls...Named All-League as a junior and will captain the squad this upcoming season...Helped Hudson to the state semifinals in 2003 and quarterfinals in 2004...Also earned three varsity letters in field hockey and another in basketball...Named to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s All-Star Team in field hockey as a first team All-Northeastern Ohio pick...Team captain in both field hockey and lacrosse...Serves on the Hudson High School student body’s leadership council.

Kathryn Ryan (Hamburg, N.Y. / Hamburg HS) – Midfield Defender…Recognized as a US Lacrosse All-American honorable mention in 2004….Selected to play on New York 1 at the US Lacrosse National Tournament...An All-Western New York pick in 2004 and an honorable mention selection in 2003...Twice earned all-conference honors...Netted a team high 75 goals last spring...Helped Hamburg to the 2004 sectional championship...In addition to her lacrosse prowess, also has earned varsity letters in soccer, basketball, swimming and track...Named all-conference in soccer (three times) and basketball (twice) while finishing in her sectional top eight in the pool...Has spent six semesters on the honor roll with at least a 95 average...Received a medal from the U.S. Army Reserves for Excellence in Academics and Athletics.

Amanda Wilson (Hudson, Ohio, Western Reserve Academy) – Goalie…Played on the Great Lakes 1 team at the US Lacrosse National Tournament...Named All-Midwest and All-Northern Ohio...A two-time first-team all-conference selection, also earning honorable mention as a freshman...Also lettered for four years in soccer, earning a pair of all-conference awards..Captained both the lacrosse and soccer teams at WRA...Made the school’s merit roll as a junior.

The next signing period for women’s lacrosse begins on April 13.