Jan. 27, 2003

Villanova, Pa. - Head coach Shannon O'Neil announced today that eight prospective student-athletes will enroll at Villanova University in the fall of 2003 and join the women's lacrosse program.

The group includes: Attack Christina Bahrs (Shore (N.J.) Regional H.S.); Whitney Boulton, Defense, (Bay Shore (N.Y.) H.S.); Goalie Jess Brozena (Shore (N.J.) Regional H.S.); midfielder Rebecca Gardner (Harborfields (N.Y.) H.S.); midfielder Kristen Hicks (James W. Robinson (Va.) Secondary School); Attack Tierney Hoover (St. Paul's (Md.) H.S.); Marissa Lucy, defense, (Worcester Preparatory School); and midfielder Jamie Schneider (Worcester Preparatory School).

"We are very excited to add this group to our program," said O'Neil, who will begin her third season at the helm in March. "It is the strongest all-around class we have brought to Villanova. There is strength in all areas of the field, from attack to goal. Each one of these players is deeply involved in both academics and athletics at their respective schools. They have excelled at both and we look forward to having them join us for the 2004 season."

Bahrs was a 2002 U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American who led her team to a 20-1 record as a junior. She finished second in scoring from her attack position and first in groundballs. Especially effective on draw controls - she controlled 65 percent of the draws she was involved in last season - Bahrs is expected to contribute immediately.

"Christina can play strong at both ends of the field and has a great placement on her shot," said O'Neil.

An excellent player in her own zone, Boulton will bolster Villanova's defense. A former MVP of the Villanova Girls Lacrosse Camp, she helped lead her high school team to the Suffolk County championship two seasons ago.

"Whitney is one of the best communicators on defense I have seen," said O'Neil. "She has great footwork, is extremely competitive and will augment our aggressive in-your-face type of defense."

Like Bahrs, Brozena helped make Shore Regional a force in South Jersey in 2002 from the all-important goalie position.

"One of the things I really like about Jess is that she has great goalkeeping mechanics," O'Neil stated. "She takes quick steps to the ball and makes smart clears."

Gardner is a midfielder with tremendous speed. She is another who is very effective on draw controls and earned All-County honors as a junior at Harborfields High School. In addition, Gardner also excels in field hockey and indoor track.

"We have really tried to bring speed into our program these last few years and Rebecca gives us more of it," said O'Neil. "Her skill on draw controls will help us as well."

Hicks brings versatility to the 'Cats as she can play on defense or in the midfield. She was a first team all-district choice as a junior at James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax Station, Va.

"Kristen is a good young player who can help us in a lot of ways," noted O'Neil.

More help on the attack arrives in the person of Hoover, a member of the varsity at St. Paul's School since her freshman year. Hoover has excelled against superior competition throughout her prep career.

"Tierney has an uncanny knack for feeding the open player," O'Neil said. "She's played with and against some of the best players in the country and that kind of competition will help her at this level."

Lucy is a defensive cornerstone at the elite Worcester Preparatory School. Named Mason Dixon Player of the Year in 2002, Lucy helped lead her squad to an 18-1 record and the Eastern Shore Independent Conference title. What's more, she contributed 44 interceptions.

"It's very rare that a young player positions herself as well as Marissa does," said O'Neil. "Her positioning is flawless and she reads her opponents very well as those interceptions suggest."

Lucy's teammate, Schneider, was also a Mason Dixon First Team honoree in 2002. She was named to the all-conference team in each of her three seasons on the varsity and took home the Coaches Award in 2002. A midfielder, she also plays soccer.

"I anticipate Jamie will help us all over the field," explains O'Neil. "She brings great stick skills and speed to our program. Her aggressiveness will help us."

This group of eight is scheduled to begin classes at Villanova in the fall of 2003.