University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Signs Eight to Women's Lacrosse NLI
11/11/2015 6:03:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Sarah Bedard, Claire D'Antonio, Julia Dambly, Mia DeRuggiero, Kelsea Konz, Christine Long, Selena Lugo, and Sydney Rausa will make up the Blue Hens class of 2020.
Bedard is a varsity starter in both soccer and lacrosse for Mountain Lakes High School (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) and also a member of the Building Blocks Lacrosse Club. She is a National Honor Society member who has earned Second Team All League in the Stars and Stripes North Division and Second Team All Morris County for lacrosse.
Bedard is a three-year letter holder who has helped lead her team to the 2015 New Jersey County Conference Section 1 and Group 1 Championships.
“Sarah is a two-sport athlete and natural lefty with solid speed and quickness,” said Linville. “Sarah's vision and ability to dodge will be a great addition to our attack unit.”
A three-sport varsity athlete for Moorestown High School (Moorestown, N.J.), D'Antonio earned the Tournament of Champions state title in 2013, 2014 and Group 3 Sectional Title in 2015 for lacrosse. D'Antonio is a three-year varsity starter for both cross-country and swimming and a member of the South Jersey Select Lacrosse Club.
D'Antonio is a Student Council Representative and a member of the Moorestown Honor and Service Society.
“Claire is known for her speed and consistency. She is the type of athlete who is going to get better every practice and game,” remarked Linville. “Claire is likely to make an immediate impact in the Delaware program.”
A varsity lacrosse four-year starter and captain, Dambly joins the Blue Hens as a midfielder from Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. She is a three-sport athlete who earned Second Team All-Inter-Ac in soccer and lacrosse and Third Team All-State for track her junior year. Dambly, a native from Media, Pa., plays for the Philly Blast Club Lacrosse Team.
Off the field, Dambly is a National Honors Society member and the Student Council Athletics and Activities President.
“Julia is incredibly fast and uses her speed and ability to control the draw to dominate the transition game,” noted Linville. “Julia will be relied upon to contribute to our success in her first year.”
A dedicated student-athlete on and off the field, DeRuggiero will join the Blue Hens from Sparrows Point High School in Middle River, Md. DeRuggiero is a three-sport athlete and a three-year National Honors Society member. She is active in Booster Club, S.P.E.C.I.E.S, MPSSAA Leadership Conference and Athletes Serving Athletes. DeRuggiero plays for the Skywalkers Lacrosse Club.
“Mia is a three-sport athlete and intense competitor”, said Linville. “Her speed, game intelligence, and ability to finish make her a go to player on attack. She will likely make an immediate impact in our transition game and our offense.”
Konz, a native from Potomac, Md., is a two-sport captain from Academy of the Holy Cross and plays for Rebels Lacrosse Club. Her effort and performance on the field garnered her MVP in soccer, the Coaches Award in lacrosse and Second Team All WCAC and All Gazette her junior year.
“Kelsea is quick, aggressive and great off ball awareness,” said Linville. “Her athleticism and leadership skills are likely to make an immediate impact in our defensive unit.”
A four-year varsity lacrosse starter for Mendham High School (Mendham, N.J.), Long earned First Team All League award in the Stars and Stripes South Division both her sophomore and junior year. As a junior she earned First Team All Morris County, First Team All Daily Record, First Team All-Group 3 and Third Team All-State.
Long has volunteered in the Tops Soccer Program and in the Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership program while being a member on the Steps Lacrosse Club.
“Christine has good speed and a high lacrosse IQ, which allows her to read plays and make smart decisions in critical situations,” noted Linville. “Her ability to finish is likely to contribute to our success in her first year.”
A three-sport athlete from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl., Lugo helped her team become District Champions her freshmen year and earned the captain title her senior year. Lugo, a four-year member of lacrosse, cross-country and track, holds a school record for girl's 4x4 relay race. Lugo plays for the LaxManiax Lacrosse Club.
“Selena is a three-sport athlete known for her speed, agility and ability to perform in pressure situations,” said Linville. “Her coachability and athleticism are outstanding and she is likely to make an immediate impact in the Delaware program.”
A two-sport athlete from Ambler, Pa., Rausa was captain of her lacrosse team and leading scorer for field hockey at Hatboro-Horsham High School. On the lacrosse field, Rausa garnered Offensive MVP, Second Team All-Intell, Top Scorer in SOL and First Team All League honors. A member of the National Honors Society and the Future Medical Leaders of America, Rausa is an Academic All-American. She plays for Ultimate Lacrosse Club.
“Sydney is a graceful player to watch and has good speed and great stick skills,” noted Linville. “Her game intelligence and ability to finish are likely to make an immediate impact in the Delaware program.”
Article written by Shannon Hawley, Athletics Media Relations Student Intern
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon at mhayon@udel.edu / 302-831-6389 (office) / 920-912-6635 (cell)
