Field Hockey Inks Six in 2022 Signing Class
5/10/2022
NEWARK, Del. - Head Coach Rolf van de Kerkhof and his staff welcome six freshmen for the recruiting class of 2022 to the Delaware field hockey program.
As a program we would like to welcome our new Blue Hen student-athletes. I also would like to compliment them for the maturity they displayed throughout their college search process during the global pandemic. We are very fortunate to welcome a fun, energetic and self-driven class of FreshHens for the 2022 season.Head Coach Rolf van de Kerkhof
Meet the Signees
LAINEY BAKER
Louisville, Ky. | Sacred Heart Academy | Forward
High School | Two-time State Champion (2020, 2021) … Helped her team to a 40-7 record between her junior and senior year … Two-time District and Region Champions … Nominated for the Bunny Doughtery All-In Athlete Award … Fourth-leading goal scorer junior and senior year … Went to NCCs in 2019, 2020, 2021 … Also participated in the Disney Showcase; Winter Escape; NITs U14, U16, U19; Futures/Nexus selected 2019, 2020, 2021; AAU Stealth National Team U16 & U19 … Member of the honor roll freshman, sophomore and junior year.
Personal | Daughter of Amy and Geoffrey Baker … Has an older sister, Caraline and a younger sister, Molly … Her father Geoffrey played baseball at Louisville … Her older sister Caraline swims at Bellarmine University.
Van de Kerkhof on Baker | “We are excited to welcome Lainey and the Baker family from Louisville, KY. Lainey came out to a clinic and that triggered the recruitment conversation and process. Lainey has moments on-field where out of nowhere she pops up and makes an impact on the game. She has solid ball-handling skills, good tactical understanding, and an eye for goal.”
Why UD? | I chose Delaware because I knew I wanted to play college field hockey at the highest level, loved the campus on my first visit, loved the coaching staff.
CAMERON MEDINGER
Baltimore, Md. | Garrison Forrest School | Back
High School | Played field hockey and lacrosse at Garrison Forrest … 2019 IAAM A Conference Champions … 2021 First-Team Maryland All-State … 2019 and 2021 IAAM All-Conference First-Team … 2021 First-Team Baltimore All-Metro … Named to the 2021 High School Players to Watch List by the Baltimore Sun … Named to 2021 MAX Field Hockey High School Regional Players to Watch-Mid Atlantic Top 40 … 2019 Junior Olympics Participant where she was a silver medalist … 2020-2021 NFHCA National Academic Squad … Member of the 2019 and 2021 high honor roll.
Personal | Daughter of Susan and Mike Medinger … Has an older brother, Connor.
Van de Kerkhof on Medinger | “A field hockey experience in high school at UD started Cameron’s journey in becoming a Blue Hen. Cameron has the potential to become a very strong player and leader in our backfield. She has good vision and strong qualities in out-letting and has developed a great understanding of individual and team defense. We are excited to welcome Cameron and believe she is in the position to help this team as a freshman.”
Why UD? | I knew it was the perfect fit when I met the amazing coaching staff and saw the beautiful campus! I can’t wait to call UD home!
EMMA MILLER
Mount Joy, PA | Donegal High School | Forward/Midfield
High School | Played softball and field hockey at Donegal … Member of the 2018 PIAA State Championship and PIAA District Championship teams … Named Second Team All-Star, First Team All-Star and Honorable Mention All-State … Tabbed Max Field Hockey Top-100 … Member of the A, B Honor Roll … President of Student Council … Treasurer of National Art Honors Society … Member of the PHSFHCA All-Academic Team.
Personal | Daughter of Chris and Julie Miller … Has two older sisters, Grace and Lydia, and a younger brother, Christian … Her sister Grace was a member of the Delaware field hockey team from 2018-21 … Her sister Lydia plays field hockey at Towson … Grandfather, Bob Robertson, played professional baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1967-76), Seatte Mariners (1977) and Toronto Blue Jays (1979); helped guide the Pirates to the 1971 World Series Championship ... Father played baseball at Allegheny Community College of Maryland (1994-95) and Mansfield University (1996-97).
Van de Kerkhof on Miller | “Indirectly, Emma was already associated with our program as her eldest sister Grace will be graduating this summer. Like her sister, Emma’s drive to compete and her work-rate is contagious. She has an attacking mindset, but also has an awareness and intelligence to her play that will help raise the level of others around her.”
Why UD? | I chose Delaware because I love the team and coaching staff. The University feels like home to me and I am excited to pursue my elementary education major and play field hockey at the competitive level.
REESE MOMORELLA
Crozet, Va. | The Covenant School | Back/Midfield
High School | Four-year member of the varsity field hockey team at The Covenant School … Member of the BRC 2019 and 2021 Championship teams … Member of the 2021 All-State Team and BRC All-Conference Team … Earned the coaches award in 2020 … Named All-District and All-Region in 2018 … Also played soccer and softball … Four-year member of the Academic Honor Roll.
Personal | Daughter of Steven and Jean Momorella … Has an older sister, Ainsley … Father, Steven, played college baseball at Washington and Lee … Uncle, Tom Slater, played college baseball at VMI … Cousin, Jack Slater, played college baseball at St. John’s River.
Van de Kerkhof on Momorella | “A smart player with the ball and the potential to become a great player for DEHO. Reese is versatile, with an impressive skill set who displays a great amount of passion for the game of field hockey, all of which are qualities which we look for in our Blue Hen Student Athletes.”
Why UD? | When I first attended camp in eighth grade I was immediately drawn to the atmosphere and culture surrounding Delaware. The competitive nature and the coaches' support reassured my decision to go to UD.
IZZY ROTHWELL
Sparks, Md. | The Bryn Mawr School | Back/Midfield
High School | Played field hockey for four years at Bryn Mawr … Member of the 2019 IAAM B Conference Championship Runner-up Team … Named 2019 IAAM B All-Conference Team and 2021 IAAM B All-Conference Team … Earned Maryland All-State Second Team honors in 2021… Tabbed 2021 Baltimore Sun All-Metro Second Team … Earned Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Week honors Oct. 5 2021… Co-Captian of the field hockey team for the 2021-22 season … Played in the Under Armour Select Game in 2019 and 2021… Also played lacrosse and squash at Bryn Mawr … Member of the Honor Roll 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 … Tabbed Scholar-Athlete for the 2020-2021 school year.
Personal | Daughter of Steven and Arameh Rothwell … Has a younger sister, Sophia.
Van de Kerkhof on Rothwell | “Fun and caring person off the field; Competitor and leader on the field, describes Izzy well. She is an amazing teammate, is eager to learn, grow, and has solid basics to build upon. She also possesses a powerful and accurate hit, and will be a weapon on offensive penalty corners!”
Why UD? | I chose the University of Delaware because of its family atmosphere. Growing up I would come to watch the team play and always knew that I wanted to be a Blue Hen. Delaware gives me the opportunity to grow as a student, athlete, and person all while being supported by an amazing coaching staff and team. The combination of strong academics and athletics made me feel right at home.
NOELLE SABBAGH
Lewes, Del. | Cape Henlopen High School | Forward
High School | Played field hockey for four years at Cape Henlopen … Member of the 2019-2021 Division 1 State Championship teams … Named 2021 DIAA Division 1 Offensive Player of the Year … Tabbed First Team All-Conference (2019, 2020, 2021) … First Team All-State (2020, 2021) … 2019 Second Team All-State … Two-time Offensive MVP at Cape Henlopen … Also ran indoor and outdoor track … Academic All-American … Earned the DIAA Crown Trophy Academic Award … Straight A Honor Roll … Served as National Honors Society Vice President.
Personal | Daughter of Joy and Ron Sabbagh … Has two siblings, Marcella and Atia … Sister Marcella plays field hockey at Christopher Newport University and on the Puerto Rican National Team.
Van de Kerkhof on Sabbagh | “In Noelle, we are welcoming a true forward, one who can generate an attack, can assist and is comfortable with all facets of goalscoring. She is lightning fast and we are excited to add her to our attacking rotation as an impact player for UDFH. We are very thrilled to welcome one of the top in-state players to our University of Delaware Program.”
Why UD? | Both academically and athletically, UD was my top choice to help me advance my future as a student-athlete. Once I stepped on campus and met with the coaches and a few teammates, I knew this was the place to be. It is with great pride that I have the opportunity to play for such an honorable and incredible program, that is UDFH.
This past spring has been very beneficial to our new players as they were able to visit with us and participate in field hockey development opportunities on our campus. These connecting moments for our new players will serve to strengthen their development and preparation leading up to the transition from high school and club to college. I would like to thank our FreshHens and their parents for this partnership. Also, I would like to share my appreciation with our current Blue Hen student-athletes, support staff, faculty and UDFH alumnae for their help in the recruitment of this incoming class.van de Kerkhof
