University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Field Hockey Adds Five Freshmen For Fall of 2024
5/31/2024 11:25:00 AM | Field Hockey
NEWARK, Del. – Head field hockey coach Rolf van de Kerkhof and his staff are excited to announce the University of Delaware field hockey class of 2028 as the Blue Hens add five freshmen for the fall of 2024.
Van de Kerkhof added the likes of Kate Janssen, Lily Cosner, Avery McComas, Taylor Vacarro, and Janne Stoetzer.
"We are very excited to welcome this outgoing and self-driven freshmen class. In addition to them all being talented and strong field hockey players, we are fortunate to also welcome solid scholars and great young and passionate people in Kate, Lily, Avery, Taylor and Janne,' said van de Kerkhof."This incoming freshmen class is familiar with what our Delaware Field Hockey program wants to be about and achieve. Their high school and club development and experiences will provide a strong starting point as our newest team members."
Janssen, a midfielder from Laren, The Netherlands, will enter UD as a university studies major. In 2023, she competed in the semifinals for the Dutch field hockey championship as her team finished as the third-ranked team in The Netherlands.
"Kate is a well-rounded player and one ready to execute whatever the task is at hand. Her knowledge and abilities will allow her to play several positions providing us with more depth as a team. Thanks to her HC Laren development and experience she puts herself in a positive position to contribute to DEHO," van de Kerkhof said of Janssen.
Cosner, a midfielder and defender from Doylestown, Pa., will enter UD as a statistics major. While at Central Bucks West High School, Cosner earned her team's most valuable player award three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023. During her junior and senior seasons, she was named First-Team All-State and was listed in the Max Field Hockey top-100 for the class of 2024.
"Lily may look like a calm and easy going person, but as a player she is a true competitor, a hustler and one who loves to play in a team setting. She took advantage of her time at Central Bucks West High School and Finegan's Sports Club which will come in handy on the midfield and backfield lines as a Blue Hen," van de Kerkhof said of Cosner.
McComas, a defender from Cockeysville, Md., is set to become a key contributor on defense and on corners for the Blue & Gold. Her sister, Ryleigh McComas, is set to join the Blue Hens for the 2024 season as a transfer.
"Avery will bring the winner's mentality without being arrogant about it from her Garrison Forest and Freedom years. Her demeanor and outlook will help her deal with pressure and allow her to help others around performing better. She will be an asset to our defensive line and corner. Also excited is that Avery will be in the position to team up with her sister at Delaware," said van de Kerkhof of McComas.
Vaccaro, a midfielder from Olwy, Pa., will enter UD as a biological sciences major in the fall. Vacarro comes to Delaware with a long resume having earned the BCFHCA offensive player of the year and an NFHCA All-America selection in 2023. She was named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad for the 2022-23 season and was a Max Field Hockey top-50 player.
"Taylor has great energy and competitiveness. She is fast and enjoys going forward. Taylor is familiar with winning as she was a key-contributor on Oley's PA State Championship team as a senior. With her speed and skill set she will help the Blue Hens on the midfield and forward lines," said van de Kerkhof.
Stoetzer, a forward from Nijmegen, The Netherlands, will enter UD in the fall as a criminology major. In high school, she was selected to be a member of the Dutch regional team and during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Stoetzer's team advanced to the semifinals of their super A tournament.
"Janne is outgoing and passionate about what she does, especially in field hockey. Her skills and understanding will help her contribute to our offensive production and being the first line of defense. She played competitive hockey at MHC Nijmegen in The Netherlands allowing her to compete for championships and be selected for Junior National Program Districts Teams," said van de Kerkhof of Stoetzer.
"In addition to welcoming a great group of new Blue Hen student-athletes, we are also very fortunate to welcome the Janssen, Cosner, McComas, Vaccaro and Stoetzer families into the DEHO Family."
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware field hockey, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
