Coach Ciufo ready to welcome seven freshmen for the 2016 season

EASTON, Mass. (May 10, 2016) - Stonehill College field hockey head coach Susan Ciufo has announced her first recruiting class for the upcoming 2016 season. Seven incoming student-athletes will comprise the program's Class of 2020.

"Our 2016 class is a very talented and experienced group of players," said Ciufo, who led Stonehill to a second straight Northeast-10 Tournament Championship and NCAA National Semifinals berth in her first season in 2015. "Each one of them are well rounded student-athletes. Their natural athleticism and knowledge of the game are going to be a great addition to our team. We are looking forward to seeing how this group impacts our 2016 season."

Michaela Antonellis
Watertown High School (Massachusetts)
Defender

Four-year letterwinner for Watertown High School that won Massachusetts State Championships all four years. Captain of the 2015 squad that set a national record for consecutive wins at 160.

Middlesex League All-Star for three years. National Honor Society. Boston Herald All-Scholastic

Coach Ciufo on Antonellis: "Michaela will bring a wealth of new leadership to Stonehill. She has a lot of experience playing high level hockey at Watertown. What stands out about Michaela is her presence on the field, a natural competitor that can bring a team up in any situation."

Lauren Cleary
Bridgewater-Raritan High School (New Jersey)
Total Dutch Field Hockey Club
Midfielder

Somerset County 1st Team, 4 Year Varsity Award, Athlete of the week 2011-2015, Courrier News Athlete of the Month, Senior All-Star Game Selection, 1st Team All Skyland Conference, North Group 4 Champion 2011-2015, 2015 State Runner-up 2011-2015, North Group 4 Sectional Champion 2011-2015

Coach Ciufo on Cleary: "Lauren is a smooth player that is highly skilled. Her knowledge of the game and quick skills set her apart on the field. With her experience at every position, we are excited about the possibilities for her at Stonehill."

Christina King
Swampscott High School (Massachusetts)
Seacoast United Essex Field Hockey Club
Midfielder/Defense

Swampscott Field Hockey three year offensive MVP, Salem News student athlete nominee, two year NEC All Conference team Field Hockey, three year All-star/ All Conference team softball, two year student athlete of the month, captain for softball and field hockey

Coach Ciufo on King: "Christina is a smart and poised player. Her reactions to quick balls in the defensive circle make any attacker's difficult. She does a great job of forcing the low percentage shot. Her offensive mindset makes her a threat coming out of the back field."

Taylor Long
Algonquin Regional High School (Massachusetts)
Cape Ann Field Hockey Club
Forward

4 year varsity player. 2015 captain. All-time leading scorer at Algonquin Regional High School with 88 career points. Three time league all-star 2013-2015. League MVP 2015. "Best of 60" State All-Star 2015

Coach Ciufo on Long: "Taylor is a quick forward with an eye for the goal. Her ability to release the ball quickly in the circle and tight spaces will make her a threat on the attacking line. We are eager to see the tenacious play she brings near the goal."

Grace Pickering
Thornton Academy (Maine)
Maine Elite Field Hockey Club
Midfield

Miss Maine Field Hockey 2015. All-Conference First Team as a sophomore, junior and senior. All-State senior year. Captain senior year. National festival as a sophomore and junior. MVP of UNE. Colby. Stonehill and Revolution Field Hockey camps.  "A-team" player for Maine Elite Field Hockey club 2009-2016. All-Academic team senior year and NFHCA/ Keith Waldman Optimal Performance Association High School National Academic Squad 2014, 2015. Press Herald 25 Players to Watch. 2015 Journal Tribune Player of the Year. 2013-15 Journal Tribune All-Star

Coach Ciufo on Pickering: "Grace is a versatile midfielder coming to us from Saco, Maine. Her vision, athleticism and quick thinking makes her a dangerous player on the field. Her ability to command the field is a true testament to her competitive nature."

Jillian Schlegel
Quabbin Regional High School (Massachusetts)
Midfielder

Field Hockey Rookie of the Year. Quabbin MVP (So., Jr., Sr). Field Hockey League All Star Jr and Sr. Field Hockey Telegram and Gazette Super Teams All Star (junior and senior). "Best of 60" Senior All Star. Field Hockey Captain. Captain of Baystate Central Gold medal team.

Coach Ciufo on Schlegel: "Jillian is a nice addition that rounded out our incoming class this spring. We are excited about what Jillian will bring to the team with her high level of fitness, her lengthy reach and smart decision making."

Justine Timmermans
Bossum, St. Vituscollege (The Netherlands)
Midfielder

Currently plays in the first girls' team MA1 (Super A National League) at Huizer Hockeyclub and the team is unbeaten so far this year. Plays for the first ladies team. Played international tournaments in Belgium and France. Justine is the highest rank on her team in assists and earning offensive corners.

Coach Ciufo on Timmermans: "Justine will bring a new level of creative hockey to our program. Justine possesses high speed, great possession skills and vision throughout the field. We are so excited for what Justine will help produce in her four years as a Skyhawk"

Stonehill finished its 2015 season with a 14-7 record overall, including 9-3 in NE-10 play, before going on to win the program's third Northeast-10 Conferece Tournament crown and earn the seventh NCAA Tournament bid in program history.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.