March 15, 2010
Always reloading, never rebuilding, the River Hawks will welcome an impressive class of 2014 to Cushing Field in the fall. Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk has gathered the brightest talent from across the nation to fill the shoes of the class of 2010 and continue the strong tradition of UMass Lowell field hockey.
“We are very excited about the 2010 recruiting class. They will provide us with depth and balance in all areas of the field,” Hlebichuk said. “Even with all their individual achievements, this group is very team-oriented and they are all excited to be a part of the winning tradition that has been established here at UMass Lowell.”
Among the group of eight are three forwards in Corinne Schultz (Poway, CA), Corinne Trask (East Bridgewater, MA) and Ali Ferraro (Kingston, NY). Rachel McCarthy (Reading, MA) will be a new addition to the midfield line, while Kayla MacDonald (Chelmsford, MA) will be versatile between the midfield and defensive line. Adding to the strong defensive corps will be Hellen Trainor (Louisville, KY), while Hlebichuk also welcomes a pair of new goalkeepers in Katie McClenahen (San Jose, CA) and Melanie Hopkins (Harwich, MA).
Schultz, played three years of varsity field hockey for Coach Michelle Moore at Poway High School where she was a two-time All Palomar League selection and a two-time Team Offensive MVP. She captained her squad while also playing varsity soccer for the Titans. Schultz was a member of the Poway Mystix under Coach Cindi Lou-Villa and was a member of three C.I.F. Quarterfinal teams.
“Corinne will provide depth at the forward line with her size, speed and the development of her stick skills, she will eventually become an impact player for us,” Hlebichuk said.
Trask played for Lisa Roberts at East Bridgewater High School, where she was named a South Shore League All-Star and Enterprise All-Scholastic selection. Trask also plays softball for the Vikings.
“Cori is a fierce competitor who will provide speed, athleticism and strength to our forward line,” Hlebichuk said. “We believe she will bring energy and toughness to the field every day whether it’s to practice or for a game.”
Ferraro, the final forward in the incoming trio, hails from Kingston, NY and was a four-year Scholar Athlete at Kingston High School, where she played field hockey for Coach Deb Eaton. She was a four-time First Time Freeman All-Star and twice named to the All-State squad. Ferraro was a two-year field hockey captain and named MVP of the Mid-Hudson Athletic League. She also played for the Cross River Combo club team out of Pine Plains, NY, for Coach Nanette Simeone.
“Ali is a natural goal scorer,” Hlebichuk said. “She has great elimination skills and her eyes are always set on putting the ball in the back of the cage.”
Ferraro will be a dual-sport athlete at UMass Lowell, where she will also be playing on River View Field as a member of the River Hawk softball team.
McCarthy, a midfielder, comes to Lowell by way of Reading, MA, where she is a three-sport athlete at Reading Memorial High School. She played field hockey for Coach Mim Jarema and was a three-sport captain for the Rockets, also leading her squads in ice hockey and lacrosse. She was named a Middlesex League All-Star, as well as “Best of 60” and a Boston Herald All-Scholastic selection. McCarthy also plays for Coach Ann MacLean on the Granite State Elite club team out of Milford, NH.
“Rachel has tremendous skills and is equally strong both on the offensive and defensive sides of the field,” Hlebichuk said. “She has a great game sense which will help her be able to contribute to both the midfield and forward lines.”
MacDonald, a versatile player with capabilities to play both as a midfielder and as a defender, continues the rich tradition of Chelmsford field hockey players shining at UMass Lowell. Kim Villare (2006) began the lineage, while current River Hawks Jaime Hadley and Chelsea Gillies are also former Lions that played under Coach Maura Devaney. MacDonald was a Lowell Sun All-Star and played in the “Best of 60” game, while she also served as team captain and was an All-Conference selection in the MVC. She also plays lacrosse at Chelmsford and is a member of the Granite State Elite club team, as well.
“Kayla is self-motivated and committed to getting better every day,” Hlebichuk said. “She will be extremely versatile for us and could potentially play any position on the field.”
Trainor hails from Louisville, KY, which also has special meaning to the 2010 campaign. “The Division II Final Four will be held in her hometown of Louisville this year,” Hlebichuk said. “We hope to have a homecoming of sorts for her.”
The defender was a member of the Kentucky State Field Hockey Champion team, Assumption High School, in 2009 and has won medals at the Regional Rumble, NIT and Disney Showcase, and was selected as an alternate for the National Futures Tournament, as well. She served as a team captain while playing for Debbie Judd at Assumption High School and also played for IFHCK club team.
“Hellen is a poised, disciplined player who is going to be ready to compete for significant minutes in our defensive end next season,” Hlebichuk said. “She played for a very successful high school and club program and her high-level playing experience will be instrumental in her success at UMass Lowell.”
Hopkins, the first of two goalkeepers in the class of 2014, is a three-sport standout at Harwich and played four years of varsity field hockey under Cheryl Poore. Hopkins was the MVP of the Cape Cod Classic field hockey team. She was a four-time South Shore League All-Star and a Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Award winner.
“Harwich has a great tradition of producing highly successful collegiate players, including Joanna DaLuze (2006) and Jayne Vagenas (2008), were both on the 2005 National Championship team, and we hope Mel experiences similar success” Hlebichuk said. “Mel has great reactionary skills and is fearless in the cage. She will be an exciting goalkeeper to watch.”
The other freshman in the duo of goalkeepers is McClenahen, out of San Jose, CA. She was named Senior of the Year in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s West Division and BVAL First Team All-League while playing for Coach Stacey Chase at Del Mar High School. She was named to the All-Mercury News First Team and played for the Nor Cal Rush club team for Shiv Jagday, the former US Men’s National Team coach.
“Katie came to us late in the process but after watching her video, we knew she had the skills we were looking for,” Hlebichuk said. “She has terrific foot/eye coordination and has been very well coached.”
With field hockey players from around the nation, each with the ability to bring new perspective, talent and experience to the squad, UMass Lowell field hockey is locked and loaded for a successful 2010 campaign.
“We are looking forward to watching them grow as both student-athletes and young women over the next four years,” Hlebichuk said. “Their potential is limitless.”
