LOWELL, Mass. – Freshly appointed, UMass Lowell women's lacrosse head coach,
Lisa Miller, announced this year's incoming recruit class as the River Hawks welcome a whopping, 13 student-athletes to the squad. This will be the largest incoming class the River Hawk women's lacrosse team has seen, since the first recruit class in 2015.
"I am excited to begin work with these young women as our program enters the next phase of competition," commented Miller. "They, along with the returning upperclassmen, will be actively involved in building the foundation for a culture that empowers young women, creates 21
st century leaders and develops great teammates and relationships. The Class of 2023 is an energetic, positive, and hard working group committed to constant improvement, each other and to making an impact on the River Hawk program."
Joining the team for the River Hawks will be Molly Shaw (Marshfield, Mass.), Layton Nass (Manhasset, N.Y.), Grace Hansen (Stamford, Conn.), Alexandra Palermo (Reading, Mass.) Natalie Choate (Spencerport, N.Y.), Isabella Liquori (Agawam, Mass.), Caroline Klim (Wretham, Mass.), Julia Napolitano (Oakdale, N.Y.), Jillian Mello (Freeport, N.Y.), Anna Bauter (Dexter, N.Y.), Mary Peticca (Strasburg, P.A.) Abigail McLaughlin (Walpole, Mass.), and Madison Grazidei (Bayport, N.Y.)
RIVER HAWK WOMEN'S LACROSSE PLAYER PROFILES
Name: Molly Shaw
Hometown/High School: Marshfield, Mass. / Marshfield High School
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'6
Club Team: Laxachusetts
Major/Minor: Nursing
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity team member at Marshfield High School … Three sport athlete, competing in field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse … In her senior year, was captain of all three teams … Awarded Atlantic Coast League All-Star for all three sports during her sophomore, junior and senior year, including her freshman year for ice hockey … Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic Team selection during her junior and senior year… Marshfield High School Sportsman Award for ice hockey her sophomore year … Member of the National Honor Society … Member of the Marshfield High School Student Council and Key Club … Received the MHS Outstanding Leadership Award.
Personal: Daughter of Denise and John Russell Shaw of Marshfield, Mass. … Has two siblings, Jack (RPI Men's Lacrosse, 2015-19) and Will (Assumption College Men's Lacrosse, 2016-20) … father played for the Babson College Men's Lacrosse team from 1983-84 … Enjoys surfing, cooking and fishing ... Lists Friends as her favorite TV show … Names the Patriots and Bruins as her favorite sports teams … Names Rob Gronkowski as her favorite athlete … Hopes to receive her degree in nursing and work at a Boston hospital.
Why UMass Lowell: "I chose UMass Lowell for the friendly environment and the location, which provides me a great opportunity to study something I love."
Name: Layton Nass
Hometown/High School: Manhasset, N.Y. / Sacred Heart Academy
Position: Attack/ Midfield
Height: 5'7
Club Team: Long Island Yellow Jackets, Northport
Major/Minor: Biomedical Engineering
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity team member at Sacred Heart Academy in both lacrosse and swimming … senior captain of the swim team… Member of the 2018 championship team for lacrosse … Named to the principals list all four years … Member of the National Honor Society and Science Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Amy and Rich Nass of Manhasset, N.Y. … Has two siblings, Karlyn and Dillon … Enjoys sailing, scuba diving, swimming and skiing... Names the Boston Bruins as her favorite sports team … Lists Game of Thrones, The Office, Grey's Anatomy and The Crown as her favorite TV shows … Names Lindsey Vonn as her favorite athlete.
Why UMass Lowell: "The sense of community I felt from the team and the campus, are what drove me to the University."
Name: Grace Hansen
Hometown/High School: Stamford, Conn. / Westhill High School
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'10
Club Team: Gold Coast Lacrosse, Wilton CT
Major/Minor: Biology
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity team member at Westhill High School in lacrosse, basketball and soccer … captain of the lacrosse and basketball team in her junior and senior year … senior captain of the soccer team … Scored over 160 goals and lead her team to their first-ever state game in team history …. Set the record for most draws, assists, and goals in school history … Awarded Team MVP in her sophomore, junior and senior year … All-FCIAC for all three sports in her four years … News 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year, ranked in the top five percent of her graduating class … Member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Lisa and Peter Hansen of Stamford, Conn. … Has three siblings, Jake, Anna and Audra … Enjoys coaching both lacrosse and basketball ... Lists Criminal Minds, The Office, NCIS and Park and Recreation as her favorite TV shows … Names the NY Giants as her favorite sports team … Lists John Wooden as her favorite sports figure, because of the way he would teach his players to tie their shoes before they stepped onto the court … Names her greatest sport moment, when she scored her 150th goal on senior day, helping the lacrosse team qualify for their first-ever state tournament.
Why UMass Lowell: "When I first came to UMass Lowell I was immediately welcomed into the family. The players were extremely encouraging, and I saw right away how determined they were to improve. The school has so much to offer in my academic journey, and the opportunities here seem very valuable."
Name: Alexandra Palermo
Hometown/High School: Reading, Mass. / Reading Memorial High School
Position: Attack
Height: 5'4
Club Team: Mass Elite
Major/Minor: Graphic Design / Digital Media
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity team member at Reading Memorial High School … senior captain and team MVP all four years… In her senior year, recorded 88 goals, 35 assists, and 88 draw controls … was a EMGLCA First-Team All-Star … was the Salem News All-Star, 2018 Eastern Mass DII All-Star … North East Conference All-Star … Middlesex League First Team All-Conference in her junior, sophomore and freshman years … Northshore Chamber of Commerce Scholar ranked in the top five percent of her graduating class … Member of the Teen Leadership program and coach for youth lacrosse.
Personal: Daughter of Sandra and Michael Palermo of Reading, Mass. … Has one sibling, Nick … Enjoys Taking pictures, hanging out with friends, going to the beach and playing with her French Bulldog Henri... Names the Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins as her favorite sports teams … List Tom Brady as her favorite athlete … Enjoys watching Glee, Bachelor in Paradise and Impractical Jokers.
Why UMass Lowell: ""I fell in love with the campus and the team. The university has my competitive major while still being close to my family and friends."
Name: Natalie Choate
Hometown/High School: Spencerport, N.Y. / Spencerport High School
Position: Attack
Height: 5'4
Club Team: Common Goal Lacrosse
Major/Minor: Biomedical Engineering
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity team member and three sport athlete at Spencerport High School … Named to the Lacrosse First-Team All-Country, four consecutive years … Captain of the lacrosse team her senior and junior year … In her senior year, was awarded Lacrosse All-State Honorable Mention, and recorded 200 career goals… Soccer State Champion her junior year … Soccer Sectional Champion her junior, sophomore and freshman year, as well as Wrestling Sectional Champion her junior year … Ranked in the top 10 of her graduating class … Member of Ranger Robotics, Principals Advisory Council and student government … Member of the Spanish Honor Society and GEMS.
Personal: Daughter of Stephanie and David Choate of Spencerport, N.Y. … Has two siblings, Ryan and John… Enjoys painting, robotics, traveling and taking pictures … Names the Buffalo Bills as her favorite sports team … Lists Kayla Treanor as her favorite athlete … Enjoys watching Greys Anatomy, Breaking Bad and Friends From College.
Why UMass Lowell: "The urban environment is what pushed me to this campus. And the new Biomedical Engineering building is definitely a plus!"
Name: Isabella Liquori
Hometown/High School: Agawam, Mass. / Agawam High School
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'7
Club Team: Lax Plus
Major/Minor: Undeclared
High School/Previous School: Three-year varsity team member at Agawam High School … Senior captain of the lacrosse and field hockey team … 2019 US Lacrosse All-American … Named to First-Team All-Western Mass for three consecutive years … Super Seven select her senior and junior year … Named to Mass./R.I. National Tournament team her junior and sophomore year.
Personal: Daughter of Tracie and Antonio Liquori of Agawam, Mass. … Has two siblings, Antonio and Nina … Enjoys shopping, going to the beach, weightlifting and boating in her free time ... Names the New England Patriots as her favorite sports team … Enjoys watching Friday Night Lights … List Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek as her favorite sports figures.
Why UMass Lowell: "Seeing all the growth that UMass Lowell has gone through definitely pushed me to choose this university. The people here are so friendly and I can't wait to see what the future holds."
Name: Caroline Klim
Hometown/High School: Wrentham, Mass. / King Philip Regional High School
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'9
Club Team: Boston Laxachusetts
Major/Minor: Nursing
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity team member at King Philip Regional High School … Senior captain and team MVP her junior year … 2X Hockomock League All-Star First Team … 3X Sun Chronicle All-Star … Awarded King Philip Rookie of the Year her freshman year … Member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Socitey.
Personal: Daughter of Nancy and Gregory Klim of Wrentham, Mass. … Has one sibling, Andrew … Enjoys mountain biking, spin class and sailing ... Names the Patriots as her favorite sports team … List Pat Summitt as her favorite sports figure … Hopes to work in a Massachusetts hospital after graduation.
Why UMass Lowell: "I love the team and I knew right away it was the perfect fit for me. The atmosphere at UMass Lowell was unlike any other school I visited. I felt at home, everyone is so nice, and the campus is close enough that I am able to see my family often. UMass Lowell is also one of the few DI schools that allow Nursing Majors to play a sport."
Name: Abby McLaughlin
Hometown/High School: Walpole, Mass. / Walpole High School
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'9
Club Team: Mass Elite
Major/Minor: Business Administration
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity team member at Walpole High School … Senior captain recording 56 goals and 38 assists … 2X Bay State League All-Star … Led her team to their fourth consecutive DI conference championship … Selected member of undefeated Mass./R.I. team at the US Lacrosse Women's National Tournament … Honor roll student all four years, graduating with a GPA over 4.0.
Personal: Daughter of Aimee and John McLaughlin of Walpole, Mass. … Has two siblings, Josh and Matt … mother played lacrosse at Penn State from 1987-88 and her brother, Josh, played soccer at Plymouth State from 2013-14 … Enjoys traveling, art and playing with her dog ... Names the Bruins as her favorite sports team … List Taylor Cummings and Mia Hamm as her favorite athletes … Hopes to travel the world after college, and be working in a field that she is passionate about.
Why UMass Lowell: "I loved the closeness of the team and how everyone supported each other. I also liked the idea of being part of a new and growing DI program. The university has a renowned business school that also appealed to me and my future dreams."
Name: Julia Napolitano
Hometown/High School: Oakdale, N.Y. / Connetquot High School
Position: Defense
Height: 5'4
Club Team: Long Island Yellow Jackets
Major/Minor: Exercise Physiology / Business Administration
High School/Previous School: Four-year varsity starter at Connetquot High School … Captain of the squad her senior and junior year … Team MVP and Toughest Defender Award recipient her senior year, as well as, an All-American Nominee and Suffolk County All-County Award … Suffolk County All-Division Award her junior year … Suffolk County Unsung Hero Award her sophomore year … Member of the National Honor Society and National Business Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Joanne and Craig Napolitano of Oakdale, N.Y. … Has three siblings, Jessica, Joanna and Bobby … Her sister, Joanna, played lacrosse at Dominican College from 2014-18 … Enjoys going to the beach and running ... Names the NY Giants as her favorite sports team … Names Brooke Gubitosi as her favorite athlete … Hopes to become a physical therapist.
Why UMass Lowell: "The size and energy of the campus are what helped me with my final decision in choosing a school!"
Name: Mary Peticca
Hometown/High School: Strasburg, P.A. / Lampeter-Strasburg High School
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5'5
Club Team: Xtreme PA
Major/Minor: Clinical Laboratory Sciences
High School/Previous School: 2X Lancaster-Lebanon League First Team All-Star … Varsity captain at Lampeter-Strasburg High School … Exceeded 220 saves in her senior season … Led her team to the District 3 AA semifinals her junior and senior year, as well as the PIAA quarterfinals in her junior year … 2X All Phillylacrosse Central PA First Team.
Personal: Daughter of Beth and Mark Peticca of Strasburg, P.A. … Has one sibling, Marco … Enjoys paddle boarding, hiking and spending time with her friends, family and dog ... Names the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers as her favorite sports teams … Names Allen Iverson as her favorite athlete … Hopes to work in cancer research after graduation.
Why UMass Lowell: "The campus made me feel like I was at home. It also helps that they have a great research program for the clinical laboratory major."
Name: Anna Bauter
Hometown/High School: Dexter, N.Y. / General Brown High School
Position: Defense
Height: 5'5
Club Team: Syracuse Salt City Snipers
Major/Minor: Exercise Science
High School/Previous School: Varsity captain at General Brown High School for lacrosse, basketball and soccer … First Team Frontier League for all three sports in her senior year … Section 3 Scholar Athlete … In her junior year, was captain of the lacrosse and soccer team … Tenacity award winner for General Brown girl's lacrosse … First Team Frontier League for lacrosse and basketball in her junior year … Vice President of her class all four years …Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Kristen and Stacy Bauter of Dexter, N.Y. … Has two siblings, Lee and Nancy … Enjoys fishing, playing with her dogs and antique shopping ... Names the Minnesota Vikings, Bruins and Celtics as her favorite sports teams … Names Taylor Cummings as her favorite athlete … Hopes to attend medical school to become a physician's assistant.
Why UMass Lowell: "The exercise science program was a big draw for me to this school. The campus environment and team culture are something I'm really looking forward to be a part of."
Name: Jillian Mello
Hometown/High School: Freeport, N.Y. / Kellenberg Memorial High School
Position: Attack
Height: 5'8
Club Team: Long Island Top Guns
Major/Minor: Business Administration
High School/Previous School: Played club lacrosse for the Long Island Top Guns… In her junior year, was the 2018 Brine National Champions … Captained the team in her sophomore year … Member of the National Honor Socitey.
Personal: Daughter of Susan and William Mello of Westbury and Long Beach, N.Y. … Has two siblings, Kellee and Christopher… Enjoys going to the beach and working out ... Names The Flash as her favorite TV show … Names the NY Giants and Yankees as her favorite sports teams … Hopes to pursue a job in the marketing field after graduation.
Why UMass Lowell: "Walking onto campus, I loved the environment, and the university offers a great chance for me to pursue a career in business."
Name: Madison Grazidei
Hometown/High School: Bayport, N.Y. / Bayport Blue Point High School
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5'7
Club Team: Long Island Yellow Jackets
Major/Minor: Health Sciences
High School/Previous School: Three-year varsity team member at Bayport Blue Point High School … Member of the varsity lacrosse and field hockey team … In her senior year, was named to the Honorable All-County team in both lacrosse and field hockey … In her junior year, was named to the All-Division team in lacrosse and All-Tournament team in field hockey … Awarded All-Division and All-Tournament for lacrosse and field hockey during her sophomore year.
Personal: Daughter of Jeanine and Vinny Grazidei of Bayport, N.Y. … Has one sibling, Vincent … Enjoys going to the beach, working out and art activities ... Names the NY Giants and Yankees as her favorite sports teams … Names Megan Taylor and Nicole Levy as her favorite athletes … Hopes to keep on playing lacrosse at the highest level and to work with children in either education of the medical field.
Why UMass Lowell: "I chose UMass Lowell because I'm getting the best of both worlds with academics and lacrosse."
