Coach Stone chose to announce the names of recruits who have signed for the class entering this fall by instagram. I have previously published the names of the recruits who had committed before, and revealed by Max Sports. They were Emma Garvey, Ariel Schumacher, Kelly Baitenger, Alden Bocella and Alexandra Conway. The sixth name was included in the instagram report is Carly Kreytak, from Massachusetts. Her club team claimed she was a late signee ( December 15). All apparently have returned their NLI’s since the College is revealing their names.
They will be replacing the excellent senior class which will graduate six this spring. This will not necessarily end the building of a final class, as often time Coach Stone could reveal more later this spring. One might think that the impact of a first year player would not be that significant, but the season could be 20 games long and often times, as happened this year, first year players provide significant depth and occasionally some could even be an impact player. Two players last year found their way to start and others played significant roles in important games as the season progressed.
I have tried to get handle on this class’ accomplishments and they look impressive . There is one goal keeper who in film looks very athletic, a midfielder that astoundingly has scored more than 100 goals in her career. Most have played multiple sports attesting to their athletic ability and versatility. All are excellent students or they would not have gotten past the Lafayette Admissions Team.
In no particular order here is what I have been able to glean about individuals.
Emma Garvey
Emma is a GK from Buckingham, Brown and Nichols school in Massachusetts and lives in Peabody, Mass. She is 5’4” and 120 pound of athletic ability. I have seen several tapes of her and she moves well and has quick reflexes. She played for Northeast Elite club team and was a selectee for the 2017 AAU Junior Olympics. She was also an all league selectee. She will provide needed depth at goal keeper and I will be looking forward to her arrival in August.
Ariel Schumacher
Ariel is a M/F from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Texas. She was named a Top 40 player by Max Sports for the mid West and West region. She was one of four named in Texas for that honor. She was a key player for Duchesne, who won the state title two years in a row. This year Ariel set up the winning overtime goal in the championship. She played in the Under 16 and Under 19 tournaments at Spook Nook.
Her videos shows an accomplished athlete who shows great promise. She is a welcome addition for the Leopards.
Kelly Baitinger
Kelly comes via Perkiomen Valley in Pennsylvania and is a M/F. She is a well rounded student athlete with field hockey honors that include NIT appearances and significant contributions to her successful high school team. Kelly is particularly impressive in the classroom and sports a 4.62 GPA. This future biology major has many academic awards including excellence in French, Honor Roll, and an “Emerging Genius Award.”
She is also an excellent Lacrosse player. I had the pleasure of inadvertently running into her asst Coach at a Christmas concert, and she had high praise for her. She is excited for this next step and I can’t wait to see her on the turf.
Alden Boccella
Alden comes to Lafayette from Gwymead Mercy Academy. If the school sounds familiar to recent alumni, it is the same school that Emily Valeo came from. Emily was an all league record setter during our back to back league championships and NCAA appearances. Alden is a record setter already in High School having scored more than 100 goals in her career at Gwymead. Not unexpectedly, she was named to the top 50 by Max Sports list. She also plays for WC Eagles. Her field hockey accomplishments include Junior Olympics, all state, and nominations for all American. Her field hockey awards would tax my computer memory.
She is an accomplished student having been named to the distinguished honor roll every semester. She also received the top math award at her high school. The 5’5″ athlete will be a math major at Lafayette.
Alexandra Conway
.Alex joins the Lafayette family via at the Hill School , where she was an important contributor to their success. She is another forward that will add to the Leopard scoring punch. She is an all around athlete having also played basketball. She is an all league and all state nominee for field hockey. and also a WC Eagles player. She played in various indoor tournaments leading her team to numerous championships.
Like her future teammates, she is a strong student. She received honors in the national latin exam and was a consistent high honor roll student.
Carly Kreytak
Carly comes to Lafayette from Phillips Academy in Andover. It is a storied program who won its state division title again this year. It was led by their team captain Carly Kreytak. Carly had transferred from Middlesex but quickly found her way to a leadership position at Andover. Her coach notes that Carly ” Leads by example and brings positive energy on and off the field.” ” She brings a high level of play every time she steps on the field.” She is a center back and as we know at Lafayette it can be the central position on the team. Her Coach ( Martha Fenton), praises her level of skill and knowledge of the game. ” She is really skilled . Her stick skills are phenomenal and has in the last 3 or 4 years gained a real understanding of the game.” Her teammates say, ” Carly brings a lot positivity and really pumps everyone up before every practice and every game. She keep us going and keep the team motivated.”
She sounds like just the type of athlete that Coach Stone would like!!
I am sure there will be more information put out by Lafayette later on, but this is what I can glean at the moment. I am sure the new Leopards will be joining their teammates at Kirby for a basketball game soon, and they will have a chance to mix and bond as a new team at that time.
This will not preclude some later additions to the team, but it is an impressive mix and I can’t wait to see them on the field in August. Meanwhile spring practice is around the corner which will bring it’s own excitement to Rappolt Field!!
Lafayette College Field Hockey 