March 17, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University's field hockey has signed nine incoming freshmen for the 2008 season, Head Coach Steve Jennings has announced. The class includes five players from Pennsylvania, and one each from Kentucky, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Maryland.

Julie Arowcavage, Allison Baron, Melissa Casale, Tatum Dyer, Natalie Ellenberger, Evan Fowler, Jaclyn Krizovensky, Lauren McHale and Sarah Millman have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Eagles.

"Overall, the words that come to mind to describe this class are speed, skill and athleticism," said Jennings. "This class is full of talented players who come from great high schools and club programs--they are steeped in winning and have an unbelievable amount of potential. We are tremendously excited about incorporating their abilities and personalities to our culture at AU and believe we can each help each other--collectively and individually--attain the heights we aspire to reach."

Arowcavage is a midfielder/defender from Kingston, Pa. and was an all-state honorable mention selection. "Julie has great skills and excellent instincts about the game," Jennings said. "Her versatility to play in multiple spots combined with her great touch on the ball give us a great threat throughout the lines."

Baron comes to AU from East Norriton, Pa. after being named a two-time First Team All Main Line Times honoree and will look to add to the Eagles attack. "Alli's speed and skill pose a big problem for opponents," Jennings noted. "We will look to use her deception and penetrating runs to give us extra fire power in the attack."

Casale, a Lawrenceville, N.J. native, was a three-time Central Jersey FHCA First Team member as a forward. Jennings says Casale is "fast and able to make plays and set up those around her with great deception. She tracks incredibly well with the ball and causes great threats to the deep defense with her ability to pass and finish."

Dyer, an accomplished midfielder from Windham, N.H., is a two-time all-state award winner. Jennings calls her "fast, relentless, and tough. Tatum is able to control her zone and loves going forward. She is excellent at dispossessing the opponent and creating passes. A two time first team All-State player and regional All-American, she will add a great deal to our midfield line."

Ellenberger, a midfielder/defender from Gaithersburg, Md., was an AAU Junior Olympic Selection prior to coming to American. Jennings notes that Ellenberger is a "superior athlete with a great hockey mind and competitiveness to match. Natalie impacts every game she takes part in and we look forward to being able to use her versatility and presence."

Fowler, a goalkeeper from Louisville, Ky., was a four-year letter winner at DuPont Manual High School. "Evan is a very talented goalkeeper with strong basics," Jennings said. "We will look to build on the solid foundation of knowledge she possesses. Her passion for the position will be a spark for us."

Krizovensky hails from Collegeville, Pa. and was a three-year letter winner at Archbishop John Carroll and named an AP Scholar. "Jaclyn is a speedy defensive midfielder who always stays in the play, her determination on defense and offense will be a key in pressuring opposing teams," Jennings said.

McHale, an all-state honorable mention from Willow Street, Pa., will join the Eagles defensive unit. Jennings calls McHale "a very strong defender possessing solid distribution skills. Her ability to initiate our attack with multiple types of passes out of the backfield will be very important for us over her career."

Millman rounds out the group of nine incoming freshmen. Another defender, from Center Valley, Pa., Jennings calls Millman an "excellent tackler and no nonsense player, she plays exactly the game we like--take care of the ball and find the next pass. Steady and dependable she was recognized as one of the best defenders in the state of Pennsylvania."

The Eagles are coming off of a successful 16-5 season and played an undefeated league schedule for the fifth consecutive year and won its fifth-straight Patriot League Championship. American will graduate three seniors this spring, but will return the core last year's squad that fell just short of an NCAA Tournament appearance, falling to Ohio, 3-2, in double overtime in the play-in game.