Seven Signings for Lady Laxers will Bolster 2009 Team
January 12, 2008
Loretto, Pa. – Seven student athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at Saint Francis University as members of the 2012 graduating class and will contribute their unwavering aptitude of lacrosse for the Red Flash in 2009.
Head coach Steph Marcon has attracted seven talented ladies from across the United States to put Loretto lacrosse on the map. Marcon’s seven incoming freshmen all hail from a different state. Products from Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, New York, Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania will revolutionize the face of the Red Flash when they step out onto DeGol Field for the first time next February.
Pennsylvania’s own Katie Chippini (Chester Springs, Pa./Downington East) will bolster the Flash’s midline right from the get-go. Katherine Dacany (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) brings her east coast prowess to stabilize the defense in ’09. An all-around athlete from New Jersey, Sheri Fort (Sicklerville, N.J./Washington Township) should prove to be a recognizable force in the transition game. Jenna Griffiths (Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) proven athleticism will amplify the speed on the Flash’s front line. A young lady with numerous accolades accredited to her resume, Catherine Helming (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) will raise the bar, and the tenaciousness of the defense in 2009. Making the journey north from sunnier surroundings, Chelsea Kent (Winter Springs, Fla./Winter Springs) brings a southern style of lacrosse to the Flash’s offensive unit. Lauren Kerley (Silver Spring, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross) carries her knowledge of defense to the backfield to aid in the defensive efforts of the lady laxers.
“I am very excited to welcome the 2012 class to the Red Flash lacrosse program, university and community,” asserted Marcon. All seven young women will bring a wealth of lacrosse knowledge, tremendous work ethic, a love for the game, and strong academic backgrounds to our team. We have acquired attackers and midfielders who have proven to be scoring threats and will help add depth to our offensive game. Defensively, we have acquired solid players who are very experienced, have great stick skills, and speed. We look forward to these seven women joining our team next fall as they all have the ability immediately impact our program as we continue to build.”
Katie Chiappini
5’7 Midfield/Defense
Chester Springs, Pa./Downington East
Lettered in lacrosse, soccer and basketball at Downington East…Slated at the midfield position for lacrosse and played goalkeeper on the soccer team…Member of the National Honor Society…Born on February 21, 1990…Plans to pursue a degree with Saint Francis’ renowned physical therapy department.
Steph Marcon on Chiappini:
“Katie is a workhorse in the midfield and has constant energy, helping us maintain our momentum during our 2008 campaign. Her speed, skill, and understanding of the game will greatly impact our transition game.”
Katherine Dacany
5’6 Defense
Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls
Four year letter-winner for the Potomac Falls Panthers…Two-time All-District nominee…Selected to the All-Regional team…Earned two letters for the Panthers in basketball and one for cross-country…Member of National Honor Society…National Art Honor Society…AP Scholar…National Merit Commended Student…Born on May 22, 1990…Plans to major in History and Secondary Education.
Steph Marcon on Dacany:
“Katie will fit in great to our defensive unit. She is relentless on defense and having played on M&D Red Club Team with Lauren Kerley will help unify our defense. Katie is an excellent student and athlete and will be very successful during all of her four years.”
Sheri Fort
Sicklerville, N.J./Washington Township
5’5 Midfield/Defense
Received three letters for Washington Township’s lacrosse program…Her team won the Olympic Conference Championship three years in a row…Nominated for Second Team All-Conference for her proficiency at defensive wing…Academic All-American…Selected as team captain in 2008…In 2007, Fort produced 24 goals…99 ground balls…17 draw controls…17 forced turnovers…six blocks…Received three letters in field hockey…Selected to the Second Team All-Conference in field hockey…Also earned two letters in basketball…Member of the National Honor Society…Decorated with school’s Student-Athlete Award…Daughter of Edward and Linda Fort…Born on June 18, 1990…Plans to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy.
Steph Marcon on Fort:
“Sheri is a scrappy midfielder who is able to deny a player on defense and then make it up the field to help in the transition. She comes up with many interceptions and ground balls, which will help with increasing our possession. Sheri will be a great addition to our current roster.”
Jenna Griffiths
Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline Academy
5’3 Attack
Earned two varsity letters for the Lions’ lacrosse team…Piloted her team as captain her junior year…Member of the Greater Cincinnati League First-Team…First female from Urusline Academy to receive a Division I scholarship to play lacrosse…Also netted two letters for the Lions field hockey team…Earned Academic All-American honors for field hockey…Daughter of Geoff and Sharon Griffiths…Born on January 21, 1990…Plans to earn a degree in Physical Therapy.
Steph Marcon on Griffiths:
“Jenna’s athleticism and work ethic will help provide scoring opportunities on attack and will help with possession in the midfield. Jenna is a committed student and athlete and will be a great addition to our program.”
Catherine Helming
Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy
5’9 Defense/Midfield
Earned two letters for Braves’ lacrosse team…Captain of Canandaigua girls’ varsity lacrosse team for 2007-2008 season…All-league honorable mention in 2007… Canandaigua girls’ varsity lacrosse Most Improved Player in 2006… Canandaigua girls’ junior varsity lacrosse Most Valuable Midfielder in 2005…Earned five letters for Canandaigua alpine ski racing team from 2003-2008…Captain of Canandaigua alpine ski racing team in 2007-2008...Produced three varsity letters for Canandaigua’s varsity cheerleading team…Captain of Canandaigua’s cheerleading team in 2007-2008…Manufactured 10 total varsity letters for the Braves…US Lacrosse Academic All-American in 2007…Member of the Canandaigua honor roll every quarter…Channel 10 News Scholar Athlete in 2007-2008…New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award from 2004-2007…Sally Davis Scholar Athlete in 2006 (New York state Ski Racing Association…Molly Brown Scholarship Award recipient…Daughter of Gary and Pam Helming…Born on October 24, 1990…Plans to enroll in the Physician Assistant program in the fall.
Steph Marcon on Helming:
“Catherine is an extraordinary athlete who has excelled not only on the field, but also in the classroom and her community. Her experience, tenacity, and skill will raise the bar for our defensive unit. We are looking forward to having Catherine’s determination and defensive expertise in the upcoming year.”
Chelsea Kent
Winter Springs, Fla./Winter Springs
5’3 Attack
Produced three letters for Bears’ lacrosse team…Bears varsity captain…First-team All Conference…Second-team All Conference…Named to Central Florida All-Star team…Recipient of school’s Coach’s Award…Daughter to Phyllis Kent…Born on September 10, 1990…Plans to enlist in Physician Assistant program.
Steph Marcon on Kent:
“Chelsea is a very unselfish player who has a knack for feeding the ball, but also knows when a scoring opportunity is in her hands. Her hustle, field sense, and determination will be evident from the first time she steps on DeGol Field.”
Lauren Kerley
Silver Spring, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross
5’2 Defense
Awarded two varsity letters for Holy Cross’ lacrosse team…Played on a team that boasted an 18-2 record in 2007-2008…WCAC Honorable Mention All-Conference Award…Member of JV cross country team…Daughter of Jim and Kathy Kerley…Born on December 4, 1990…Plans to enroll in Physical Therapy program.
Steph Marcon on Kerley:
“Lauren has great footwork, speed, and skill that will help her make a smooth transition. I am very excited to see Katie and Lauren play together again, as they are unstoppable on the double team. Lauren comes to Saint Francis from a very prestigious high school and she will no doubt continue her excellence here academically and athletically.”