BROOKLYN, N.Y. – LIU Brooklyn head women's lacrosse coach Allison Hanley has announced eight additions to the program for the 2016 season. Virginia Gibbons, Kathryn Harvey, Becca Williams, Rorie Crum, Jayde Sains, Candice Mosal, Mackenzie Rolland and Jillian May will all be part of the Blackbirds roster this upcoming spring.
Gibbons, a 5'5" goalie from Farmingville, N.Y., attended St. John the Baptist High School for three years and Sachem High School East for one. Gibbons helped her St. John's squad to a championship game against St. Anthony's, and also helped make history at the high school with fellow Blackbird, Jillian May, by beating Sacred Heart and Kellenburg twice in the same year. While at St. John's, Gibbons posted a personal-best 22 saves against Kellenberg.
"Virginia is a dedicated player," Hanley said. "In the pipes she prides herself in technique. We are looking forward to developing her hand speed and footwork to improve her complete game in the cage."
Harvey, a 5'7" midfielder comes from British Columbia, Canada, where she attended Dr. Charles Best Secondary School. While in school, Harvey was a four-year starter in both lacrosse and volleyball. Harvey played for Team BC, where she helped her squad win a Junior Women's Box Lacrosse National Title in 2015.
"Kat does it all," Hanley said. "With her box experience we expect her to not miss a beat at this level. She is not afraid of physical play and can be very shifty in tight space as much as in transition. We will rely on her heavily in her midfield role."
A 5'9" midfielder from Churchville, Md., Williams was a four-year letterwinner of the lacrosse and soccer team at Harford Technical High School. She was named captain of her lacrosse squad both junior and senior year. Williams ended her high school career as Harford Technical's all-time leading scorer. She was also named Female Athlete of the Year at Harford Technical, All-County junior and senior year, and Harford County Athlete of the Month during her junior year.
"Becca has good size and strength coming into this year," Hanley said. "She gained a lot of confidence in her senior season as a leader in points and captain of her high school team. We expect her to make a place for herself as a defensive midfielder and distribute the ball for us on attack with her vision."
Crum, a midfielder standing at 5'6" from Maryland, was a four-year letterwinner in both lacrosse and volleyball at the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore. She was selected captain of her lacrosse squad her junior and senior years. During her junior lacrosse season, Crum won the Unsung Hero Award and the IAAM All-Star Award. Crum finished her high school career with 180 draw controls, 150 ground balls and 86 goals.
"Rorie is a smart player and a student of the game," Hanley said. "She brings patience, poise and lacrosse IQ. She has good instincts on attack and defense making her a very versatile player."
A 5'4" midfielder, Sains played three years of high school lacrosse at North Babylon. The Long Island-born addition won All-Division honors both her junior and senior years. Sains was a part of the Long Island Top Guns team while in high school, where she helped them win a handful of tournaments.
"Jayde is an excellent off-ball player," Hanley said. "She sees lanes and openings well and we know she can be a finisher that complements our already potent offense. She plays the games with attitude and we hope it becomes contagious on our team."
Mosal, a 5'6" midfielder from Saint Johns, Fla., was a four-year letterwinner at Creekside High School. Creekside's squad selected Mosal as captain both her junior and senior season, and she was named MVP after her final season at Creekside. Mosal was also selected as a US High School All-American during her career. Meanwhile, she played on both the Brine National Team in 2013 and the Orlando National Team in 2014. Mosal also earned the Fastest Female Freshman Award at Creekside.
"Candice is a crafty player," Hanley said. "She can dodge, cut and create space for teammates. She is a well rounded player we expect to impact the program immediately."
Rolland, a 5'7" Canadian-born midfielder, is a junior transfer from Pfeiffer University. Rolland played in 35 games at Pfeiffer, tallying 29 total points (23 goals and six assists). Prior to Pfeiffer, Rolland attended high school at North Surrey Secondary in British Columbia, where she was named Athlete of the Year in 2011 and 2012.
"Mackenzie comes to us with a couple of collegiate seasons under her belt already," Hanley stated. "She is laid back and low maintenance but on the field she is vocal, intense, positive and demanding of everyone around her. She has a great mentality and plays with purpose, and her experience at this level already shows."
May, a 5'7" attacker, joins the Blackbirds this season after transferring from Ohio State. May is from Babylon, N.Y., where she attended St. John the Baptist High School with fellow Blackbird, Virginia Gibbons. May was part of ESPN's High School Top 100 players in 2013. Also while at St. John she earned All-Catholic League honors her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. St. John's women's lacrosse team named her captain of her their squad both her junior and senior year.
"Jill is powerful and wants to win," Hanley said. "She has vision, a pretty stick and a cannon shot so we can't wait to have her on the field with us officially."
The Blackbirds will be in action on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the HEADstrong tournament, hosted by Hofstra University.