BROOKLYN, N.Y. – LIU Brooklyn field hockey head coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer has announced six freshmen will join the Blackbird family this fall, as the program begins its third season in program history.
 
Elena Andreyev, Riley Lambert, Nicholene Silipino, Taylor Sullivan, Eva van Wakeren and Emilee Vizzuso will join the LIU program in August.
 
"We are really excited to welcome the class of 2022 to the Blackbird family," reigning MAAC Coach of the Year DeSandes-Moyer said. "This class is made up of some of the most well-rounded athletes we've recruited to date, and we are looking forward to seeing their contributions on the field. After a historic season in 2017, we will expect these freshmen to jump right in and help us return to the MAAC championships in 2018."
 

Elena Andreyev comes to LIU from Howell, N.J., where she played for the Mid-Jersey Knights and Freehold Township High School. A midfielder and defender, she was the team captain of the Group 5 State Championship winning team in 2017, a team that won three-straight state championships in New Jersey. She scored 10 goals and had eight assists in her senior season for the Patriots.
 


A multiple time All-Region and All-Conference selection, Riley Lambert joins the Blackbirds from Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she played for Floyd E. Kellam High School and Club Team Tcoyo. A forward and midfielder, she was her team's MVP in her senior season and a four-time team captain, and played three years of varsity basketball. She has also been a part of U19 first place teams both indoors and outdoors.
 

Nicholene Silipino plays midfield and forward for Hammonton High School in Hammonton, New Jersey, and graduated with 25 career goals and 13 career assists. The speedy Silipino was a two-time All-Conference honoree, two-time team captain, and a National Futures Championship section. A National Honors Society member, she also ran track & field for Hammonton.


Taylor Sullivan is a goal-scoring forward and midfielder from Kirkwood, Missouri. An All-Conference honoree, she graduated with 55 career goals and over 30 assists. She ranked #4 in the state of Missouri for goals scored in her junior season, and set a Kirkwood High School record for goals in a season, with 24, while notching 54 points for her squad that year. A two-time team captain, she also played soccer, and was named to the National Field Hockey Academic Squad.


 
Eva van Wakeren is LIU's latest import from the Netherlands. A Balricum native, she played for the Larensche Mixed Hockey Club, and has international playing experience dating back to U8. She also played club golf and tennis in the Netherlands, and will play midfield and forward for the Blackbirds.

 
Emilee Vizzuso is one of the lone defensive-minded recruits of the class of 2022, as she played midfield and back for Montville Township High School in New Jersey, along with the G Force club team. A multiple All-NJCA honoree, she finished her career with 24 assists and 24 career goals. A four-year letter winner and team captain in her senior season, she also played four years of varsity lacrosse for the Mustangs.
 
LIU Brooklyn field hockey begins the 2018 season Friday, August 24, as the Blackbirds take on Saint Louis in a neutral site game in Hamilton, N.Y.