Blue announces addition of five incomers to field hockey program

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh head field hockey coach Stacey Blue has announced the addition of five student-athletes to the field hockey program on Wednesday. All five come to Lehigh from New Jersey and look to help fill the holes left by three departed seniors.

"This class has raw potential, speed, talent, athleticism and they have all been on championship teams," said Blue. "As a collective group their work ethic, attitudes and commitment will help our program get to the next level. I am truly excited for these fab five to be a part of LUFH in August."

The class includes players who can contribute all over the field in a variety of positions. They will join a young Mountain Hawks' squad which returns 12 of the 13 players who recorded a point last season along with Julia Ward who started all 18 games in goal in her freshman campaign.

For the player-by-player rundown, please see below.

Alexis Arancio • D • Freehold, N.J. • Business

Arancio was a four-year starter and letterwinner at Freehold Borough High School in New Jersey. A 2013 team captain, she helped lead Freehold to the New Jersey Group III State Championship in 2010 and 2011. Freehold was also state sectional champions from 2010-13. Arancio earned several honors and awards, including first team All-Conference in 2010, 2012 and 2013, third team All-State in 2011, second team All-State in 2012 and first team All-State in 2013. Arancio played for Jersey Intensity from 2008-2014, participating in the National Field Hockey Festival and Disney Tournaments from 2010-14, winning gold medals in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Her team finished in third place at the 2012 National Club Championship. She was a guest player for Total Dutch at National Field Hockey Festival 2011. Arancio was awarded a varsity letter in Indoor Track. In the classroom, Arancio was a member of the National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society and Lead for Diversity Club. She was a participant in Model UN in 2013 and DECA in 2014.

Coach Blue on Arancio: "An amazing defender, her footwork, poise and correct decision making helps her get the ball every time. She has a work ethic like no other."

Katie Morris • GK • Clinton Township, N.J. • Arts and Sciences

Morris was a standout goalkeeper at Oak Knoll School. An All-County honoree as a junior, she helped lead her team to the first of two straight Union County Championships (in 2012 and 2013). Oak Knoll was also Group One North Champions and Group One State Champions in 2012. Then in 2013, Oak Knoll was Non Public State Champions and finished in second place at the Tournament of Champions. As a member of The Edge club team, Morris led her squad to Big Apple Memorial Day Tournament Championship in 2012 while finishing in second place at both the Regional Club Championships and National Field Hockey Festival. The Edge followed in 2013 by coming in second in the National Indoor Tournament. Morris has excelled in the classroom as well, earning a spot on the honor roll and high honor roll. She garnered the Scout Scholar-Athlete Award as a junior and received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and Outstanding Community Service Award.

Coach Blue on Morris: "Great goalkeeper who knows how to keep the ball out of the cage."

Jackie Renda • M • Clinton Roseland, N.J. • Business
Renda comes to Lehigh from West Essex Regional High School. In 2013, she earned first team All-Essex County honors, first team All-Super Essex Conference and first team All-North Jersey Coaches recognition. Renda was a New Jersey Regional All-American, Star Ledger third team All-State and a second team National All-American. As a junior, Renda was named first team All-Essex County, first team All-Super Essex Conference, first team All-North Jersey Coaches, New Jersey Regional All-American and a Star Ledger second team All-State honoree. She garnered second team All-County and All-Conference in 2011. Renda also earned multiple Academic All-America honors and was a member of the National Honor Society. She garnered the NJSIAA Female Scholar-Athlete award as a senior and was in the top 10 percent of her graduating class.

Coach Blue on Renda: "Amazing talent and stick skills. Her vision, aggressiveness and shot selections are certainly going to be an asset to our team."

Julia Washburn • F/M • Summit, N.J. • Arts and Sciences

Washburn was a four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starter at Summit High School in New Jersey. Team captain and MVP as a senior, Washburn was the 2013 Nancy Mueller Award recipient. She is Summit's record holder in career goals while also dishing 28 assists. In her senior year, Washburn earned first team All-Group 2, first team All-Union County and first team All-Conference (Essex-Union). Washburn was named Summit High School's Student-Athlete of the Week during the season, was a Star Ledger Week 3 Top Performer and was selected to the NJFHCA Senior All-Star Game. As a sophomore, Washburn was first team All-Union County, first team All-Conference and second Team All-North Jersey Group 2. She was also part of New Heights Field Hockey Club and competed in USA Field Hockey Futures Level I. Washburn was selected as an alternate for the 2012 National Futures Championship.

Coach Blue on Washburn: "Quiet and Quick. She is a consistent player who knows how to get to the goal. Every time I see her play, she impresses me with her skills."

Laura Yuh • M/D • Voorhees, N.J. • Arts and Sciences

Yuh comes to Lehigh from a highly-successful program in New Jersey, Eastern High School, the same school as recently-graduated Marie Mignogna and rising sophomore Rachael Block. Yuh helped lead Eastern to three state championships, most recently helping the program win a 15th consecutive state title. Eastern was ranked #1 in the nation in both her junior and senior seasons. Yuh was recently selected as a member of the High School National Academic Squad by the NFHCA. Beyond her high school experience, Yuh was a Level 1 Futures program participant and attended the National Futures Tournament in 2013. She was a club member of Spirit of USA since 2010 and participated in Disney Field Hockey Showcase, National Hockey Festival and National Indoor Tournament. Yuh helped lead her squad to third place at the 2012 National Club Championships. She also played two years of softball at Eastern, a team which won the 2012 state championship.

Coach Blue on Yuh: "Has untapped potential. She is speedy and is always one of the hardest workers and most determined players on the field."

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Lehigh University Athletics

Blue announces addition of five incomers to field hockey program

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Players Mentioned

Alexis Arancio

Rachael Block

Marie Mignogna

Katie Morris

Jackie Renda

Julia Ward

Julia Washburn

Laura Yuh

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