Mountain Hawk seniors reflect on careers heading into Senior Day Sunday
10/12/2017 11:18:00 AM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh Field Hockey Senior Day is this Sunday as the Mountain Hawks face Georgetown in their final nonleague home game. Gametime is set for 1 p.m. with Senior Day recognition set to begin just before the top of the hour.
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Excelling on and off the field, this senior class has combined to post a 3.35 cumulative GPA. Together, they have helped lead a culture change under second-year head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. In the words of Dallmeyer, "Our senior class is something special - leadership wise, work ethic wise and discipline wise. They really embody the accountability and the discipline that we have continued to preach throughout this season. They've done a great job of showing up every day, really believing in this program and being proud to be a Lehigh Field Hockey team member."
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Heading into Sunday's contest, Lehigh's four seniors reflected on their careers in the Brown and White.
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#5 Jackie Renda – Midfielder – Roseland, N.J. – Finance – Renda Feature Story (September, 2017)
Renda has been a steady force for the Mountain Hawks over her career, having played in all 65 career games entering this weekend. As a freshman, she played in all 18 contests, making 11 starts while posting a goal and assist. She followed that up with two assists as a sophomore and three assists as a junior when she was named second team All-Patriot League and garnered the team's Athlete of the Year award. An impressive all-around student-athlete, Renda was also one of just five from the Patriot League named All-League and Academic All-League. Continuing her success as a senior, Renda was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week just last week after helping the Mountain Hawks defeat Lafayette for the first time since 2005. The defensive midfielder assisted on the game-winning overtime goal while helping shut-out Lafayette for just the sixth time in its last 56 games against Patriot League opponents. Renda's impact goes beyond statistics as her leadership has helped pave the way for the younger player. Owning a 3.60 cumulative GPA in Finance, Renda is co-captain of SAC (Student-Athlete Council) and has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and NFHCA National Academic Squad following every season.
Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
JR:Â My favorite field hockey memory is definitely our overtime win against Lafayette. Hearing the winning shot hit the backboard then running into the arms of all my teammates was pure joy. My senior class knew we did not want to leave Lehigh without a win against Lafayette, and our win that night reassured us that all the work we have put into the program is paying off.Â
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JR:Â My fellow seniors are some of the most important people in my life. I know I can trust them with anything and we have all been through each others' best and worst moments. No one knows me better and I know we are going to be friends for life.
Â
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JR:Â Going into Senior Day, I feel a lot of pride. Even though my career on LUFH is coming to an end, I feel like my fellow seniors and I accomplished a lot for the program, especially in terms of helping improve the team culture. It's sad that my time on the field is almost over, but hopefully the impact my class has made off the field will last a lot longer.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
JR:Â Definitely my teammates! I have made some of my closest friends through LUFH and leaving behind such a great group of girls is going to be really difficult next year.Â
What are your postgraduate plans?
JR:Â I'm working at Prudential Capital Group in an investment analyst program.Â
Â
#15 Laura Yuh – Midfielder/Defender – Voorhees, N.J. – Marketing and Management – Yuh Feature Story (September, 2016)
Yuh's highlight season came last year when she started all 17 games as an anchor of the Mountain Hawks' defense. She finished the season tied for second on the team with two defensive saves, helping the Mountain Hawks post three shutouts on the year. Yuh was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead Lehigh to a 1-0 shutout of Holy Cross. She hasn't played this season due to injury, but has still played an important role in the team's season as a student assistant. Also strong in the classroom, Yuh was named the team's Scholar-Athlete of the Year following the season. The Marketing and Management major is co-captain of SAM (Student-Athlete Mentors) and currently owns a cumulative GPA over 3.0.
Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
LY: Definitely beating Lafayette. The sense of accomplishment came from not only the outcome, but also from our teammates. Hearing "not four more" repeated throughout the game and hearing everyone say they wanted to win it for our class meant the world. To have had that kind of positive impact on our team as a senior class is the most amazing and gratifying feeling in the world.
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LY: Simply put, they are my best friends. They have taught me more about myself than I could've ever imagined, and I wouldn't have wanted to spend the last four years with anyone else. We've gone through a lot together and I will be forever grateful for the friendships I have with each and every one of them.Â
Â
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
LY: It's hard to believe it's already our Senior Day. The last four years have flown by, and it's definitely bittersweet to see it end. I am so proud to have been a member of LUFH, and I'll miss having field hockey be a part of my daily life. However, I am ready for the next chapter of my life and really excited to see what the future holds.
Â
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
LY:Â The people. I am so fortunate to have worked with some awesome coaches and to have met some of my best friends through this program. It'll definitely be weird not seeing them everyday, and I'm grateful to have been a part of a team that makes leaving so sad.
Â
What are your postgraduate plans?
LY:Â I will be working in management consulting for Accenture Federal Services in Washington, D.C.Â
#16 Julia Washburn – Defender/Midfielder – Summit, N.J. – Political Science – Washburn Feature Story (July, 2017)
After playing in seven games as a freshman, Washburn has come into her own over the past three years. She played in 15 games, with 10 starts as a sophomore, recording an assist and defensive save. Last season, she started all 17 games, helping the Mountain Hawks post three shutouts as Lehigh shut-out consecutive Patriot League opponents for the first time in program history (1-0 over Holy Cross and 6-0 over Colgate). The success has continued this season as Washburn has been part of a defense that has shut-out LIU Brooklyn and Lafayette while allowing just one goal to La Salle and Sacred Heart. Washburn has played plenty of midfield in 2017 as well, assisting on Teresa Carotenuto's overtime goal vs. the Leopards. Strong in the classroom, the co-captain of C.O.A.C.H. (Community Outreaching for Athletes who Care about Helping) owns a 3.66 cumulative GPA in Political Science. She has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and NFHCA National Academic Squad every year. As a freshman, Washburn was named an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction for earning a fall semester GPA over 3.9.
Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
JW:Â My favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory was beating Lafayette this year. The win broke a 13-game losing streak to Lafayette, which felt incredible. It was amazing to get that win in my last year at Lehigh because it felt like a culmination of all our hard work. It meant so much to my class that the underclassmen wanted that win so badly for us and I hope that they continue this tradition of beating Laf so I can come back every year to see it.
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JW: My fellow seniors are my absolute best friends and my favorite people. I wouldn't be who I am without them and I credit my entire college experience to the quality of my relationships with my class. I will always be so grateful that I got this lucky.
Â
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JW:Â I'm sad to leave the program, especially now, because I feel that LUFH is in a great position to see a ton of growth in the coming seasons and I wish I could be on the field for that success. However, I'm excited knowing that Lehigh Field Hockey has prepared me well for the next chapter of my life. Â
Â
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
JW:Â I will miss spending so much time with all of my favorite people and being able to celebrate all of the little wins with them.Â
Â
What are your postgraduate plans?
JW:Â I will be working at Prudential Financial in a Finance Leadership Development Program.
Â
#27 Alexis Arancio – Goalkeeper – Freehold, N.J. – Psychology and Health, Medicine & Society
A consummate team player, Arancio saw her first-career action as a sophomore for the Mountain Hawks, playing vs. Siena, No. 12 Liberty and Cornell. She was then an integral part of the team last season, and the beginning of this year, as a team manager. In September, Arancio showed a true team-first mentality when offering to be in goal when the team was in need. Strong in the classroom, Arancio owns a cumulative GPA over 3.0 in psychology.
Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
AA:Â Beating Lafayette in overtime this year is by far my favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory. I can't think of a way to describe the feeling exactly. However, the palpable energy throughout the game and the motivation from Coach Dallmeyer to not let four more seniors graduate without beating our rival will always be highlighted in my mind.
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AA: If it were not for the girls in my class, I would quite literally not be the person I am today- and for that, I am forever grateful. Over the past four years, they have become some of the best friends I have ever had. They have challenged me, guided me, accepted me and loved me the way sisters would. Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AA: Field hockey has been my life since I was about 12 years old, and although my collegiate career has been a unique one, I will definitely miss having this sport a part of my daily life. The lessons I have learned and the mentors that I have been introduced to in my collegiate career are two things that I will hold with me throughout the rest of my life. I am immensely honored to have encountered them at a young age.Â
Â
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
AA:Â What I will miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey is the sensation of working hard for a common goal in a team atmosphere with some of my closest friends and amazing coaches.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AA: Following graduation, I am preparing to go to graduate school in pursuit of a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
Â
Â
Excelling on and off the field, this senior class has combined to post a 3.35 cumulative GPA. Together, they have helped lead a culture change under second-year head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. In the words of Dallmeyer, "Our senior class is something special - leadership wise, work ethic wise and discipline wise. They really embody the accountability and the discipline that we have continued to preach throughout this season. They've done a great job of showing up every day, really believing in this program and being proud to be a Lehigh Field Hockey team member."
Â
Heading into Sunday's contest, Lehigh's four seniors reflected on their careers in the Brown and White.
Â
#5 Jackie Renda – Midfielder – Roseland, N.J. – Finance – Renda Feature Story (September, 2017)
Renda has been a steady force for the Mountain Hawks over her career, having played in all 65 career games entering this weekend. As a freshman, she played in all 18 contests, making 11 starts while posting a goal and assist. She followed that up with two assists as a sophomore and three assists as a junior when she was named second team All-Patriot League and garnered the team's Athlete of the Year award. An impressive all-around student-athlete, Renda was also one of just five from the Patriot League named All-League and Academic All-League. Continuing her success as a senior, Renda was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week just last week after helping the Mountain Hawks defeat Lafayette for the first time since 2005. The defensive midfielder assisted on the game-winning overtime goal while helping shut-out Lafayette for just the sixth time in its last 56 games against Patriot League opponents. Renda's impact goes beyond statistics as her leadership has helped pave the way for the younger player. Owning a 3.60 cumulative GPA in Finance, Renda is co-captain of SAC (Student-Athlete Council) and has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and NFHCA National Academic Squad following every season.Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
JR:Â My favorite field hockey memory is definitely our overtime win against Lafayette. Hearing the winning shot hit the backboard then running into the arms of all my teammates was pure joy. My senior class knew we did not want to leave Lehigh without a win against Lafayette, and our win that night reassured us that all the work we have put into the program is paying off.Â
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JR:Â My fellow seniors are some of the most important people in my life. I know I can trust them with anything and we have all been through each others' best and worst moments. No one knows me better and I know we are going to be friends for life.
Â
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JR:Â Going into Senior Day, I feel a lot of pride. Even though my career on LUFH is coming to an end, I feel like my fellow seniors and I accomplished a lot for the program, especially in terms of helping improve the team culture. It's sad that my time on the field is almost over, but hopefully the impact my class has made off the field will last a lot longer.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
JR:Â Definitely my teammates! I have made some of my closest friends through LUFH and leaving behind such a great group of girls is going to be really difficult next year.Â
What are your postgraduate plans?
JR:Â I'm working at Prudential Capital Group in an investment analyst program.Â
Â
#15 Laura Yuh – Midfielder/Defender – Voorhees, N.J. – Marketing and Management – Yuh Feature Story (September, 2016)
Yuh's highlight season came last year when she started all 17 games as an anchor of the Mountain Hawks' defense. She finished the season tied for second on the team with two defensive saves, helping the Mountain Hawks post three shutouts on the year. Yuh was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead Lehigh to a 1-0 shutout of Holy Cross. She hasn't played this season due to injury, but has still played an important role in the team's season as a student assistant. Also strong in the classroom, Yuh was named the team's Scholar-Athlete of the Year following the season. The Marketing and Management major is co-captain of SAM (Student-Athlete Mentors) and currently owns a cumulative GPA over 3.0.Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
LY: Definitely beating Lafayette. The sense of accomplishment came from not only the outcome, but also from our teammates. Hearing "not four more" repeated throughout the game and hearing everyone say they wanted to win it for our class meant the world. To have had that kind of positive impact on our team as a senior class is the most amazing and gratifying feeling in the world.
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LY: Simply put, they are my best friends. They have taught me more about myself than I could've ever imagined, and I wouldn't have wanted to spend the last four years with anyone else. We've gone through a lot together and I will be forever grateful for the friendships I have with each and every one of them.Â
Â
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
LY: It's hard to believe it's already our Senior Day. The last four years have flown by, and it's definitely bittersweet to see it end. I am so proud to have been a member of LUFH, and I'll miss having field hockey be a part of my daily life. However, I am ready for the next chapter of my life and really excited to see what the future holds.
Â
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
LY:Â The people. I am so fortunate to have worked with some awesome coaches and to have met some of my best friends through this program. It'll definitely be weird not seeing them everyday, and I'm grateful to have been a part of a team that makes leaving so sad.
Â
What are your postgraduate plans?
LY:Â I will be working in management consulting for Accenture Federal Services in Washington, D.C.Â
#16 Julia Washburn – Defender/Midfielder – Summit, N.J. – Political Science – Washburn Feature Story (July, 2017)
After playing in seven games as a freshman, Washburn has come into her own over the past three years. She played in 15 games, with 10 starts as a sophomore, recording an assist and defensive save. Last season, she started all 17 games, helping the Mountain Hawks post three shutouts as Lehigh shut-out consecutive Patriot League opponents for the first time in program history (1-0 over Holy Cross and 6-0 over Colgate). The success has continued this season as Washburn has been part of a defense that has shut-out LIU Brooklyn and Lafayette while allowing just one goal to La Salle and Sacred Heart. Washburn has played plenty of midfield in 2017 as well, assisting on Teresa Carotenuto's overtime goal vs. the Leopards. Strong in the classroom, the co-captain of C.O.A.C.H. (Community Outreaching for Athletes who Care about Helping) owns a 3.66 cumulative GPA in Political Science. She has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and NFHCA National Academic Squad every year. As a freshman, Washburn was named an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction for earning a fall semester GPA over 3.9.Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
JW:Â My favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory was beating Lafayette this year. The win broke a 13-game losing streak to Lafayette, which felt incredible. It was amazing to get that win in my last year at Lehigh because it felt like a culmination of all our hard work. It meant so much to my class that the underclassmen wanted that win so badly for us and I hope that they continue this tradition of beating Laf so I can come back every year to see it.
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
JW: My fellow seniors are my absolute best friends and my favorite people. I wouldn't be who I am without them and I credit my entire college experience to the quality of my relationships with my class. I will always be so grateful that I got this lucky.
Â
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JW:Â I'm sad to leave the program, especially now, because I feel that LUFH is in a great position to see a ton of growth in the coming seasons and I wish I could be on the field for that success. However, I'm excited knowing that Lehigh Field Hockey has prepared me well for the next chapter of my life. Â
Â
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
JW:Â I will miss spending so much time with all of my favorite people and being able to celebrate all of the little wins with them.Â
Â
What are your postgraduate plans?
JW:Â I will be working at Prudential Financial in a Finance Leadership Development Program.
Â
#27 Alexis Arancio – Goalkeeper – Freehold, N.J. – Psychology and Health, Medicine & Society
A consummate team player, Arancio saw her first-career action as a sophomore for the Mountain Hawks, playing vs. Siena, No. 12 Liberty and Cornell. She was then an integral part of the team last season, and the beginning of this year, as a team manager. In September, Arancio showed a true team-first mentality when offering to be in goal when the team was in need. Strong in the classroom, Arancio owns a cumulative GPA over 3.0 in psychology.Â
What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?Â
AA:Â Beating Lafayette in overtime this year is by far my favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory. I can't think of a way to describe the feeling exactly. However, the palpable energy throughout the game and the motivation from Coach Dallmeyer to not let four more seniors graduate without beating our rival will always be highlighted in my mind.
Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AA: If it were not for the girls in my class, I would quite literally not be the person I am today- and for that, I am forever grateful. Over the past four years, they have become some of the best friends I have ever had. They have challenged me, guided me, accepted me and loved me the way sisters would. Â
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AA: Field hockey has been my life since I was about 12 years old, and although my collegiate career has been a unique one, I will definitely miss having this sport a part of my daily life. The lessons I have learned and the mentors that I have been introduced to in my collegiate career are two things that I will hold with me throughout the rest of my life. I am immensely honored to have encountered them at a young age.Â
Â
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
AA:Â What I will miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey is the sensation of working hard for a common goal in a team atmosphere with some of my closest friends and amazing coaches.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AA: Following graduation, I am preparing to go to graduate school in pursuit of a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
Â
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
D
/ Field Hockey
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