Dallmeyer announces Lehigh field hockey incoming first-year class
3/25/2020 1:52:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following its best record since 2007, Lehigh head field hockey coach Caitlin Dallmeyer announced the Mountain Hawks' incoming class of 2023 on Wednesday, which features seven different student-athletes from four different states – and a different country. The student-athletes play positions all over the field, and will look to help the program continue to make strong steps forward in 2020 following a season of progress in 2019.
"This class is a really well-balanced class positionally; they will be able to help us strengthen our depth in all positions on the field," said Lehigh head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. "They all come from strong high schools and club teams, bringing a high level of talent into the program. As coaches, we were very deliberate in identifying and recruiting them to Lehigh. Each one of them models our program values in their past experiences, which is a testament to the way they have carried themselves and developed leadership-wise within their high school and club teams. They will fit our culture well, which is a very important piece for us; we have worked hard to create something special and we won't bring someone in unless we know they can help us further develop.
"We are eager to see what the impact of this class will be on the program and what positive contributions they will be known for as they move throughout their careers."
Abbie Brown • M/F • Mickleton, N.J. • Kingsway • WC Eagles
Brown was a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Kingsway with 62 career goals and 52 assists. Brown was named on the Max Field Hockey Watch List for the Class of 2020 (top 150), and named to the All-Region team. She was selected as All-Conference (4x), All-Area (2x), All-South Jersey (1x), All-Group 4 (2x) and All-State (1x). While at Kingsway, Brown helped her team to two conference championships and the first national ranking in program history at the end of the season (No. 22). Also involved in USA Field Hockey, Brown was selected for the National Futures Championship three times and the AAU Junior Olympics. She also played club field hockey for the WC Eagles. Outside of field hockey, Brown was a member of her high school's S.T.E.M. Academy and was a Student Ambassador. She was inducted into both the National Honors Society and the World Language National Honors Society.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh University because of the rigorous academics, beautiful campus, and the culture of the team. I know I will be able to challenge myself both athletically and academically at Lehigh."
Coach Dallmeyer on Brown: "Abbie is a workhorse; when we started watching her, we recruited her for that reason. However, as time has gone on, she has developed her vision and hockey IQ to a point that allows us to envision her in so many different roles next year. She brings an energetic personality and we are excited to begin molding her leadership abilities into a strong force within our team."
Jenny Canoni • GK • Bronxville, N.Y. • Hackley School • AGH Field Hockey Club
Canoni was a four-year varsity starter and senior co-captain at Hackley School. She was a two-time team MVP and four-time first team All-League honoree. Canoni was named second team All-County. Placing second at the 2018 AAU Junior Olympics, she was a five-time National Indoor Tournament participation and two-time National Club Championship participant (garnering sixth place both years). Canoni played four years of varsity basketball while she was a four-year honor roll student in the classroom as well.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of the competitive academic and athletic environment, the beautiful campus and the seemingly infinite leadership opportunities. The drive and determination of both the players and the coaches really stood out to me and I wanted an opportunity to be a part of something that special."
Coach Dallmeyer on Canoni: "Jenny really impressed us with her personality, both on and off the field. She loves the game and you can see it radiate through her when she plays. She is vocal, aggressive and connects well with those around her often, which is the unifying factor. She adds great depth to our goalkeeping unit; we are excited to now have three goalkeepers to push and support each other behind the net. Jenny's personality will be a great addition to the backfield and one we know will fit in seamlessly with our team."
Julia Gatelein • M/F • Haddon Heights, N.J. • Bishop Eustace Prep • Uprise Field Hockey Club
Gatelein was a three-year varsity letterwinner for Bishop Eustace Prep, missing her senior year due to injury. Despite that, she was named a senior captain in 2019, helping her team win three conference championships, three sectional championships and a state title in her time. Gatelein has garnered a number of honors from Max Field Hockey, being named in the top 150 Class of 2020 in both 2018 and 2019. She was also named to the Top 40 Regional Watch List in 2018. Gatelein put up some impressive statistics, including a team-leading 31 goals and 20 assists for 82 points as a junior. That was good for 11th in the state. The year prior, she recorded 19 goals and 13 assists for 51 points. Among her honors, Gatelein was named first team All-Olympic Conference National Division, first team All-State Non-Public and first team All-South Jersey as a junior. She also garnered second team All-Region by Max Field Hockey. Also a standout for Uprise Field Hockey Club, Gatelein was a U14 Shooting Star Tournament Pool Champion (2016), U16 Region 6 Junior Premier Outdoor League Champion (2018), U16 Regional Club Champion (2018), U16 Bronze Medal National Club Championship (2018) and U19 National Indoor Tournament Pool Champion (2019).
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of its excellent academic reputation, its beautiful campus and location from my home, along with the amazing coaching staff that provided me with the opportunity to play Division I Patriot League field hockey."
Coach Dallmeyer on Gatelein: "Julia comes from the same high school that Drew (Pecora) and MJ (Schwab) did. We know what Eustace produces and it fits our program well. Julia has fantastic stick work in front of the net, as well as a relentless work rate in the circle which makes her a very dangerous attacking threat. She will be a great addition to our forward line or attacking midfielders. We feel so fortunate that we have amazing mentors on those lines, eager to take her under their wing, and assist in developing her so she can make a quick impact."
Maeve Hierholzer • D • Rumson, N.J. • Rumson-Fair Haven • Jersey Intensity
Hierholzer was a four-year varsity starter at Rumson-Far Haven, being named All-State as both a junior and senior. A senior captain, Hierholzer was also named All-Shore Conference her final two years, helping Rumson-Fair Haven to section state championships both those seasons. Also a decorated athlete for the Jersey Intensity club team, Hierholzer was a six-time National Indoor Tournament participant, and was a Junior Premier Outdoor League Champion in 2019. She won a Group Club Disney Showcase championship, while her National Club Championship U16 team placed ninth in 2018. Hierholzer was also a four-year Futures participant. Also strong in the classroom, Hierholzer was named a Scholar-Athlete all four years.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because it is both a perfect academic fit, and Coach Dallmeyer and her staff have given me an opportunity to do what I love most of all – play field hockey. During my first visit, I instantly fell in love with the campus, the positive team vibe and the coaching staff. It was obvious that the team is on an upward trajectory and I need to be a part of it. I felt right at home when I stepped onto the campus at my first field hockey clinic, where I met my future teammates. Lastly, Lehigh University offers challenging, exceptional academics with small class sizes making it possible for me to get close with teachers and my classmates."
Coach Dallmeyer on Hierholzer: "Maeve was a fabulous addition to this class. One of her past coaches had tipped us off about her and we are so grateful she did. Maeve is exactly the style of defender we like – strong and simple. She plays the safe and smart ball as opposed to trying to force out of the backfield. She has great vision that allows her to distribute well and advance the ball in a way that sets up her teammates for success. We are excited to see what she will add to our defensive line."
Emily Mars • M • Stroudsburg, Pa. • Stroudsburg • Mystic Field Hockey
Mars comes to Lehigh from a short ride north of Bethlehem, following a decorated career at Stroudsburg High School. Mary was a three-year varsity letterwinner and starter, serving as team captain as a senior. She won the 2019 Utility Player Award and was an Athlete of the Week nominee by The Morning Call. Also strong in the classroom, Mary was a two-year NFHCA All-Academic Squad honoree. A member of the National Honor Society, she stands in the top 10 percent of her class, has served as class secretary and was a national qualifier in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of the perfect balance between prestigious academics and competitive field hockey. From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like the perfect fit."
Coach Dallmeyer on Mars: "Emily has been a solid player on great teams throughout her development. We first discovered her at a clinic in her home area and she continued to catch our attention at different events. She is a very well-rounded player and fits well into a system. We love her ability to support the play and take calculated risks, which is something we focus on in our style of play."
Lotte Smorenburg • F • Rotterdam, The Netherlands • Wolfert van Borselen, Bilingual • H.V. Berkel en Rodenrijs Girls U18-1
Smorenburg will become the third Mountain Hawk on the roster from The Netherlands, joining Lenke Havas and Sarah Bonthuis. Ever since Smorenburg competed in U10, she was selected for the first team in her age category. Smorenburg became champion in the 'subtopklasse' with her U14-1 team, and champion in the 'topklasse' with her U16-1 team. When she was 15, Smorenburg made her debut in the first ladies team (which featured athletes 18 years old and when), scoring twice resulting in a 2-2 final score. Strong in the classroom, Smorenburg followed an extra program about rhetoric given by 'Stichting Landmerk' when she was in 10th grade. The following year, she participated in a pre-university class about psychology offered by the University of Leiden. In addition, Smorenburg followed four years of TTO (bilingual education). She will also take the IB exam for the course 'English Language and Literature Higher Level' in May.
Why Lehigh? "Lehigh University gives me the opportunity to combine high-level academics with Division I field hockey. During my visit, I loved the atmosphere on campus and was impressed by the dedication of staff and students to achieve the best results. I am convinced that my time at Lehigh will massively contribute to my development as a person."
Coach Dallmeyer on Smorenburg: "Lotte is a skilled, feisty and driven attacker. She really impressed us with her maturity and eagerness to push herself out of her comfort zone. She has a great understanding of the game and a strong skill set that will allow us to utilize her in a variety of positions. We have benefited greatly from diversifying our team and bringing in athletes with unique playing backgrounds. She will add a new element to our talented attack line."
Bailee Sunderland • M/D • Virginia Beach, Va. • Bishop Sullivan Catholic • Saints FHC
A four-year varsity starter at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, Sunderland was also a two-time captain. She was awarded Offensive MVP her senior year, also being named first team VISAA All-State and garnering first team Academic All-America. Sunderland led her team to two VISAA State Playoff Appearances, placing eighth in 2018 and sixth in 2019. Along impressive outside of her high school team, she was named a National Futures Alternate. Sunderland was a five-time National Indoor Tournament and Junior Premier Outdoor League Champion in 2017. Sunderland finished fifth in the nation with Saints Hockey Rocks at the National Club Cup in 2016 and 2018. Impressive in the classroom, Sunderland has garnered first honors all four years. She's also a member of the National Honor Society (Vice President), National Math Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of the challenging atmosphere. At Lehigh, I will be pushed in both academics and athletics to become the best student and athlete."
Coach Dallmeyer on Sunderland: "Bailee is an extremely versatile player. We have seen her have a strong impact both on the defensive line and in the midfield during her hockey career. She is very good at maintaining possession of the ball in small spaces, as well as finding quick releases when they become available. She has played a significant role on her high school team, which has allowed her to become a strong influencer of the play. She is a very strong addition to this class and we anticipate her being influential to our program in many ways."
"This class is a really well-balanced class positionally; they will be able to help us strengthen our depth in all positions on the field," said Lehigh head coach Caitlin Dallmeyer. "They all come from strong high schools and club teams, bringing a high level of talent into the program. As coaches, we were very deliberate in identifying and recruiting them to Lehigh. Each one of them models our program values in their past experiences, which is a testament to the way they have carried themselves and developed leadership-wise within their high school and club teams. They will fit our culture well, which is a very important piece for us; we have worked hard to create something special and we won't bring someone in unless we know they can help us further develop.
"We are eager to see what the impact of this class will be on the program and what positive contributions they will be known for as they move throughout their careers."
Abbie Brown • M/F • Mickleton, N.J. • Kingsway • WC Eagles
Brown was a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Kingsway with 62 career goals and 52 assists. Brown was named on the Max Field Hockey Watch List for the Class of 2020 (top 150), and named to the All-Region team. She was selected as All-Conference (4x), All-Area (2x), All-South Jersey (1x), All-Group 4 (2x) and All-State (1x). While at Kingsway, Brown helped her team to two conference championships and the first national ranking in program history at the end of the season (No. 22). Also involved in USA Field Hockey, Brown was selected for the National Futures Championship three times and the AAU Junior Olympics. She also played club field hockey for the WC Eagles. Outside of field hockey, Brown was a member of her high school's S.T.E.M. Academy and was a Student Ambassador. She was inducted into both the National Honors Society and the World Language National Honors Society.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh University because of the rigorous academics, beautiful campus, and the culture of the team. I know I will be able to challenge myself both athletically and academically at Lehigh."
Coach Dallmeyer on Brown: "Abbie is a workhorse; when we started watching her, we recruited her for that reason. However, as time has gone on, she has developed her vision and hockey IQ to a point that allows us to envision her in so many different roles next year. She brings an energetic personality and we are excited to begin molding her leadership abilities into a strong force within our team."
Jenny Canoni • GK • Bronxville, N.Y. • Hackley School • AGH Field Hockey Club
Canoni was a four-year varsity starter and senior co-captain at Hackley School. She was a two-time team MVP and four-time first team All-League honoree. Canoni was named second team All-County. Placing second at the 2018 AAU Junior Olympics, she was a five-time National Indoor Tournament participation and two-time National Club Championship participant (garnering sixth place both years). Canoni played four years of varsity basketball while she was a four-year honor roll student in the classroom as well.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of the competitive academic and athletic environment, the beautiful campus and the seemingly infinite leadership opportunities. The drive and determination of both the players and the coaches really stood out to me and I wanted an opportunity to be a part of something that special."
Coach Dallmeyer on Canoni: "Jenny really impressed us with her personality, both on and off the field. She loves the game and you can see it radiate through her when she plays. She is vocal, aggressive and connects well with those around her often, which is the unifying factor. She adds great depth to our goalkeeping unit; we are excited to now have three goalkeepers to push and support each other behind the net. Jenny's personality will be a great addition to the backfield and one we know will fit in seamlessly with our team."
Julia Gatelein • M/F • Haddon Heights, N.J. • Bishop Eustace Prep • Uprise Field Hockey Club
Gatelein was a three-year varsity letterwinner for Bishop Eustace Prep, missing her senior year due to injury. Despite that, she was named a senior captain in 2019, helping her team win three conference championships, three sectional championships and a state title in her time. Gatelein has garnered a number of honors from Max Field Hockey, being named in the top 150 Class of 2020 in both 2018 and 2019. She was also named to the Top 40 Regional Watch List in 2018. Gatelein put up some impressive statistics, including a team-leading 31 goals and 20 assists for 82 points as a junior. That was good for 11th in the state. The year prior, she recorded 19 goals and 13 assists for 51 points. Among her honors, Gatelein was named first team All-Olympic Conference National Division, first team All-State Non-Public and first team All-South Jersey as a junior. She also garnered second team All-Region by Max Field Hockey. Also a standout for Uprise Field Hockey Club, Gatelein was a U14 Shooting Star Tournament Pool Champion (2016), U16 Region 6 Junior Premier Outdoor League Champion (2018), U16 Regional Club Champion (2018), U16 Bronze Medal National Club Championship (2018) and U19 National Indoor Tournament Pool Champion (2019).
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of its excellent academic reputation, its beautiful campus and location from my home, along with the amazing coaching staff that provided me with the opportunity to play Division I Patriot League field hockey."
Coach Dallmeyer on Gatelein: "Julia comes from the same high school that Drew (Pecora) and MJ (Schwab) did. We know what Eustace produces and it fits our program well. Julia has fantastic stick work in front of the net, as well as a relentless work rate in the circle which makes her a very dangerous attacking threat. She will be a great addition to our forward line or attacking midfielders. We feel so fortunate that we have amazing mentors on those lines, eager to take her under their wing, and assist in developing her so she can make a quick impact."
Maeve Hierholzer • D • Rumson, N.J. • Rumson-Fair Haven • Jersey Intensity
Hierholzer was a four-year varsity starter at Rumson-Far Haven, being named All-State as both a junior and senior. A senior captain, Hierholzer was also named All-Shore Conference her final two years, helping Rumson-Fair Haven to section state championships both those seasons. Also a decorated athlete for the Jersey Intensity club team, Hierholzer was a six-time National Indoor Tournament participant, and was a Junior Premier Outdoor League Champion in 2019. She won a Group Club Disney Showcase championship, while her National Club Championship U16 team placed ninth in 2018. Hierholzer was also a four-year Futures participant. Also strong in the classroom, Hierholzer was named a Scholar-Athlete all four years.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because it is both a perfect academic fit, and Coach Dallmeyer and her staff have given me an opportunity to do what I love most of all – play field hockey. During my first visit, I instantly fell in love with the campus, the positive team vibe and the coaching staff. It was obvious that the team is on an upward trajectory and I need to be a part of it. I felt right at home when I stepped onto the campus at my first field hockey clinic, where I met my future teammates. Lastly, Lehigh University offers challenging, exceptional academics with small class sizes making it possible for me to get close with teachers and my classmates."
Coach Dallmeyer on Hierholzer: "Maeve was a fabulous addition to this class. One of her past coaches had tipped us off about her and we are so grateful she did. Maeve is exactly the style of defender we like – strong and simple. She plays the safe and smart ball as opposed to trying to force out of the backfield. She has great vision that allows her to distribute well and advance the ball in a way that sets up her teammates for success. We are excited to see what she will add to our defensive line."
Emily Mars • M • Stroudsburg, Pa. • Stroudsburg • Mystic Field Hockey
Mars comes to Lehigh from a short ride north of Bethlehem, following a decorated career at Stroudsburg High School. Mary was a three-year varsity letterwinner and starter, serving as team captain as a senior. She won the 2019 Utility Player Award and was an Athlete of the Week nominee by The Morning Call. Also strong in the classroom, Mary was a two-year NFHCA All-Academic Squad honoree. A member of the National Honor Society, she stands in the top 10 percent of her class, has served as class secretary and was a national qualifier in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of the perfect balance between prestigious academics and competitive field hockey. From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like the perfect fit."
Coach Dallmeyer on Mars: "Emily has been a solid player on great teams throughout her development. We first discovered her at a clinic in her home area and she continued to catch our attention at different events. She is a very well-rounded player and fits well into a system. We love her ability to support the play and take calculated risks, which is something we focus on in our style of play."
Lotte Smorenburg • F • Rotterdam, The Netherlands • Wolfert van Borselen, Bilingual • H.V. Berkel en Rodenrijs Girls U18-1
Smorenburg will become the third Mountain Hawk on the roster from The Netherlands, joining Lenke Havas and Sarah Bonthuis. Ever since Smorenburg competed in U10, she was selected for the first team in her age category. Smorenburg became champion in the 'subtopklasse' with her U14-1 team, and champion in the 'topklasse' with her U16-1 team. When she was 15, Smorenburg made her debut in the first ladies team (which featured athletes 18 years old and when), scoring twice resulting in a 2-2 final score. Strong in the classroom, Smorenburg followed an extra program about rhetoric given by 'Stichting Landmerk' when she was in 10th grade. The following year, she participated in a pre-university class about psychology offered by the University of Leiden. In addition, Smorenburg followed four years of TTO (bilingual education). She will also take the IB exam for the course 'English Language and Literature Higher Level' in May.
Why Lehigh? "Lehigh University gives me the opportunity to combine high-level academics with Division I field hockey. During my visit, I loved the atmosphere on campus and was impressed by the dedication of staff and students to achieve the best results. I am convinced that my time at Lehigh will massively contribute to my development as a person."
Coach Dallmeyer on Smorenburg: "Lotte is a skilled, feisty and driven attacker. She really impressed us with her maturity and eagerness to push herself out of her comfort zone. She has a great understanding of the game and a strong skill set that will allow us to utilize her in a variety of positions. We have benefited greatly from diversifying our team and bringing in athletes with unique playing backgrounds. She will add a new element to our talented attack line."
Bailee Sunderland • M/D • Virginia Beach, Va. • Bishop Sullivan Catholic • Saints FHC
A four-year varsity starter at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, Sunderland was also a two-time captain. She was awarded Offensive MVP her senior year, also being named first team VISAA All-State and garnering first team Academic All-America. Sunderland led her team to two VISAA State Playoff Appearances, placing eighth in 2018 and sixth in 2019. Along impressive outside of her high school team, she was named a National Futures Alternate. Sunderland was a five-time National Indoor Tournament and Junior Premier Outdoor League Champion in 2017. Sunderland finished fifth in the nation with Saints Hockey Rocks at the National Club Cup in 2016 and 2018. Impressive in the classroom, Sunderland has garnered first honors all four years. She's also a member of the National Honor Society (Vice President), National Math Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society.
Why Lehigh? "I chose Lehigh because of the challenging atmosphere. At Lehigh, I will be pushed in both academics and athletics to become the best student and athlete."
Coach Dallmeyer on Sunderland: "Bailee is an extremely versatile player. We have seen her have a strong impact both on the defensive line and in the midfield during her hockey career. She is very good at maintaining possession of the ball in small spaces, as well as finding quick releases when they become available. She has played a significant role on her high school team, which has allowed her to become a strong influencer of the play. She is a very strong addition to this class and we anticipate her being influential to our program in many ways."
| Name | Pos. | Hometown/High School | Club |
| Abbie Brown | M/F | Mickleton, N.J./Kingsway | WC Eagles |
| Jenny Canoni | GK | Bronxville, N.Y./Hackley School | AGH Field Hockey Club |
| Julia Gatelein | M/F | Haddon Heights, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep | Uprise Field Hockey |
| Maeve Hierholzer | D | Rumson, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven | Jersey Intensity |
| Emily Mars | M | Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg | Mystic Field Hockey |
| Lotte Smorenburg | F | Rotterdam, The Netherlands/Wolfert van Borselen, Bilingual | H.V. Berkel en Rodenrijs Girls U18-1 |
| Bailee Sunderland | M/D | Virginia Beach, Va./Bishop Sullivan Catholic | Saints FHC |
Players Mentioned
M
/ Field Hockey
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