Aug. 14, 2007

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College women's lacrosse team has signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2008 season, head coach Cecil Pilson announced Tuesday, Aug. 14. The five will enroll at Mercyhurst and join the women's lacrosse program this fall.

The group includes four student-athletes from N.Y. and one from Md. Composing the class is Ashley Dulaney (Finksburg, Md.), Kim Masterton (Penfield, N.Y.), Maria Rosettie, (Corning, N.Y.), Elizabeth Tice (East Rochester, N.Y.), and Maggie Yackel (Camillus, N.Y.).

The class has two U.S. Lacrosse High School All-Americans, including a two-time honoree in Masterton.

"We're very excited about this incoming class, which is one of the strongest recruiting classes we have ever had at Mercyhurst" said Pilson. "We graduated a small class in 2007, but this class will provide the much needed depth to our growing program.

"All of these student-athletes have the potential to make an immediate impact on the team next season," continued Pilson. "These recruits boast a great combination of athleticism, lacrosse skill, and academic potential. These future Lakers in combination with our current squad should help us climb even higher into the NCAA Division II ranks and help us to accomplish our long range goals."

Pilson on Dulaney: "Ashley is an attacker who has a great combination of power and finesse which will be a nice compliment to our large array of offensive talent on the Lakers squad. She has been very successful coming from a high school program that competes in one of the toughest girls lacrosse conferences in the country. She is smart attacker with excellent field vision and could prove to be major contributor to the Lakers lacrosse program this upcoming season."

The Book on Dulaney: A 5-foot-4 attacker, Dulaney started and played four varsity seasons at Mercy High School in Baltimore, Md., competing in the IAAM A Division. The 2007 team captain led the attack in goals, assists and points her senior year. While at Mercy she was awarded the Athletic Honor Award from 2003-2006. Dulaney also played club lacrosse for ROME.

Pilson on Masterson:"Kim has a great combination of field vision and presence on the field. She can consistently find the back of the net which could greatly influence our offence in the near future. She is a strong and aggressive midfielder who will probably transition very quickly into our system. Her speed, size, and athleticism will be looked at to make an immediate impact to the Lakers lacrosse program."

The Book on Masterson: A 5-9 midfielder, Masterson started and played three varsity seasons at Penfield High School (N.Y.). The U.S. Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American (2007, 2006), All-Greater Rochester First Team (2007), All-Monroe County First Team (2007, 2006, 2005), Monroe County Player of the Year (2007, 2006), and team captain (2007), led her team by posting a three-year total of 164 goals, 81 assists, totaling 245 points. As a sophomore, she tallied 62 points (36 goals, 26 assists) to help her team advance to the 2005 New York Class A, Section V semifinals. The following season she recorded 96 points (68 goals, 28 assists) to help her team become the Monroe County Class A champions and New York Class A, Section V finalist team. As a senior, she finished the season with 87 points (60 goals, 27 assists), leading her team to a Monroe County Class A championship, New York Class A, Section V title before closing out an impressive 19-2 campaign. In addition to her high school career, she was also a two-year member of the Western Region Empire State team. At the 2005 Empire State Games, her team won the gold medal and returned in 2006 to capture a silver medal. Masterton also played club lacrosse for the Lady Roc.

Pilson on Rosettie:"Maria will bring speed, outstanding field vision, and a goal scorer's presence to the Lakers midfield next season. She comes from a high school program that has a long history of success. She is the complete midfield package, a sniper on offense with solid footwork on defense. Maria will be looked at to make an immediate impact to the Lakers lacrosse program."

The Book on Rosettie:A 5-8 midfielder, Rosettie played four varsity seasons at Corning Painted Post East High School (N.Y.). She was named U.S. Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-America (2006), All-Section IV Southern Tier Athletic Conference First Team (2007, 2006), All-Section IV STAC Second Team (2005) and All-Steuben County First Team (2007, 2006, 2005). Rosettie assisted her team by posting a four-year total of 127 goals and 49 assists for 176 points. As a freshman, she was a starting defender and helped her team win the 2004 N.Y. Division II, Section IV championship and made an appearance in the Division II state finals, finishing with an impressive 17-1 record. The following season, she became a midfielder and tallied 54 points (38 goals, 16 assists) with her team posting a 16-2 mark, winning the N.Y. Class B, Section IV championship and making its second-straight state finals appearance. In her junior season, she finished the season with 65 points (48 goals, 17 assists) to help her team win the N.Y. Class B, Section IV championship and to an 18-1 record. As a senior, Rosettie totaled 57 points (41 goals, 17 assists), leading her squad to another N.Y. Class C, Section IV championship and an 18-2 record. In addition to her high school career, she was also a two-year member of the Western Region Empire State team (2006, 2005). At the 2005 Empire State Games her team won the gold medal and in 2006, it was awarded the silver medal. Rosettie also played club lacrosse for the Finger Lakes Force.

Pilson on Tice:"Liz is an excellent two-sport athlete that will probably make an immediate impact on both the Lakers' field hockey and lacrosse teams this season. Her speed, athleticism, skill, and work ethic will be a major asset to both programs in the future. We look forward to welcoming Tice to the Lacrosse team in the spring."

The Book on Tice: A 5-7 midfielder, Tice played on the high school varsity team as an eighth grader, starting a career in which she earned five varsity letters East Rochester High School (N.Y.). She was named All-Greater Rochester (2007), all-county first team (2007, 2006), all-county second team (2005, 2004) and served as a team captain in 2007. In eighth grade, she helped her team win the 2003 N.Y. Division II, Section V championship and reach the N.Y. Division II finals. As a senior, she helped her team win the N.Y. Class C, Section V title and tallied 58 goals and 13 assists for 71 points. In addition to her high school career, she was also a two-year member of the Western Region Empire State team. At the 2005 Empire State Games her team won the gold medal and was awarded the silver medal the following season. Tice also played club lacrosse for the Lady Roc. In addition to lacrosse, Tice will play on the field hockey team at Mercyhurst this fall.

Pilson on Yackel: "Maggie is a quick, aggressive, and athletic defender that will bring a new aspect to the Laker defense next season. She comes from the top high school program in the country that has a long history of success. Her defensive talents will be looked at to make an immediate impact to the Lakers defense next season."

The Book on Yackel: A 5-3 defender, Yackel played two varsity seasons at West Genesee High School (N.Y.). The two-time Section III, Onondaga League honorable mention selection played in every game the past two seasons and scored one goal. West Genesse was a N.Y. Class A, Section III finalist and posted a 20-1 record in 2006. With the team's defense leading the way, West Genesee won the 2007 Class A state championship while winning all 23 games on its slate.