Terriers Welcome Five Newcomers to 2016 Squad
October 22, 2015 | Women's Lacrosse
BOSTON - Head coach Liz Robertshaw and the Boston University women's lacrosse team are excited to announce five newcomers for the 2016 season. The Terriers add two attackers, two midfielders and a defender to their roster with the addition of Molly Kern, Catherine McAuley, Kelly Matthews, Kaitlin Belval and Tonianne Magnelli.
"I think this class represents the continued focus of the staff in bringing in high-caliber student-athletes who can help bring this team to the next level of play both in the Patriot League and in the national landscape," Robertshaw said. "While each player brings a different skillset to the team, this class has come in collectively with the mindset of 'I'm here to help the team win, let me know what you need me to do' and that's what you want to see and hear as a coach. I am excited to introduce these young women and to call them Boston University Lacrosse players.
Molly Kern | 5'7 | Attack | Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Kern comes to BU after playing four years on Saratoga Springs High School's varsity lacrosse team and ADK Lacrosse Club. As a sophomore, junior and senior the 5'7 attacker earned a spot on the New York State Section 2 All-Star Team. In her final two seasons, she led the team in scoring and as a senior, led the team in goals, points and assists.
Just as accomplished off the field, Kern was a member of the National Honors Society and earned a New York State Advanced Regents Diploma. She has also won three Equestrian World Championships and four National Championships.
Robertshaw on Kern: "Molly comes in as a tremendous addition to our crease attacking unit. She's got a sniper shot and great vision in reading her teammates on cuts and dodges to hit them with spot-on feeds which we feel will help add depth to a solid core of returning attackers."
Catherine McAuley | 5'2 | Attack | Hingham, Mass.
McAuley joins Kern on the Terrier attack after playing four years on the varsity lacrosse team at Notre Dame Academy and Mass Elite Lacrosse Club team. As a sophomore, she helped her high school team to a Massachusetts Division I State Championship. McAuley and her teammates also went to the Massachusetts DI South Sectional Finals in her junior and senior seasons.
In addition to her accomplishments on the lacrosse field, McAuley was equally as successful in the classroom and was named an Academic All-American as a senior. She was also in the National Honor Society and was the Notre Dame Academy Student Government Class President.
Robertshaw on McAuley: "Cat is a great combination of a polished lacrosse player and a scrappy, tough-as-nails athlete, all fit into a 5'2 frame. She impressed our staff immediately and is a great addition to the team."
Kelly Matthews | 5'8 | Midfielder | Reston, Va.
Matthews is the lone player coming from outside the Northeast this year, travelling to BU from Virginia where she spent four years as a member of the Bishop Ireton High School lacrosse team. Her team had incredible success during her tenure, winning the VISAA State Championship as a junior and senior. She was an All-WCAC First Team member as a sophomore, junior and senior, in addition to US Lacrosse All-American in her senior season.
A two year captain and two-time First Team All-Conference member of the field hockey team, the midfielder also excelled in the classroom and she was named a US Lacrosse Academic All-American as a junior and senior.
Robertshaw on Matthews: "Kelly's got a great, subtle presence to her game. Just when you're not sure where she is on the field she explodes for multiple draw controls, caused turnovers and emerges as a scoring threat. Kelly was a part of a program that built its way to championships during her time there and we're excited to see where her game will go during her time here at BU."
Kaitlin Belval | 5'5 | Midfielder | Needham, Mass.
Belval didn't have far to move when she joined the BU lacrosse team as she hails from near-by Needham, Mass. A three-year member of the Needham High School lacrosse team, she made her presence known the minute she stepped onto the field and was named Rookie of the Year during her sophomore season. She helped her team to two Bay State League Championships as a sophomore and senior and was a Bay State League and EMGLA First Team All-Star as a junior and senior.
The accolades continued to roll in as the midfielder was named to the Under Armour All-America New England Team as a junior and the ESPN All-State Pre-Season Team. She was named a Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team honoree as a junior and senior. Her talents also translated on the ice as she was a two-year captain of the Needham High hockey team and was the Bay State League Ice Hockey MVP as a junior and three-time All-BSL First Team honoree. In the fall, Belval helped her high school to two Bay State League Championships in soccer.
Robertshaw on Belval: "The first thing anyone sees who watches Katie play is her incredible speed. While that is one reason our staff was attracted to her, the bigger sell for us was her tenacious play throughout the course of a game. She simply never gives up on a play and that is exactly the mentality of a player we want wearing scarlet and white."
Tonianne Magnelli | 5'4 | Defender | Suffern, N.Y.
Rounding out this year's incoming class is Magnelli, who is the lone defender added to the team this season. A four-year member of the Suffern High School lacrosse team, she earned All-Section honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. Her team was State semi-finalists as a sophomore and junior before reaching the State Finals during her senior campaign.
Magnelli was also a four-year letter winner in gymnastics and was a four-time All-League and All-Section honoree.
Robertshaw on Magnelli: "The lone defender in the class, Toni has immediately jumped in and made both coaches and opponents take notice. She has great one-versus-one defensive presence and her athleticism has her very well prepared for life at the Division I level."
