July 22, 2009

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist women's lacrosse head coach Laura Campbell announced the addition of eight student athletes to her program for the upcoming school year. Seven will join the program as true freshmen, while one will join the Red Foxes as a junior transfer from Davidson.

Erin Betsch - Junior - Defense - Port Washington, N.Y.

Betsch joins the Red Foxes as a transfer from Davidson College where she played two years of women's lacrosse for the Wildcats. Last season she started all 16 games and totaled 21 ground balls and 19 draw controls, good for third on the team in each category. During her high school career she was named all-conference in 2005 and 2007, and was her team's unsung hero in 2006. She was a member of the National Honor Society, National Foreign Language Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Art Honor Society. She played five years of varsity soccer and two years of varsity basketball. Additionally, she played club lacrosse for the Long Island Liberty.

Campbell on Betsch: "I am glad that I no longer have to see Erin in another uniform. We faced her last year when she was with Davidson, and she showed me firsthand what a game changer she can be on defense. She is a real presence on the defensive end. Erin can clear the ball with her vision to pass or with her speed. She is going to be a great addition to our defense."

Ashley Casiano - Freshman - Goalkeeper - South Windsor, Conn.

Casiano was an all-conference selection in her senior season as she was a four-year letter winner in both lacrosse and basketball at South Windsor High School. After her junior season in lacrosse, she was selected to try out for the Lower New England team, where she made the first team. Casiano was a co-captain of her basketball team last season.

Campbell on Casiano: "Cash is a true competitor who demands the highest level of play from herself. Her attitude and drive are contagious. Her skills in between the pipes and her ability to be aggressive and leave the crease will provide an immediate spark on the defensive end. Her style of play will be the perfect complement to Alyssa Littin and together they should be an impressive tandem of keepers."

Irvine, an Academic All-American, earned all-division honors her senior year in addition to the team's Defense Award. She was also named a U.S. Army Reserve Scholar Athlete award. She was a three-year member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She received the President's Award for Educational Excellence. She played three years of varsity soccer, ran two years of winter track and was a four-year member of the wind ensemble. Irvine also played club lacrosse with the Long Island Yellow Jackets.

Campbell on Irvine: "Jess is a fantastic midfielder. She has speed, smarts, and great stick skills. She is a very clean player and great decision maker. She can read the other team very well and adjust her defense accordingly. She will give other teams fits on defense and in the midfield."

Laura Lucchessi - Freshman - Defense - West Genesee, N.Y.

Lucchessi was named first team All-League and second team All-Central New York as a senior. Additionally, she was named the team's top defender at West Genesee High School. As a junior, she earned honorable mention all-league honors.

Campbell on Lucchessi: "Laura is a scrappy player with great speed. She has a lot of experience winning at West Genesee, and has often been recognized as the unsung hero of that success. She has received multiple accolades as a defender on the team, conference, and state level. Laura can shut people down with her midfield ride or in a settled defense."

Ashley Miller - Freshman - Attack - Montville, N.J.

A team captain and MVP in 2009, Miller scored 160 goals for her career, and was ranked in the top 20 in Morris County as a senior. She was named first team all-conference in 2009 and second team in 2008 and 2007. Additionally, Miller was named second team All-Daily Record in 2009 and named to the squad's third team after the 2008 season. In addition to her scholastic play, she also played club lacrosse with the Tristate Club Lacrosse Team.

Campbell on Miller: "Miller was a prolific scoring threat in high school, where she amassed over 150 tallies, and that talent will only carry over to and grow during her career with the Red Foxes. She arrives with a relentless hustle, elusive speed, and the ability to finish. I anticipate that she will make an immediate impact."

Amanda Tuck - Freshman - Midfield - Mamaroneck, N.Y.

A 100 goal scorer in her career, Tuck joins the Red Foxes as a two-time all-league selection and an all-section choice as a senior. She also played three seasons of varsity soccer where she garnered three all-league honors and two all-section awards. Tuck was the recipient of the Joseph T. Downey award as the most outstanding female athlete in her graduating class.

Campbell on Tuck: "Her height and speed will give us a new look this year to complement the quick and wiry [Ashley] Miller. Tuck has grown as a player every year, and has exceptional work ethic and her ability to be coached. She is a true team player and that will fit in well with our team first philosophy of play."

Arielle Urban - Freshman - Midfield - Hillsborough, N.J.

Urban, a New Jersey all-star who was selected to play in the senior all-star game, joins the Marist women's lacrosse team after she ranked in the top 25 in New Jersey in scoring as a senior. She led her team in draw controls, goals and ranked second in ground balls as a senior, which led her to First Team All-Area and All-Conference selections in addition to Offensive MVP in 2009. Urban was a part of the 2008 co-conference championship team and helped her team to the Group IV finals last year. Additionally she played for the T3 club team which won the All-American showcase in 2008. A member of the Latin Honor Society, she is working to develop underclassmen at a summer lacrosse program.

Campbell on Urban: "Urban is a finisher. As her high school stats can show, she has a nose for goal and is tenacious when it comes to finding the back of the net. I am excited to see her continue this success at Marist."

Megan Walters - Freshman - Midfield - Garden City, N.Y.

Walters joins the Red Foxes as a four-time state champion in women's lacrosse and a three-time state championship in field hockey from Garden City High School. In field hockey she earned the exceptional senior award. She also played for the Long Island Elite Yellow Jackets Blue team who won the Lax for the Cure Tournament. Off the field she participated in the Students Helping Students Club at Garden City High School.

Campbell on Walters: "Megan has great midfield speed and tremendous field vision. She has the innate ability to see the play before it happens and because of that is a solid feeder. Additionally, she can create her own scoring opportunities in the attack and therefore is a double threat."

Marist completed the 2009 season with program records in wins, winning percentage and consecutive victories. The Red Foxes reached their third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship title game.