@GWULacrosse Adds Six For 2016-2017 Season
April 15, 2016 | Women's Lacrosse
BOILING SPRINGS --- Gardner-Webb signed six players for the upcoming 2016-2017 season, including three goalies and a pair of high school teammates, announced head coach Jillian Krick Friday.
"I am excited to add another class to our growing program," said Krick. "We could not be happier to add six signees to the 2016 class."
Madeline Stephens is a three-sport athlete at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where she lettered in lacrosse, field hockey and swimming and diving. A native of Mount Vernon, Virginia, Stephens earned honorable mention recognition during the 2015 season in field hockey. The 5-foot-3 attack/midfielder also played club lacrosse for Supernova under head coach Jenny Tran.
Carrie Studdard joins the Runnin' Bulldogs from Apex High School in Apex, North Carolina, where the 5-foot-9 goalie has compiled a career goals against average of 8.4 to date. In three seasons on Apex's varsity team, Studdard has made 192 saves – including 100 this season – to go along with a goals against average of 8.3. Studdard also played club lacrosse for Red Devil under head coach Mike Bagnasco.
Melan White comes to Gardner-Webb from Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio where she earned All-District Second Team and Defensive MVP honors in 2014 after positing a save percentage of 0.57. The 5-foot-2 goalie also received honorable mention recognition in 2015. White also plays club lacrosse for FCA Cincinnati under head coach Pat Thatcher.
Janice Donaldson will join White – her high school teammate at Walnut Hills – at Gardner-Webb in the fall. The Cincinnati native received all-conference honors in 2015 in addition to a spot on the All-Star team at the All-American Tournament. Donaldson also played club lacrosse for FCA Cincinnati under head coach Pat Thatcher.
Ashley Fisch played at Smithtown West High School in Smithtown, New York, where she helped the Bulls to a 13-4 record last season. The 5-foot-6 midfielder served as team captain for her club team, the Suffolk County All-Stars, in 2015 under head coaches Ed Houlihan and Mike Niciforo.
Katie Sylvester comes to Gardner-Webb from Keller High School in Keller, Texas, where she earned all-district recognition as a sophomore before claiming a spot on the all-state team as a junior. The 5-foot-4 goalie has featured in the Hot 100 Showcase twice in addition to three US Lacrosse National Team Texas selections. Sylvester was named the IWLCA Western Cup's Top Goalie in 2014. She and Keller are currently undefeated in their district and are favored to win the state championship.
