Bryant field hockey signs six to NLIs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head field hockey coach Shaunessy Saucier is pleased to announce the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2011 season. The incoming class includes players at all three field positions, and the group will join the Bulldogs for their second season with full NCAA Division I eligibility.

The Bryant University field hockey Class of 2015:

Abigail Armstrong / Midfield / 5-0 / Mahopac, N.Y. (Mahopac)
High School: Four-year starting midfielder for the Indians… As senior captain, she led her team to a New York Section One Class A league championship… 2010 all-star selection… Three-time all-league and two-time all-section and all-state selection… Empire State Games gold medalist… Named the North County News Athlete of the Week… Mahopac Scholar-Athlete… Spent five years as a member of the U.S. Futures Program, where she was also a two-year National Futures Championship selection… Participated in the National Indoor Tournament… Also a three-year varsity letterwinner in track and a two-year varsity letterwinner in lacrosse at Mahopac… Member of the Student Athlete Council… High honor roll student… Participated in drama and German Club.

Personal: Abigail Carolyn Armstrong was born Dec. 11, 1993 in North Tarrytown, N.Y. … Daughter of Paul and Michelle Armstrong… Has one brother, Jacob. 

Emily Clark / Defense / 5-10 / Vienna, Va. (George C. Marshall)
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner and two-year starter for head coach Christina Carroll… Led her team to regionals during her senior year, the first time in three years for George C. Marshall… Finalist for the Vienna Optimist Youth Awards of Excellence's Excellence in Sports award… Second-team all-district selection as a senior… Named to the Herdon High School Invitational All-Tournament Team… Also lettered in soccer… Academic Letter recipient… Received the 2010 Principal's Award for the highest GPA in the field hockey program… National Honor Society member.

Personal: Emily Martin Clark was born Jan. 11, 1993 in Washington D.C. … Daughter of Michael and Ruth Ann Clark… Has two sisters, Katie and Addie.

Kelsey Hiltebeitel / Defense / 5-1 / Warminster, Pa. (William Tennent)

High School: A four-year varsity letterwinner for the Panthers… Named an all-conference first team selection as a sophomore, junior and senior… Continental Suburban One League Player of the Year as a senior… Also named The Intelligencer Player of the Year in 2010… Conference player of the week choice… All-star game pick… Recognized by The Intelligencer as one of the "Super 7 Players to Watch" in both field hockey and track… Captain… Member of the Athletic Club… Also a four-year member of the William Tennent track and field team… Earned academic first honors.

Personal: Kelsey Anne Hiltebeitel was born Aug. 20, 1992… Daughter of Heather and Brian Hiltebeitel… Has two sisters, Danielle and Savannah.

Mary Penniman / Forward / 5-3 / Leominster, Mass. (New Hampton School)

High School: A varsity starter for two years at St. Bernard's in Fitchburg, Mass., Penniman spent her junior and senior years at New Hampton School, where she was a two-year starting forward for head coach Rebekka Joslin… Two-time selection to the Lakes Region All-Star Team… Named MVP in her two seasons at St. Bernard's after leading the team in scoring as both a freshman and sophomore… Also a four-year letterwinner in lacrosse and a three-year letterwinner in ice hockey… Awarded the Presidential Service Award and New Hampton's Outstanding Service Award… Student body president… Member of the Sustainability Council.

Personal: Mary Catherine Penniman was born April 12, 1993… Daughter of Peter and Sandra Penniman… Has one brother, Peter, and one sister, Sara.

Corinne Woods / Forward / 5-0 / Beverly, Mass. (Beverly)
High School: Three-year starting forward and varsity letterwinner for head coach Tricia Brennan… Led her team to three Northeast Conference titles as well as a Division I North semifinalist appearance… Named the 2010 Northeast Conference MVP… Three-time conference all-star selection… Two-time Salem News Player of the Year (2009, 2010)… Best of 60 All-Star selection… 2010 Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team honoree… Tri-sport athlete who also earned four varsity letters in ice hockey and lacrosse at Beverly High School… Field hockey and lacrosse captain as a senior… National Honor Society member.

Personal: Corinne Elizabeth Woods was born July 16, 1993… Daughter of Jack and Betsy Woods… Has one brother, Michael, and one sister, Nicole.

Haley Young / Midfield / 5-7 / Northbridge, Mass. (Northbridge)
High School: Three-year starter and four-year varsity letterwinner at Northbridge High School… Led her team to a league championship in 2009… Team placed in the top-5 in the SWCL East all four seasons… Senior captain… Finished her career at Northbridge second all-time in scoring… SWCL All-Star selection as a sophomore and senior… Named to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette Super Team as a junior… Also a four-year varsity letterwinner and senior captain in softball while playing two seasons of JV basketball… Member of the student council and DECA… National Honor Society member.

Personal: Haley Rose Young was born March 31, 1993 in Worcester, Mass… Daughter of Gary and Lauri Young… Father, Gary, played golf at Bryant ('88) and was inducted into the Bryant Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.