Batcheller, Bulldogs introduce eight-player Class of 2019

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head coach Jill Batcheller is pleased to announce the addition of eight student-athletes to the Bulldog women's lacrosse program for the 2016 season.

Every position is represented within the Class of 2019, with four midfielders, two defenders, one attack and one goalie ready to compete for the Black and Gold. Four hail from the Empire State, with two more coming from New Jersey and one from Indiana.

Featured within the group are a High School All-American, two state champions, two all-state selections and three Academic All-Americans, to name just a few of the accolades from an impressive rookie class.

"In just a few weeks of fall ball, these freshmen have shown tremendous talent and athleticism," said Batcheller. "Because of their work ethic, we were able to start up right where we left off in May. This class has given us depth in each position, which is an asset we look forward to utilizing come February."

Introducing the Bryant Lacrosse Class of 2019:

Emma Ahlrichs | M | 5-9 | Zionsville, Ind./Carmel
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of Carmel High School, Ahlrichs was a four-year varsity letterwinner for the Greyhounds … Led her team to state championships as a freshman and junior … Carmel finished second in state in 2013 and made the state semifinals in 2015 … 2015 High School All-American … 2014 High School All-America Honorable Mention … Three-time all-state first team selection … Also earned two varsity letters in cross country … Academic All-American selection … AP Scholar … Scholar-Athlete … National Honor Society member.

Lauren Britton | M | 5-6 | Monmouth Beach, N.J./Shore Regional
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of Shore Regional High School, Britton was a four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starter for the Blue Devils … Team won a South Jersey Group 1 sectional title while earning a Group 1 finals appearance and Shore Conference finals appearance in 2015 … Helped Shore Regional win a division title in 2012 … 2015 First Team All-Shore Conference selection … 2015 First Team All-Group 1 … Senior captain … 2015 Diane Chapman Outstanding Female Athlete Award winner … 2014 Second Team All-Shore pick … Also earned four varsity letters in soccer, where she helped her team to division titles in 2011, 2012 and 2014 and Central Jersey Group 1 Sectional titles in 2012, 2013 and 2014 … Two-time Academic All-American (2014, 2015) … 2015 President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence … Shore Scholar … National Honor Society member.

Jess DeMeo | M | 5-3 | Mount Sinai, N.Y./Mount Sinai
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of Mount Sinai High School, DeMeo was a three-year varsity letterwinner and starter for the Mustangs … Helped team to state titles in 2013 and 2015 … Mustangs won the division championship in 2014 … 2015 all-county selection … 2014 all-division selection and Unsung Hero Award … Principal's Honor Roll student.

Meredith James | A | 5-7 | Essex Fells, N.J./West Essex Regional
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of West Essex Regional High School, James was a four-year varsity starter for the Knights … Led team to a conference title in 2013 and county championship in 2014 … Two-time first team all-county and all-conference selection (2014, 2015) … Senior all-star game selection … Two-time Academic All-American selection (2014, 2015) … Also a three-year varsity letter letterwinner in field hockey, where she was a two-time all-county and all-conference pick (2014, 2015) … 2014 Academic All-American in field hockey … Participated in field hockey senior all-star game … Four-year honor roll student.

Jasmine Perkins | M | 5-5 | West Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of North Babylon High School, Perkins was a three-year varsity letterwinner … Led team to second round of playoffs in 2015 … All-division selection as a senior … Two-time captain … Named player of the week as a junior … Also ran track for North Babylon, where she was named all-county, all-league and all-division as a junior and senior … Ran at state championships and nationals … Four-year high honor roll student … National Honor Society member.

Amara Pulver | D | 5-9 | Manlius, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School, Pulver was a three-year varsity letterwinner and starter for the Hornets … Led the team to a league title in 2014 … CNYCL All-League Award winner … 2015 First Team Class A selection … 2015 David Volles Memorial Award winner for outstanding girl's lacrosse player … 2015 Team MVP Award winner … 2015 Exceptional Senior Lacrosse Game participant … Senior captain … Also earned three varsity letters in basketball … 2015 NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete … 2015 Fayetteville-Manlius Section III Scholar-Athlete … Marjorie Robinson Memorial Award … 2015 Scholastic Art and Writing Award … New York State Science Honor Society member … National Honor Society member … High honor roll student.

Erin Rode | D | 5-10 | Garden City, N.Y./Garden City Senior
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of Garden City Senior High School, Rode was a two-year varsity letterwinner for the Trojans … Also earned two varsity letters in soccer … Named to the President's List for academics.

Cassie Vnook | GK | 5-7 | Bayville, N.Y./Locust Valley
Before Bryant: A 2015 graduate of Locust Valley High School, Vnook was a four-year varsity letterwinner and two-year starter for the Falcons … Led team to playoffs in 2013 and 2014 … 2013 all-conference selection … 2014 all-county pick … Also a three-year varsity letterwinner in tennis … Foreign Language Honor Society member … National Honor Society member.