December 12, 2012

Lacrosse Signs Seven to NLI

Head coach Kelly Nangle has signed seven student-athletes to letters of intent.

Head lacrosse coach Kelly Nangle has signed seven student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent for the 2013-14 academic year. Erin Dougherty, Jessica Giangarra, Danielle Heedles, Alexandra Hooker, Lauren Lustgarten, Courtney McPartland and Kelsey Murphy will join the Central Connecticut lacrosse program next fall. All seven student-athletes will be members of the Class of 2017.

"We are extremely excited to announce the addition of these seven student-athletes into our Blue Devil lacrosse family," Nangle said upon the return of the student-athletes' letters of intent. "We faced an extremely difficult challenge in replacing our current senior class that is loaded with talent. This entire class comes from very well respected lacrosse programs on Long Island and New Jersey, they are driven and excited to be a part of what we have going on here. This is a very talented and athletic class that will make an impact right away. Along with our returners this group has the potential to make some noise in the NEC."

The Blue Devils finished the 2012 season with a 7-9 record and a 5-4 mark in Northeast Conference play. In her first year, Nangle led her squad to school records for NEC victories (5) and home victories (6). She also tied the program record for wins in a season (7). She was named NEC Coach of the Year following the season.

Here is a look at the CCSU lacrosse Class of 2017:

Danielle Heedles • 5-8 • Midfield • Smithtown, NY
Heedles plays high school lacrosse for coach Carrie Bodo at Smithtown West in her hometown of Smithtown, NY. She is a four-year letter winner at Smithtown West and was also honored as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete. She also plays lacrosse for the Long Island Yellow Jackets club team and coach Carol Rainson-Rose.

Heedles on CCSU: "Central Connecticut is somewhere I can see myself being successful athletically and academically. I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to play in the Northeast Conference so my family and friends are close enough to come and support."

Jessica Giangarra • 5-2 • Attack • Ronkonkoma, NY
Giangarra plays her high school lacrosse at Connetquot High School under coach Sal Piscatelli. While playing at Connetquot, she earned the Coach's Award and was an All-Division selection. She also plays for coach Carol Rose and the Long Island Yellow Jackets lacrosse club.

Giangarra on CCSU: "I visited many colleges before visiting CCSU. After touring CCSU I knew this college was the right fit for me. I loved the campus and I liked the direction Coach Nangle was taking the team. I look forward to being a part of the Blue Devil family and spending my college career at CCSU."

Erin Dougherty • 5-1 • Midfield • Port Jefferson Station, NY
Dougherty is a four-year varsity starter for Comsewogue High School and coach John Farmer. She was also an All-Division and All-Country selection for her high school's field hockey team. She plays club lacrosse for the Long Island Yellow Jackets and coach Tom Carro.

Dougherty on CCSU: "I went to a clinic here (CCSU) last spring and everyone just made me feel so welcomed and I knew that this was the type of environment I would love to be apart of for my college experience."

Kelsey Murphy • 5-3 • Midfield • Freehold, NJ
Murphy plays high school lacrosse for Freehold Township High School and coach Katie Bruno. A four-year starter, Murphy earned All-District honors following the 2011 and 2012 seasons. She plays club lacrosse for coach Sue Montegari and the Tristate All-Stars.

Murphy on CCSU: "What really sold me on CCSU is the how they treat their athletes. The athletic facilities, programs, and resources that are made available to the athletes that choose CCSU are so impressive. In addition, I believe the school has outstanding academic opportunities, such as the Honors Program that incoming students can apply for, and potentially get scholarship money from."

Courtney McPartland • 5-6 • Defense • North Massapequa, NY
McPartland plays high school lacrosse for Farmingdale High School and coaches Shari Campbell and Tracy Wiener. She has earned All-State, All-County and All-Conference honors while playing for Farmingdale. She was also named the "Player of the Game" following the Nassau Country Championship and earned NYS Scholar-Athlete honors. McPartland plays club lacrosse for John Ardolino's Long Island Yellow Jackets.

McPartland on CCSU: "I fell in love with the campus, the coaching staff and the team. The campus was beautiful and the coaches and girls on the team were very welcoming."

Lauren Lustgarten • 5-3 • Attack • Wading River, NY
Lustgarten plays high school lacrosse for Shoreham Wading River High School and coach Mary Bergmann. She earned All-Division and All-Conference honors while playing for Shoreham Wading River's field hockey squad. She plays club lacrosse for the LI Express and coach Erin Blaney.

Lustgarten on CCSU: "I loved the girls on the team and the coaches and it was the first school I was really able to see myself at."

Alexandra Hooker • 5-2 • Attack/Midfield • Wantagh, NY
Hooker plays high school lacrosse for Wantagh High School and coach Bobbi Colavita. She also plays club lacrosse for coach Michael Heedles and the Long Island Yellow Jackets.

Hooker on CCSU: "I attended the clinic in March and realized how welcoming the team was and I loved everything about the lacrosse program and the school."