Spartan Field Hockey Announces 2004 Recruiting Class
2/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Feb. 5, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State field hockey head coach Michele Madison announced the signing of six field hockey players to the 2004 Spartan lineup on Thursday. The student-athletes set to join the Spartans include Mandy Yocom (Mountain Top, Pa./Twin Valley), Michelle Ciliberti (Prospect Ky./Sacred Heart), Jenny Goodman (Louisville, Ky./Ballard), Amy Schneider (Louisville,Ky./Mercy), Kathryn Elenz-Martin (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon) and Charlotte van der Laag (Hoofddorp, The Netherlands/Haarlemmermeer Lyceum).
"Their mix of talent, potential and work ethic blends well with the current team's pursuit of excellence," said Madison. "The incoming freshmen are very enthusiastic and have demonstrated a strong commitment to team goals in their high school careers. With the graduation of a solid senior class, including two All-Americans, we will rely on a strong core and fresh new talent to sustain the team's championship journey. Our nine returning starters and this freshmen class give us a unique balance of eager experience and youth."
Talented goalkeeper Mandy Yocom joins the Spartan goalkeeping contingent after starting four years for coach Dawn Lammey at Twin Valley High. She received All-Berks academic honors four years. Her goalkeeping skills resulted in an impressive record of 64-25-7 with 46 shutouts to her credit. Yocom has played for hockey club X-Calibur, where she is coached by Amy Ott (UMass) and Clarence Janelle.
Madison on Yocom: "At the end of last season Christina Kirkaldy let it be known that she wanted competition in the goal in 2004. We found Mandy and Mandy wants that role. Her coaches have prepared her for a Division I hockey career where she will bolster an already solid goalkeeping team at MSU. Her experience with Twin Valley, Futures and X-Calibur provides her with a foundation to be a great Division I goalkeeper."
Yocom's reaction to becoming a Spartan: "Michigan State University is everything I have ever wanted in a university. The College of Nursing is one of the top programs in the nation, the Spartan field hockey program is in the Top 5 in the country and the girls and coaches are great."
Michelle Ciliberti, a midfielder, is one of Kentucky's three elite players who will join the Spartans. She was coached by Lainey Habeeb (Louisville) at Sacred Heart and won the Kentucky State Championship in 2001 and finished as runners-up in 2003. Michelle competed in Junior Olympics and National Futures Tournaments. Ciliberti, a 2003 West Region All-American, is currently a Futures Elite player and will represent the USA with the U-19 Futures Elite Selection in The Netherlands this April. Academically, Ciliberti achieved Academic All-State Honorable Mention, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Madison on Ciliberti: "Make no mistake about it, Michelle is a relentless competitor. She will fortify the Spartans attacking style of play with her nose for the goal, inspired by an unrelenting determination to get the shot off. Our fun approach to the game coupled with Michelle's work ethic will catapult her game to the next level."
Ciliberti's reaction to becoming a Spartan: "Without a doubt, choosing Michigan State is a natural decision. It is a great fit for me - to pursue my academic ambitions and play at a nationally competitive level. The strength of the program, unity of the players, and the dedication of Coach Madison and her staff are three characteristics that truly defines Spartan field hockey. I am proud to be a new member of this team."
Defender Jenny Goodman was known for her big hits and confident ability to organize team defense in challenging situations at Ballard. Amy Marchell has been coaching and challenging at Ballard and Yasser Kahn has done so at the International Field Hockey Club of Kentucky (IFHCK). Goodman plays field hockey year round at Ballard, IFHCK and in the USFHA Futures program. Goodman has also competed in the Regional Futures Tournaments and received the team defensive Player of the Year honors and earned all-state honors as a senior at Ballard.
Madison on Goodman: "Jenny is an untapped talent. She is not afraid to use her big hit to get the ball into advantage space. Her communication is loud and direct. She competes with a contagious and fearless presence. We are all happy she will dress in green and white."
Goodman's reaction to becoming a Spartan: "I fell in love with the Spartan field hockey program because they have great coaches and an awesome team. I feel the academic opportunities presented to me as a student-athlete at Michigan were absolutely amazing. I love Michigan State and I cannot wait to start my college experience off with the Green and White. Go Spartans!"
Amy Schneider, both a defender and midfielder, adds depth to the mid and backfield for the Spartans in 2004. Her polished skills and sound tactical understanding provide her with the flexibility to play in the midfield and backfield lines. Schneider played for coach Kelly Sester at Mercy High and also plays with the IFHCK. Schneider earned all-state honorable mention honors and is a two-time state all-tournament team honoree. Additionally, she was selected to two all-tournament teams at the Apple Tournament.
Madison on Schneider: "Amy's desire to be the best fuels a passionate, intense and inspired work ethic. She comes from a big family with big dreams and a history of athletic successes. Amy is the kid still playing when everyone else has their cleats off. She has already made an impression on the team at the MSU summer camp and we know the best is yet to come."
Schneider's reaction to becoming a Spartan: "The campus and the spirit of the Spartan community made me choose Michigan State University. The staff and the students on campus are very open and reach out. The people at MSU are easy to talk to and they make you feel part of a big family. Another reason is because of their elite field hockey program that continues to grow. The coaching staff is willing to take on challenges to make the team and the program better and I want to be part of the challenges to come. Michigan State field hockey and the College of Nursing will help me grow as a team player and as an individual."
Kathryn Elenz-Martin looks forward to contribute the energy and passion fostered by high school coach Ellie Minor. Elenz-Martin, captain of the 2003 CIF League Champions La Costa Canyon, received the 2003 Team MVP Award and was selected All-San Diego CIF Player of the Year. She has been selected to represent United States on the 2004 U.S. National U-19 team.
Elenz-Martin's talents blossomed under the Rush Field Hockey program and the guidance of David Kibbee. Rush has had a positive impact for Kathryn and MSU's Jessica Miller, one of Elenz-Martin's former teammates at LCC and Rush.
Madison on Elenz-Martin: "'You got a good one,' was the reaction of Team USA head coach Beth Anders. Beth was not telling me anything I did not know. Kathryn is the whole package wrapped up in one. She loves to train, she loves to run, she loves to pass. She loves field hockey. Kathryn is a natural talent with an 'empty the bucket' work ethic and dedication to teamwork."
Elenz-Martin's reaction to becoming a Spartan: "I am very excited and honored to have this opportunity - the chance to get a good education and play field hockey for Michigan State is a dream come true. I love the coaches - Michele, Rolf and Daan - and all the players on the team."
Charlotte van der Laag makes her way across the Atlantic Ocean to join the Spartans from Hoofddorp in The Netherlands. Van der Laag is considered a top two-sport athlete and has been competing in field hockey and tennis since the age of five, winning championships in both sports.
Thanks to her superb level of play, van der Laag was invited by the Royal Netherlands Field Hockey Association to play at the Regional Training Center of the Noord-Holland district. In her second year, she was selected to play with some of the best U-16 and U-19 players in the country. At the age of 16, Van der Laag made the transition from playing with the best youth team (U19) of her club De Reigers, to train and compete with the senior level first women's team of her club. She became one of the youngest members on the squad.
Madison on van der Laag: "I look forward to Charlotte joining fellow country-women Annebet Beerman and Veerle Goudswaard. Since Sophie Rosmalen's arrival in 2000 our game continues to grow with the integration of Dutch players and coaches with their deep hockey traditions. Our athletes are interested in playing international hockey someday, and the experience to compete with international players is invaluable to their growth. We learn a lot from them and they learn a lot from us."
Van der Laag's reaction to becoming a Spartan: "I have always dreamt of studying in a foreign country. My club coach told me about the great opportunities to combine sports with study at an American university. Eventually, Michigan State became the place to make a dream come true. I believe the professional approach MSU has on academics and athletics will assist me in becoming a better student-athlete."
