Field Hockey Adds Four for 2017 Season.
11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich.- Michigan State field hockey has announced that it will welcome four incoming freshmen to the roster for the 2017 season. Cara Bonshak (Allentown, Pa.), Meredith Ross (Paoli, Pa.), Lia Sinisi (Hackensack, NJ), and Sawyer Post (Oceanside, Calif.) have all signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at Michigan State next fall and join the Spartans.
"The staff would like to officially welcome Meredith, Cara, Sawyer and Lia and their families to the program," said head coach Helen Knull. "It is great to finally make their commitment official and getting ready to transition them into the team for the 2017 season. The class is well rounded academically and athletically and all four individuals bring a wealth of experience from their club and high school programs. They are a driven and competitive group who I expect to contribute to the program as soon as they arrive in East Lansing."
Four-year varsity letterwinner at Whitehall High School in Field Hockey, Soccer and Softball... 2015 All-State Honorable Mention... Three-time captain in field hockey in softball and two-time captain in soccer... 2014 Second Team All-EPC... 2014 and 2015 Honorable Mention All-Area... Four-time district qualifier in field hockey... Played club hockey for True North Field Hockey... Member of the National Honors Society and High Honor Roll... Plans to major in engineering.
Knull on Bonshak: "Cara is a phenomenal athlete who has balanced two sports in the same seasons throughout her high school career in field hockey and soccer. Cara is a work horse with a never-give-up mindset and I expect to see her make contributions in the midfield for the Spartans."
Bonshak on MSU: "I chose Michigan State University because of its high-level academic and athletic programs that are offered. The overall campus environment as well as the pride in the student body played an immense part in my decision to become a Spartan."
Meredith Ross
Paoli, Pa. / Conestoga High School
Four-year letterwinner in field hockey and three-year lettewinner in lacrosse... Named MVP and First Team All-Area in 2016... First-Team All-State selection her junior year... Two-time All-Mainline selection... Named team captain her senior year... Offensive MVP her sophomore and junior year... Second Team All-League has a freshman and First Team All-League selection as a sophomore and junior... Scored more than 125 goals in her four years at Conestoga... Played club field hockey for the WC Eagles, who were 2013 and 2015 National Club Champions.
Knull on Ross: "I am excited to add Meredith's nose for the goal to our forward line. She has had a fantastic senior season and we have watched her game grow and develop in the past 12 months with experiences that will set her up for her transition to college. I expect Meredith to add depth to our team attack, as she is a crafty forward with great power and reach."
Ross on MSU: I chose MSU because I loved the campus and I wanted a big school and a big sports school.
Lia Sinisi
Hackensack, NJ / West Essex High
Four-year letterwinner in field hockey and two-year letterwinner in basketball... 2015/16 Regional All-American... Two-time All-State selection... Chosen to play for the United States Junior Olympic Field Hockey Team in 2015... Three-time NJ Group 2 State Champion... Led the team in scoring for two seasons... Elected captain two times.
Knull on Sinisi: "Get ready for some speed! Lia is a very fast and dynamic forward who loves to attack and get the ball up field. I think that she has the ability to compliment and add to our current forward group."
Sinsi on MSU: "I chose MSU because right when I stepped on campus, I knew this is where I was meant to be. Coach Knull and her staff were very welcoming and I knew I wanted to play for her. The school offers me an opportunity to pursue my athletic career, while also being at a great academic institution."
Sawyer Post
Oceanside, Calif. / Vista High School
First Team All-League selection in 2014 and Second Team All-League selection in 2015... Earned the Scholar Athlete Award all four years... 2015 All-Academic Team... Named team captain her senior year... Two-time CIF Finalist... Played club field hockey for San Diego RUSH... Member of the California Scholarship Federation... Plans to major in criminal justice.
Knull on Post: "Sawyer is our newest addition from San Diego. We have had a number of Californians join the program and Sawyer had the opportunity to work with former Spartan Molly Cassidy, who opened the lines of communication with Michigan State. Sawyer has the potential to impact our attack on the forward or midfield line."
Post on MSU: "I selected MSU because I fell in love with the family environment of the team and coaching staff. I knew that I would be playing field hockey at a high level while receiving an amazing education in my field of study."
