Le Moyne Athletics : Eight commit to Le Moyne women's lacrosse for class of 2011

January 17, 2007

EIGHT COMMIT TO LE MOYNE WOMEN'S LACROSSE FOR CLASS OF 2011
Barzee, Crary, Elmer, Golembiewski, Lazarz, Lewis, Valletta and Walker sign NLI with Dolphins

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - High school seniors Nerissa Barzee (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville), Lauren Crary (Irondequoit, N.Y./Irondequoit), Rebekah Elmer (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genessee), Maureen Golembiewski (Solvay, N.Y./Bishop Ludden), Leah Lazarz (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool), Jennifer Lewis (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse-Minoa), Mia Valletta (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna) and Katlin Walker (Penn Yan, N.Y./Penn Yan Academy) have signed a National Letter of Intent to play women's lacrosse at Le Moyne College, according to head coach Lauren O'Connor.

Barzee, an aggressive midfielder/defender, was an OHSL all-league selection at Baldwinsville. The CNY Elite Lacrosse Club member who has been twice selected to the All-Galaxy Second Team has the ability to contribute on both ends of the field. She is a member of the National Honor Society and helped the Bees soccer team to the Section III finals.

"Nerissa is an aggressive midfield/defender who I expect to transition quickly into our program," O'Connor, the 2006 MAAC Coach of the Year said. "She comes from high school and club teams that have histories of success. She handles the ball well under pressure, can set up the play and find the net herself. Her speed and athleticism make her a great fit for our growing program."

Crary, a defender at Irondequoit, scored four goals and assisted on 16. A three-sport athlete who also competes in soccer and basketball, she is a member of the Lady Roc club lacrosse team.

"Lauren is a team player who thrives on keeping the ball out of her defensive end," O'Connor said. "She positions herself well one on one and communicates with great confidence. She is also very capable in transition and through the midfield. She has the ability to make an immediate impact on our team."

Elmer, the team Most Valuable Player for the fourth-ranked team in New York state last season, was named first team all-league and first team all-CNY by the Syracuse Post-Standard. Over the last two seasons, she has scored 43 goals and assisted on 29 for the Wildcats.

"Bekah is a natural athlete - a hard-working, versatile player. She has responded to her team's needs and played all over the field throughout the years," O'Connor said. "Bekah will bring great vision and game sense to Le Moyne next fall. I have no doubt that she will be a strong contributor and competitor on our team and in the MAAC."

Golembiewski, a defender from Bishop Ludden, was an all-league selection for the OHSL. A member of the Star-Riders Lacrosse Club, she earned the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Maureen brings a real intelligence to the game," O'Connor said. "She is a strong leader on defense who displays confidence in all situations. Maureen's discipline on defense shines in one-on-one play. As she grows on the Division I field, I expect Maureen to be a reliable force on defense and an important player in transition."

Lazarz, a midfielder at Liverpool, was an all-OHSL selection. A member of the Star-Riders Lacrosse Club, she also captained the Liverpool field hockey team.

"Leah has speed, skill, and the ability to finish on the attacking end," O'Connor said. "She is a fighter in the midfield and on the defensive end. Leah knows what it's like to compete against the top teams in New York State and her experience will benefit her at the Division I level. Her determination and competitiveness allows her to overcome many challenges on the field."

Lewis, who has been an all-league selection for three years, led her high school team to their first Sectional Championship during her sophomore year. As a junior, she led her league in goals scored and was selected to the all-CNY team by the Syracuse Post-Standard.

"Jen is a natural athlete with a great work ethic. She has an acute ability to read the opponent and gain an advantage," O'Connor said. "A four-year varsity starter, Jen knows how to handle the ball under pressure, run an offense with patience, and exploit the opponents' defense. I think Jen's potential is ahead of her. She is very coachable and I expect her to rise fast."

Valetta, a midfielder/defender, was selected to the All-County team in 2005 and 2006 and was a two-time member of the Adirondack Region Empire State Games team. She was also an All-Galaxy selection representing Metro Magic. As a defender, Valetta contributed 22 goals and seven assists last season.

"Mia has an unparalleled drive on the field," O'Connor said. "Her speed and skill make her very difficult to defend. I expect Mia to be a spark on both the defensive and attacking ends. Mia has led her high school lacrosse and field hockey teams to great heights. She has a quiet confidence and a fearless sense of determination. I welcome her ability to stand up to, compete against, and overcome the talented opponent."

Walker, a five-year varsity player, has helped Penn Yan to three state tournament appearances and one state championship. An Empire State Games silver medalist in 2006 and a gold medalist in 2005 with the Western team, she was also a first-team all-league selection. Walker is a member of the National Honor Society, the soccer team and the swim team. She plays her club lacrosse with Laxified.

"Katlin has displayed a tenacious style of play at every position on the field," O'Connor said. "On defense, she positions herself well and has great footwork. Her athleticism allows her to be a huge threat on offense and an integral player on transition. I expect Katlin to transition quickly into our midfield and contribute right away all over the field."

In 2006, Le Moyne (15-4) captured its third MAAC championship in 2006. The Dolphins were perfect in the conference regular season (7-0) and won their two games in the conference championship. Le Moyne opens the 2007 season on Feb. 25 at California-Berkley. The Dolphins will graduate three players from their 2007 roster.



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January 17, 2007 EIGHT COMMIT TO LE MOYNE WOMEN'S LACROSSE FOR CLASS OF 2011 Barzee, Crary, Elmer, Golembiewski, Lazarz, Lewis, Valletta and Walker sign NLI with Dolphins SYRACUSE, N.Y. - High school seniors Nerissa Barzee (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville), Lauren Crary (Irondequoit, N.Y./Irondequoit), Rebekah Elmer (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genessee), Maureen Golembiewski (Solvay, N.Y./Bishop Ludden), Leah Lazarz (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool), Jennifer Lewis (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse-Minoa), Mia Valletta (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna) and Katlin Walker (Penn Yan, N.Y./Penn Yan Academy) have signed a National Letter of Intent to play women's lacrosse at Le Moyne College, according to head coach Lauren O'Connor. Barzee, an aggressive midfielder/defender, was an OHSL all-league selection at Baldwinsville. The CNY Elite Lacrosse Club member who has been twice selected to the All-Galaxy Second Team has the ability to contribute on both ends of the field. She is a member of the National Honor Society and helped the Bees soccer team to the Section III finals. "Nerissa is an aggressive midfield/defender who I expect to transition quickly into our program," O'Connor, the 2006 MAAC Coach of the Year said. "She comes from high school and club teams that have histories of success. She handles the ball well under pressure, can set up the play and find the net herself. Her speed and athleticism make her a great fit for our growing program." Crary, a defender at Irondequoit, scored four goals and assisted on 16. A three-sport athlete who also competes in soccer and basketball, she is a member of the Lady Roc club lacrosse team. "Lauren is a team player who thrives on keeping the ball out of her defensive end," O'Connor said. "She positions herself well one on one and communicates with great confidence. She is also very capable in transition and through the midfield. She has the ability to make an immediate impact on our team." Elmer, the team Most Valuable Player for the fourth-ranked team in New York state last season, was named first team all-league and first team all-CNY by the Syracuse Post-Standard. Over the last two seasons, she has scored 43 goals and assisted on 29 for the Wildcats. "Bekah is a natural athlete - a hard-working, versatile player. She has responded to her team's needs and played all over the field throughout the years," O'Connor said. "Bekah will bring great vision and game sense to Le Moyne next fall. I have no doubt that she will be a strong contributor and competitor on our team and in the MAAC." Golembiewski, a defender from Bishop Ludden, was an all-league selection for the OHSL. A member of the Star-Riders Lacrosse Club, she earned the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award and is a member of the National Honor Society. "Maureen brings a real intelligence to the game," O'Connor said. "She is a strong leader on defense who displays confidence in all situations. Maureen's discipline on defense shines in one-on-one play. As she grows on the Division I field, I expect Maureen to be a reliable force on defense and an important player in transition." Lazarz, a midfielder at Liverpool, was an all-OHSL selection. A member of the Star-Riders Lacrosse Club, she also captained the Liverpool field hockey team. "Leah has speed, skill, and the ability to finish on the attacking end," O'Connor said. "She is a fighter in the midfield and on the defensive end. Leah knows what it's like to compete against the top teams in New York State and her experience will benefit her at the Division I level. Her determination and competitiveness allows her to overcome many challenges on the field." Lewis, who has been an all-league selection for three years, led her high school team to their first Sectional Championship during her sophomore year. As a junior, she led her league in goals scored and was selected to the all-CNY team by the Syracuse Post-Standard. "Jen is a natural athlete with a great work ethic. She has an acute ability to read the opponent and gain an advantage," O'Connor said. "A four-year varsity starter, Jen knows how to handle the ball under pressure, run an offense with patience, and exploit the opponents' defense. I think Jen's potential is ahead of her. She is very coachable and I expect her to rise fast." Valetta, a midfielder/defender, was selected to the All-County team in 2005 and 2006 and was a two-time member of the Adirondack Region Empire State Games team. She was also an All-Galaxy selection representing Metro Magic. As a defender, Valetta contributed 22 goals and seven assists last season. "Mia has an unparalleled drive on the field," O'Connor said. "Her speed and skill make her very difficult to defend. I expect Mia to be a spark on both the defensive and attacking ends. Mia has led her high school lacrosse and field hockey teams to great heights. She has a quiet confidence and a fearless sense of determination. I welcome her ability to stand up to, compete against, and overcome the talented opponent." Walker, a five-year varsity player, has helped Penn Yan to three state tournament appearances and one state championship. An Empire State Games silver medalist in 2006 and a gold medalist in 2005 with the Western team, she was also a first-team all-league selection. Walker is a member of the National Honor Society, the soccer team and the swim team. She plays her club lacrosse with Laxified. "Katlin has displayed a tenacious style of play at every position on the field," O'Connor said. "On defense, she positions herself well and has great footwork. Her athleticism allows her to be a huge threat on offense and an integral player on transition. I expect Katlin to transition quickly into our midfield and contribute right away all over the field." In 2006, Le Moyne (15-4) captured its third MAAC championship in 2006. The Dolphins were perfect in the conference regular season (7-0) and won their two games in the conference championship. Le Moyne opens the 2007 season on Feb. 25 at California-Berkley. The Dolphins will graduate three players from their 2007 roster.