Nov. 18, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt lacrosse program recently received seven commitments from high school players for the 2010 season. The new team members will join a club losing five seniors to graduation in the spring of 2009.
Casey Bakker (midfield), Paige Cahill (defense), Sarah Dolan (defense), Olivia Goodman (midfield), Carly Linthicum (attack), Katie Parsels (midfield) and Chelsea Passfield (goalkeeper) will join Head Coach Cathy Swezey’s squad as freshmen during the fall 2009 semester.
“We are very excited about the class of 2013,” Swezey said. “We are immensely pleased with their athletic ability and feel that they will make a notable contribution early in their careers”
Coach Swezey’s 2009 Signees:
Casey Bakker (Ridgewood, N.J.): First-Team All-League Stars Division; First-Team All-Bergen County; an Academic All-American; High School MVP; Second-Team All-Galaxy Tri-State.
“Bakker is the ultimate competitor,” Swezey remarked. “She is fierce, tenacious and fast. During the recruiting process, we were most impressed with her ability to come through when her team needed her most.”
Paige Cahill (Nashville, Tenn.): Named to the Southeast National Team Selection in 2006, ’07 and ’08; Named First-Team All-State, All-American and team MVP in 2008; Second-Team All-State in 2007; Member of State Championship team in 2006 and 2008, and the 2007 State Runner-up club.
“Paige Cahill is a very smart defender who consistently positions herself well on her opponent,” Swezey noted. “Her leadership skills, physical presence and determination are second to none.”
Sarah Dolan (Nashville, Tenn.): Named team captain, All-Region and Most Valuable Defense in 2008, First-Team All-State in 2007; Member of the 2008 and 2006 State Champion team, and the 2007 State Runner-up squad.
“Dolan is an aggressive, quick and athletic defender who will be sure to bring more recruiters to Middle Tennessee,” said Swezey. “Her ability to stop an opposing attacker is outstanding.”
Olivia Goodman (Villanova, Pa.): Co-Captain on 2009 High School team; All-Main Line First Team, All-Inter-Ac Honorable Mention, Agnes Irwin Tri-Varsity Award, Coaches Award for Excellence in 2007 and ’08; Leading scorer on High School team past two years.
“Goodman is a fast midfielder who can do it all,” Swezey commented. “She has strong stick skills, is aggressive on the draw, and is a great goal scorer. She wants the ball when the game is on the line. “
Carly Linthicum (Salisbury, Md.): Received the Coach’s Award, and recognized as an “Inside Lacrosse” Top-20 Junior in 2008; Also a member of the Mid-Atlantic National Team No. 3 in 2008; Member of the Virginia State Champions (Independent Schools) and the Mid-Atlantic National Team No. 5 in 2006; Leading scorer on High School team three consecutive years.
“Linthicum has led her high school in scoring for three years,” Swezey added. “We look forward to the impact she will have on our offense with her phenomenal stick skills and strong attacking mindset.”
Katie Parsels (Warren, N.J.): Co-Captain of High school team in 2009; Honored by the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS) as The Pingry School’s Outstanding Female Athlete and the Courier News First-Team All-Area in 2008; Will graduate with four varsity letters in lacrosse.
“Parsels is an awesome athlete with outstanding quickness and great game sense,” stated Swezey. “Her ability to contribute on both ends of the field is tremendous. She is a very smooth player.”
Chelsea Passfield (Alexandria, Va.): Plays for the No. 1-ranked high school team in the country; Member of the Mid-Atlantic National Team No. 2; High School Academic All-American in 2008.
“Passfield plays for the No. 1, nationally ranked high school program, Saint Stephens Saint Agnes,” Swezey said. “We are excited about her quickness in and out of the goal and her ability to make the big save.”
