EASTON, Pa. – Head coach Jennifer Stone of the Lafayette field hockey team announced the addition of eight incoming student-athletes to the class of 2027 on Tuesday afternoon. The newest members of the Leopards' roster hail from four different states as well as England, Canada and Germany.

"We are very excited to welcome eight new teammates to College Hill. With a wide breadth of hockey backgrounds, they bring talent, school and club championships, and international experience playing for their countries," Stone said. "Most importantly, they bring strength in their character and a commitment to excellence in joining our program and culture. We're looking forward to having them add to the Lafayette community and are excited to see the impacts they will have across the College. Welcome home!"

Ines Araujo | Riverside, Conn./Sacred Heart Greenwich
A three-sport athlete (field hockey, diving and ice hockey)... FAA Champions in 2021... NEPSAC Champions in 2019... selected to the All-NEPSAC Second Team in 2021 and 2022... 2022 FAA All-League First Team... 2021 FAA All-League Second Team... has club experience with AGH under Alex Gheorghe in Greenwich, Conn. where the team placed second in the 2021 U16 NCCs and the 2019 U14 NCCs... loves to cook and travel with her family.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "I chose Lafayette not only because of the balance between rigorous academics and competitive athletics, but also because of the warm and welcoming environment."

Maddie Evans | Severna Park, Md./Severna Park
A four-year starter in the midfield... named a Maryland 4A State champion, Region champion and Anne Arundel County champion in 2021... was a Regional champion in 2022... named a 2021-22 Regional Player to Watch... 2022 Coaches First All-Team All-County... has club experience with Freedom HKY in Edgewater, Md., where she was a 2021 Shooting Star Thanksgiving Champion, a 2021 JPOL Champion and a 2021 JPOL Top Scorer... selected for the championship games during Nexus 2022... likes to fish, wakeboard, surf and ski.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "I chose Lafayette for both the great academics and field hockey program. It felt like a second home when I stepped on campus."

Naomi George | Surrey, England/St. John's School
A two-sport athlete (field hockey and triathlon)... county championship and region championship winner for field hockey... school champion and record holder for triathlon... named 2021 Player of the Tour for the South African Tour... earned National Independent Schools U19 Champions in 2023... a Lower School Sporting Excellence winner... has experience with the Surbiton Hockey Club where she was a U19 NCC champion in 2022 and 2023... a member of the elite regional squad for the Guildford City Swimming Club from 2018-2020.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "It was always my dream to join a Division I Field Hockey program from the UK and Lafayette's campus, hockey program and coaches were everything I was looking for."

Katie Gibb | Vancouver, B.C./Point Grey Secondary
A two-sport athlete (field hockey and ice hockey)... named Athlete of the Year 2018-2022... has experience on the U18 Team Canada roster under coach Krista Thompson... has experience on the U21 Team Canada Travel Team under coach Jen Beagan... likes to bake with her mother.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "I chose Lafayette because of the competitive athletic and academic programs. Also, all of the girls are super supportive and encouraging!"

Lea Good | Chatham, N.J./ Oak Knoll
A four-year starter for both field hockey and ice hockey... has an overall record of 80-10 and earned four county championships, 3 conference championships and three state championships... a First Team All-County, Conference and Nonpublic selection from 2019-2022... has club experience with New Heights and USAFH's Nexus selection (U14, U16 and U19)... selected to the U16 Junior Olympics in 2019... likes to visit the Jersey shore in the summer.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "I chose Lafayette because right away I fell in the love with campus. The close-knit community really made me realize that this is the place for me."

Emma Maher | Wayne, Pa./Villa Maria
A two-year starter on the forward line... District I 2A Champions in 2020 and 2022... earned All-AACA Second-Team in 2022 and NFHCA Honor Roll in 2021... has sailed boats since she was six years old.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "I chose Lafayette for its strong academics, competitive field hockey program and the tight-knit community on campus."

Stella Malinowski | Vancouver, B.C./Little Flower Academy
A four-sport athlete (soccer, volleyball, basketball and field hockey)... a member of the U18 Canadian squad... earned a silver medal at Provincials... was a competitive dancer for eight years... loves to read and journal.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "I chose Lafayette because it offered me the chance to continue playing field hockey competitively, while still being able to help me reach my academic goals."

Lena Thedrian | Hamburg, Germany/Rudolf Steiner Schule Hamburg-Wandsbek
Has club experience with UHC Hamburg... was a 2019 Vice German Champion with the Hamburg State Selection Team at the German Championship with the U18 Team... placed third at the 2021 North German Championship and fourth at the German Championship.

Why did you choose Lafayette?  "After the first talk with Coach Stone, I already had a good feeling. I liked what she told me about the team values and the school. I also fell in love with Lafayette's campus and I'm super excited to join this program in the fall."

 
For the latest on the Lafayette College field hockey program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteFH and Instagram @lafayette_fh.