FAIRFAX, Va. (December 4, 2008) – First-year head coach Lauren Rywak announced today the signing of six recruits to National Letters of Intent to enroll at George Mason University in the fall of 2009. The recruiting class is the first under the women's lacrosse team's new coaching staff of Rywak and assistant coaches Kelly Kasper and Megan Cassara.

Joining the team for the 2010 women's lacrosse season will be Caitlin Formato, a midfielder from Lancaster High School in Lancaster, N.Y.; Allie Hilderbrandt, a midfielder from Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, N.J.; Maggie Mauer, an attacker/midfielder from Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor, Pa.; Kaylee Mikolon, a defender/midfielder from Shore High School in West Long Branch, N.J.; Brittany Pastrana, a goalkeeper from Annapolis High School in Annapolis, Md.; and Danielle Woll, a defender from Lenape High School in Medford, N.J.

"It is exciting to welcome our first recruiting class as a new coaching staff," Rywak said. "All six players bring a unique quality to the program and we are anxious to add them to our roster next fall."

After being a starter at midfield since her freshman year, Formato was named a team captain at Lancaster High School prior to her junior year. She was named First-Team All-Western New York as well as a First-Team Sectional All-Star after scoring 60 goals and adding 34 assists during the 2008 season. For her career, Formato has totaled 94 goals and 70 assists at Lancaster High. Formato plays club lacrosse for the Lancaster Lady Monsters and Buffalo Wings.

"Caitlin's combination of speed and stick skills will contribute to her success in the midfield next year," Rywak said.

Hilderbrandt was an All-County selection during her sophomore and junior seasons at Hopewell Valley Central High School after helping lead the Bulldogs to regular season, county and state sectional championships during those two seasons. Hilderbrandt plays club lacrosse for Central Jersey Select and was named to the All-Tournament First Team at the 2008 Club Lacrosse National Championships.

"Allie's versatility to get strong shots off on cage as well as tough re-defending will make her a valuable threat against opposing teams," Rywak said.

Mauer has helped lead Archbishop Carroll to three consecutive Catholic League Championships and is striving to cap her high school career with a fourth this season. The dual-sport star also plays field hockey for Archbishop Carroll. She plays club lacrosse for Phantastix.

"Maggie handles pressure well and has a great work ethic in her transition game," Rywak said.

A tri-sport standout at Shore Regional High School, Mikolon helped the Blue Devils capture the Central Division and NJSIAA South Jersey Group 1 Championships in 2007 and 2008. Mikolon was named Second-Team All-Shore after helping the Blue Devils ascend to the No. 21 spot in the national rankings according to US Lacrosse in 2008. She plays club lacrosse for T3 Lacrosse.

"Kaylee's constant movement off ball and aggressive drives will be a great asset on our attacking end," Rywak said.

A team captain at Annapolis High School, Pastrana is the lone goalkeeper in the recruiting class, and a starter since her freshman year. She was named a 2008 Honorable Mention All-American and a Capital-Gazette All-Anne Arundel County First-Team selection. She also earned All-County honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons. Pastrana excels in the classroom as well and was named a 2008 Academic All-American for her efforts. She plays club lacrosse for SP Lax.

1 2    Next  »

2008-12-04