Notre Dame, Ind. ... Notre Dame women's lacrosse coach Tracy Coyne, who begins her 12th season as the only coach of the Notre Dame women's lacrosse program, has announced the signing of six high school lacrosse players to national letters-of-intent. They will attend the University beginning in the fall of 2008.

Signing letters-of-intent in the early-signing period were Amy Bernier (Strafford, Pa.), Kelly Driscoll (Andover, Mass.), Flannery Nangle (Auburn, N.Y.), Jordy Shoemaker (Andover, Mass.), Megan Sullivan (Winchester, Mass.) and Maggie Tamasitis (Boyertown, Pa.). In making the announcement, Coyne said, "We are pleased to have such a talented group of athletes joining our program next year.

"They bring depth and talent to our defense and midfield, two areas that we are looking to improve. This group of players adds speed and athleticism to the lineup. They have excellent stick skills and a tremendous attitude and love of the game. They will continue to develop and should be ready to contribute when they get here next fall."

The six-player class consists of three Massachusetts natives, two from Pennsylvania and one from New York. Two have seen extensive time on the defensive side of the ball while the other four have seen duty at midfield or attack.

Amy Bernier is a two-sport athlete from Conestoga High School in Strafford, Pa. where she earned letters in both lacrosse and soccer. A 5-10 midfield/attack player she has been a member of the varsity girls' lacrosse team for three seasons during which time the Pioneers have won a pair of Pennsylvania State championships (2005, 2006). Conestoga finished second in the Central League and was 11-9 in 2007. Bernier played in the 2007 U.S. Women's Lacrosse national tournament last May as a member of the Upper Atlantic team. Along with incoming recruit, Maggie Tamasitis, she plays for the Phantastix '08 Elite club team.

Coyne on Bernier: "Amy has great overall speed and athleticism to go with very good stick skills. She has a great attitude about the game and we think she has tremendous potential. Amy will continue to develop her game on both sides of the ball at Notre Dame. We love her enthusiastic style of play."

Kelly Driscoll is one of three players to join the Irish from Massachusetts, joining current Andover High teammate is a teammate, Jordy Shoemaker, and Megan Sullivan. Driscoll is a 5-6 defensive player who has also lettered in soccer and basketball during her high school career at Andover. A tri-captain of the women's lacrosse team in 2008, she was a Merrimack Valley Conference All-Star in 2007 and was an honorable mention Eagle-Tribune all-star last season. A 2007 academic All-American in lacrosse, Driscoll is a member of the Mass.

Elite Club Team along with Shoemaker and Meg Sullivan. In her first three seasons at Andover, she has been a member of three Merrimack Valley Conference teams in lacrosse, three in basketball and two in soccer. Last May, she competed in the U.S. Women's Lacrosse national tournament for Lower New England Team 1.

Coyne on Driscoll: "Kelly has great defensive instincts, she has that ability to sense which way the play is going. She's tough, tenacious with good stick skills. Kelly has a strong overall understanding of the game. She's a talented, all-around athlete with excellent leadership ability. One of her best attributes is her attitude. Her mental toughness will have an immediate impact on the defensive unit."

Flannery Nangle will join the Irish following her final season at Auburn High School in Auburn, N.Y. A 5-5 midfield/attack standout, Nangle has a nose for the net as she has already scored 161 goals with 58 assists for 219 points in her first three seasons. A two-sport standout, Nangle has started all four years in both soccer and lacrosse. In 2007, she was the top scorer in Class AA (64g, 30a, 94pt) and fourth in assists. Auburn High School's team captain, she was selected team MVP while being named first team all-Central NY and first team Onondaga League. Nangle was selected to the Central New York Empire State Team and was a member of New York State 3 in the U.S. Women's Lacrosse national tournament. She has been selected first team all-CNY in both 10th and 11th grade and already has played in two U.S. Women's Lacrosse national tournaments.

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2007-12-17