Stetson Lacrosse head coach Christy Leach today announced the addition of nine new players for the 2017 season, the largest class in her three seasons as head coach.
The 2017 class features players from five different states, one junior college transfer and a four-year transfer.
“This class will help us all over the field,” Leach said. “We've covered the entire range of position players with this group. These nine are third of our team now. The newcomers will help increase the level of play for everyone. They bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the roster.”
The class of 2016 hails from Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York and North Carolina.
Bailey Busscher ● Winnetka, Ill. (Loyola Academy)
Graduate magna cum laude from Loyola Academy … enjoyed a stellar prep career, scoring 62 goals with 48 ground balls, and 22 draw controls … helped lead Loyola to three consecutive Illinois state titles … Loyola was ranked 15th nationally during her senior season … earned a spot on the Under Armour All-American Midwest team, as well as all-state honors as a senior … was also lauded as an all-conference and athlete of the week honoree during her career … her brother, father and grandfather all played college sports.
Leach on Busscher: “Bailey won four state championships in high school – she knows how to win. She will be a great addition and can play where ever we need her on the field."
Erin Cornell ● Raleigh, N.C. (Liberty Univ./Apex HS)
Transfer from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where she lettered two seasons with the Flames … appeared in 12 games as a freshman, scoring one goal and winning 19 draws … played in four games as a sophomore … lettered four seasons at Apex High School … scored 167 goals with 44 assists in her career … also had 49 draw controls and 95 ground balls … helped lead Apex to the 2011 state championship and a runner-up finish in 2014 … earned both all-conference on the field and academic all-conference in the classroom … played for the North Carolina U-15 and U-17 teams … competed in the North Carolina Games for the East team.
Leach on Cornell: “Erin is very coachable and her eagerness to get better will only elevate our team as a whole. She understands what it takes to be successful and I can't wait for her to bring that mentality to our team."
Liza Diamond ● Delray Beach, Fla. (St. Andrew's School)
Lettered four seasons as a goalie at St. Andrew's and Spanish River High in Boca Raton … named first-team all-area as a senior by the Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel … earned the Jerry Reese Sportsmanship Award at St. Andrew's … three-time all-district selection two-time first-team all-region pick … saved 67 percent of shots again her as senior … recorded 24 saves against her former team, Spanish River, in the district semi-finals … saved at least 61 percent of shot attempts in each of her three final high school seasons.
Leach on Diamond: “Liza brings a sense of calm confidence when she steps onto the field. She doesn't get rattled and I'm excited for her to step between the pipes for us this season and lead our defense."
Peyton Holifield ● Bethesda, Md. (Connelly School of the Holy Child)
Scored 34 goals and had 52 assists in her career at Connelly School … team posted an 8-5 record her senior year … won the team award … coached at Connelly by Sarah Achenbach … also played field hockey.
Leach on Holifield: “Peyton brings a different dynamic to our attack and I can't wait to see how quickly she builds chemistry with our returners. She will help us move forward into the possession clock era of college women's lacrosse."
Holly Krupa ● Jensen Beach, Fla. (Jensen Beach HS)
Helped lead Jensen Beach to a district championship in 2015 … first-team all-area as a senior when she led the team in draw controls, ground balls (48) and caused turnovers (62) … awarded Unsung Hero and Dra Control Queen honors … also excelled in softball, earning all-area and Golden Glove honors … was also a district champion in swimming (50 yd. freestyle & 4x100 relay) … comes from an athletic family … her father played basketball at Jacksonville, while her brother is on the baseball team at Northwood.
Leach on Krupa: “Holly's pure athleticism will help us move forward in the Atlantic Sun conference. She will help us push transition and can be a threat on both ends of the field.”
Jaclynn Levy ● East Islip, N.Y. (St. John the Baptist)
Scored 36 goals and had 20 assists in her final two seasons at St. John the Baptist, earning all-league honors … sister, Nicole, plays lacrosse at Syracuse … her father played lacrosse at Roanoke College.
Leach on Levy: “Jaclynn has a nose for the goal and gets the job done on attack. She will add a lot of value to our attack and help us be successful this spring.”
Karli Maguire ● Bel Air, Md. (John Carroll HS)
Sister of current Hatter Sam Maguire … also played soccer in high school … played club lacrosse with North East Maryland Select.
Leach on Maguire: “Karli does all the gritty work in the midfield and does it very quietly. She can be a threat with and without the ball and I can't wait to see how she meshes with the returners to elevate our play."
Devon McKercher ● Binghamton, N.Y. (Monroe CC/UMass-Lowell/Vestal HS)
Transfer from Monroe Community College in Brighton, N.Y. … helped lead Tribunes to their fourth straight NJCAA national championship in May … had a goal and an assist in the title game against Onondaga CC … Tribunes finished the season with a perfect 18-0 record … she finished the year with 23 goals and 24 assists … played her freshman season at UMass-Lowell … appeared in 17 games with the River Hawks, scoring 13 goals and adding four assists … was a two-time first-team all-section pick at Vestal High School … helped lead Vestal to three straight sectional championships (2012-14) … Vestal reached the state semifinals during her sophomore season … finished her high school career with 129 goals and 72 assists … father, Mike, is Stetson's Assistant A.D. for External Operations.
Leach on McKercher: “Devon brings a wealth of experience, most recently winning the 2016 NJCAA National Championship at Monroe. She will bring her winning ways to DeLand and will be a great addition to our attack."
Sarah Trupp ● Brightwaters, N.Y. (Bay Shore HS)
Earned all-county honors in both lacrosse and field hockey at Bay Shore High School … also ran track and participated in gymnastics … helped her lacrosse and track & field teams to county championships … earned all-state honors in gymnastics … has a sister, Johanna, who played lacrosse at Geneseo.
Leach on Trupp: “Sarah can play anywhere on the field. Her speed and athleticism will set her apart on the field and I'm excited for her to help our team be successful this year."
