Rutgers Field Hockey Announces 2011 Recruiting Class
Apr 25 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 25, 2011) – The Rutgers field hockey team has signed its 2011 recruiting class, head coach Liz Tchou announced today. The class features a pair of standouts in Jenn Staab (Marmora, N.J.) and Sophie Annelise Wright (Devizes, United Kingdom).
“This class is small but powerful,” said Tchou. “We have two players in Jenn and Sophie who have competed at a very high level of field hockey in the U.S. and England. They both have a passion for Rutgers and the desire to become the best at their positions. Ultimately, they are a pair that fits in great with our current roster and will do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
| STAAB |
Staab arrives “On the Banks” after a decorated playing career at Ocean City High School under legendary head coach Trish LeFever and current head coach Cory Picketts. Staab started all 90 games in her career on one of New Jersey’s best squads. During her time at Ocean City, the center midfielder led her squad to an 85-5 overall record, four Cape Atlantic League Championships, three South Jersey Group III Championships and a New Jersey Group II State Championship, while tallying 45 goals and 19 assists.
The team successes of Ocean City led Staab to garner many personal accolades, including being named an NFHCA Regional All-American the past two seasons, a Second Team All-State selection as a senior after being named to the third team as a junior, and a three-year South Jersey Group II First Team honoree.
Staab has also been a member of the USA Field Hockey Futures program since 2006 where she was a three time Futures Elite Selection and was selected to the women’s junior high performance trial in 2010 and 2011. On the club level, Staab competes for the highly decorated Spirit of USA field hockey club.
In addition to her successes on the field, Staab also excels in the classroom, recording a 3.9 grade point average and earning distinguished honors from Ocean City every marking period.
“To be able to land a player like Jenn from one of the most successful programs in the state of New Jersey is something that we are all very excited about,” said Tchou. “Jenn’s resume speaks for itself. She is a diehard field hockey enthusiast. Not only is she an excellent field hockey player, but her competitive nature and passion will immediately make us a better unit on and off the field. Her personality fits right in with our current group of girls and we can’t wait for her to arrive on campus.”
| WRIGHT |
Wright comes to RU from Devizes, U.K. where she most recent competed for the Bath Buccaneers Ladies 1sts of the England Hockey League. Prior to her time with Bath, the talented midfielder who can play both sides of the ball competed with the Wessex Leopards U18s where she was a co-captain and helped lead the Leopards to the England Hockey Futures Cup.
Wright was also the Wiltshire County representative for five years for U14/15/16/17/18 and served as the team captain with her U15 squad and was selected to the Bristol Junior Regional Performance Camp three times (2009-11). Other teams that Wright competed with include the Dauntsey’s School 1st hockey team (2009, 10) and the Devizes Ladies 1st hockey team (2004-09).
Wright also excels off the field, starting in several school musical productions and being selected as a “Young Ambassador” for the 2012 London Olympics.
“On her official visit, Sophie hit if off right away with the staff and players,” Tchou said. “Her skill level and will to win will make her a threat every time she touches the ball. The experience she gained playing at a high level in the U.K. will undoubtedly help our team as she has the ability to make her teammates better on every play. Sophie also has a fun personality that will fit right in with us here at RU and we’re excited to see what she will accomplish during her time “On the Banks”.”
The 2011 Scarlet Knights will return 18 letterwinners and 10 starters, including their leading goal scorer and point getter, from a squad that advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time since 2003.
