BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University field hockey has announced the addition of nine incoming freshmen in time for the fall 2014 season.
"We are very much looking forward to this upcoming season," said head coach Brandi Alexander Kist. "Our incoming class is a well rounded group of very athletic, competitive and hard working players. I am excited to see how the new players will complement and work with our experienced returners. With the speed and skill of the new players, the experience of our returners, and our new water based turf field, this fall is looking bright."
Abby Carls
Midfielder
Chesterfield, Va.
Trinity Episcopal
Carls joins the Mountaineers after being a four-year starter at Trinity Episcopal School. She was named All-State during her sophomore campaign and helped lead her team to the Virginia state finals in her junior year. Carls played club ball for Panthers United.
Alexander Kist Comments: "Abby is great all around player. With her sound fundamentals and work ethic I expect her to be able to contribute in just about any position on the field."
Taylor Cimbalist
Midfielder
Virginia Beach, Va.
First Colonial
Cimbalist will come to Appalachian after finishing up her senior season with many accolades, including first team All-State, first team All-Region and first team All-Conference. During her junior season Cimbalist recieved All-District honors. She most recently was named the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year and played club ball for Beach Premier.
Alexander Kist Comments: "We are looking forward to have Taylor contribute to our midfield and help with the transition from our back field to our attacking end and our ability to sustain our offense. Her vision and distribution skills will be an asset for the team."
Sam Fuerstenberg
Midfielder/Defender
Virginia Beach, Va.
Kempsville
App State will add another Virginia Beach native as Fuerstenberg arrives after finishing up her prep career with 15 goals and 32 assists. As a senior she was named first team All-Conference while also gathering All-State All Star honors. During her junior season, Fuerstenberg was named second team All-District.
Alexander Kist Comments: "Sam has a good base of fundamentals and is a very hard worker. I am looking forward to helping her develop a broader skill set to help contribute to the team."
Rebecca McLean
Defender
Wilmington, N.C.
Cape Fear Academy
McLean will play for the Mountaineers in the fall after being named All-Star during her junior and seniors season at Cape Fear Academy. McLean was also the team MVP in 2012 and 2013, while also recording 11 goals and 11 assists in 22 games. She played club ball for the Charlotte Ambush under Miki Osherow.
Alexander Kist Comments: "Rebecca is a well rounded player with the ability to play many positions. With her strong defensive presence and field awareness she will be able to assist the team in the defensive end as well as through the midfield."
Maddie Phillips
Defender
Virginia Beach, Va.
Floyd E. Kellam
Phillips comes to Appalachian after being named All-State, first team All-Conference and the Conference Player of the Year as a senior, while also leading Floyd E. Kellam High School to a conference championship. Phillips recorded 10 goals, nine assists and eight goal line saves during her four years of prep.
Alexander Kist Comments: "Maddie brings a great deal of field presence to the team. She is a good communicator, a consistent performer and very competitive."
Amber Prince
Midfielder
Sinking Spring, Pa.
Conrad Weiser
Prince joins the Mountaineers after playing two years of field hockey at Conrad Weiser High School. Prince was named Most Outstanding Midfielder, while also recording four goals and six assists during her senior campaign. She played club ball for High Styx under head coach Sylvia Leffler-Shunk.
Alexander Kist Comments: "With her speed and creative 1v1 skills Amber will be able to contribute to our forward line. A scrappy and energetic player, she will surely be a challenge for defenders."
Abbie Roberts
Defender
Avondale, Pa.
Kennett
Roberts lettered in field hockey all four years at Kennett High School, while being named first team All-Conference during her senior campaign. Roberts was also chosen as a 2013 All-Star in the senior game. She was named Best Defensive Player in 2010, 2012 and 2013 and the Most Valuable Player in 2013.
Alexander Kist Comments: "Abbie brings a great deal of athletic ability and competitiveness to the team along with her solid fundamentals. I look forward to seeing Abby step up and push her teammates everyday on the field."
Savanna Sheridan
Forward
Hertford, N.C.
First Colonial
Sheridan, a four-year letter winner in field hockey and soccer, was named second-team All-Conference after her senior season at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach. She tallied 17 goals and 23 assists during the 2013 season and also helped lead her team to State Championships and 25-0 season in her junior year.
Alexander Kist Comments: "Savanna is very athletic and has great vision, decision making, and 1v1 skills. With her solid fundamentals we are looking forward to what she will bring to our attack. "
Libba Wharton
Defender
Richmond, Va.
Collegiate School
Wharton comes to Appalachian in the fall after helping her team at Collegiate School to two State Championshps. Wharton also lettered in track and field and played club ball for the Saints Hockey Rocks.
Alexander Kist Comments: "Libba has a great presence in the backfield. With her athletic ability and field awareness Libba will be able to contribute to our backfield and assist with outletting from the back and even work into the midfield to sustain our offensive push."
