BOONE, N.C. – App State Field Hockey head coach Emily Dinsmore announced the signing of seven players to the 2025-26 roster on Thursday. The Mountaineers will welcome three collegiate transfers (
Kate Richardson,
Calista Schwartz and
Zoey Emrick) and four prep talents (
Grace Bramble,
Carlotta Fabian,
Ellie DeHart and
Emma Livingston) to the High Country.
"Our team had a great preseason and we are ready to compete for another Championship this Fall," said third-year head coach Emily Dinsmore. "Our theme this season is United and anyone that is around our team can tell that we have an unbreakable bond. I love coaching this group and we have the best coaching staff and support team surrounding us. Our strength of schedule is very strong and we are looking forward to competing against some ranked opponents we haven't faced before. Come join us at the Brandon & Erica M. Field Hockey Complex for all our home games. It is an exciting environment and we would love all the support. Go Mountaineers!"
Kate Richardson | Senior | Forward | Edinburgh, Scotland | Maine | Shrewsbury Secondary
A forward from Edinburgh, Scotland, Richardson joins the Mountaineers after spending the previous three seasons with the Maine Black Bears. Richardson tallied 19 points in her junior season (2024), scoring seven goals and dishing out five assists. Her 19 points for the Black Bears in 2024 were the third-most on the team. Through her three years at the collegiate level, Richardson has appeared in 58 games and enters the 2025 season with 29 career starts, 20 of which came in her junior year. For her career, she has scored 11 goals, totaled seven assists and has posted 70 shots on goal. In 2023, she posted a five-point game against Hofstra with two goals and an assist and was named to the America East All-Tournament squad. Academically, she has been named to the NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad.
Why Richardson chose App State: "I chose App State because of the beautiful location and because of the great people in the community."
Dinsmore on Richardson: "Kate transferred to us this past spring and immediately fit right in with our team and our team culture. She is a very smart player who sees the field, can distribute the ball well and generates a lot of attack for us."
Calista Schwartz | Junior | Defense | Vancouver, Canada | Monmouth | Eric Hamber Secondary
From Vancouver, Canada, Schwartz is set for her first season in the High Country after spending her last two years with the Monmouth Hawks. A defender, Schwartz played all 19 games for Monmouth in 2024 and amassed 13 assists and 13 points. Her 13 assists led the Coastal Athletic Conference and were the seventh-most nationally. In addition to her total number, her .684 assists per game mark paced the conference and was the seventh-highest in the country. In 2024, she tallied seven games with an assist and three games with at least two assists. This includes a career-best five assists in a 10-1 victory over William & Mary on Nov. 1. Schwartz has scored two career goals, both coming in her freshman season, while also totaling 20 points. Her first career goal came in her second career game against Rider on Aug. 30. Academically, Schwartz has twice been named to the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Before joining the collegiate ranks, Schwartz played defense for the Vancouver Hawks club team under the direction of Matthew Sarmento. On the national stage, she played for the U-16 Canadian National Team in 2022 and the U-18 National Team in 2023. She was also a member of Team BC in 2023.
Why Schwartz chose App State: I chose App State because of the strong athletic and academic programs. I also liked that it's a big school with lots of different majors to choose from, which caught my attention. The campus looks beautiful, and I'm excited to see everything it has to offer."
Dinsmore on Schwartz: "Calista is a very technically strong player and makes difficult things look easy. From day one Calista was communicating and directing the play in the midfield. We are excited to see the impact she will have for our team this season."
Zoey Emrick | Junior | Forward | Nazareth, Pa. | Central Michigan | Nazareth Area
Joining the Mountaineers from Central Michigan, Emrick has appeared in 34 collegiate games and made 26 career starts. She was Central Michigan's second-leading scorer her sophomore season, amassing 10 points on four goals and two assists. She scored in three straight games in 2024, netting a goal against Bellarmine on Aug. 31, one on Sept. 4 against Stonehill and another on Sept. 7 against Hofstra. In MAC play, Emrick dished out two assists, one coming against James Madison and the other against Ball State, while also scoring a goal vs. Bellarmine on Oct. 4. Her freshman year, Emrick was the Chippewas' leading point scorer as she tallied eight points on four goals scored. Two of those goals came in the same game against Bellarmine, while the other came vs. App State on Sept. 29. For her career, Emrick has scored eight goals and tallied 18 points at the forward position.
From Nazareth, Pa., Emrick shined at Nazareth Area High School, earning a varsity letter all four years she was there. She was a two-time Pennsylvania All-State first-team selection, as well as a three-time Eastern-Pennsylvania Conference first-team selection. In 2021, she was named her conference's Most Valuable Player and was a Top 25 Player to Watch in Pennsylvania in 2022 by MAX. In addition to her high school playing career, Emrick was a part of the Phoenix Performance Academy club team from 2018-2020 and a member of the Philly Hockey Club from 2021-23.
Why Emrick chose App State: "I chose App State because it is in a beautiful location and because the field hockey program has a tradition of winning."
Dinsmore on Emrick: "Zoey has been a great addition to the team. Her craftiness in the circle is so fun to watch and she has a very powerful hit. We are looking forward to utilizing all of her strengths on the attacking end of the field this Fall."
Grace Bramble | Freshman | Goalkeeper | York, Pa. | York Suburban
From York, Pa., Bramble attended York Suburban Senior High School and posted a stellar career in the cage. Bramble finished her high school career as the school's all-time leader in saves and was also the York-Adams County Conference's all-time saves record-holder. Bramble was twice named her conference's player of the year and was on the player to watch list three separate times. A two-time captain of her high school squad, Bramble also found success with her club team, Central Penn Field Hockey Club. Coached by Tabi Kleese, Belinda Hetzel, Andre Stadler and Kevin Bramble, she and her team were the U14 JPOL Champions in the U14 division in 2021. Academically, Bramble was a four-time Distinguished Honor Roll recipient and a member of her school's National Honor Society.
Why Bramble chose App State: "I chose App State because the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home. The coaches and the team were so welcoming to me, and the field hockey program is amazing. Not to mention that the scenery in Boone that you can see everywhere is gorgeous."
Dinsmore on Bramble: "Grace is a hard worker and a talented GK. We are excited for her to continue to grow and develop and she has already made great strides this preseason. Her energy and competitive mindset is a great addition to our team."
Carlotta Fabian | Freshman | Forward | Berlin, Germany | Schadow Gymnasium
From Berlin, Germany, Fabian is set to make her U.S. debut this fall for the Mountaineers. Fabian comes to App State after recording a successful career on the club circuit in Germany, playing for Zehlendorfer Wespen (coached by Patrick Hoppe) and Berliner Sports Club (coached by Aljosha Thews). Fabian is no stranger to winning as she was a part of three Berlin State championship teams in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Additionally, she was also an East German champion in 2023.
Why Fabian chose App State: "App State has the perfect blend of great academics and winning athletics. I'm excited to be a part of it this fall."
Dinsmore on Fabian: "Carlotta has been a great addition to our team. She brings a fun and competitive energy to practice. Carlotta is a skillful forward who loves to attack and we can't wait to see the impact she makes on the field this season."
Ellie DeHart | Freshman | Defense | Hummelstown, Pa. | Lower Dauphin
Making her collegiate debut this fall, DeHart joins the Black and Gold from Hummelstown, Pa., and Lower Dauphin High School. DeHart excelled on both the field hockey field and the lacrosse field in high school, garnering all-conference selections in both sports. In field hockey, DeHart was a 2024 second-team All-State selection and a PennLive All-Star second-team honoree. She was also a 3A field hockey district champ in her senior season. In 2023, DeHart was a part of a state champion team. Her squad won district championships in three of her four seasons. On the lacrosse field, DeHart was an all-conference selection three times for her work on the defensive side of the ball, earning second-team honors in 2023 and first-team recognition in 2024 and 2025. On the club circuit, DeHart was a member of PA Revolution, and her team won the Regional Club Championship in 2024.
Why DeHart chose App State: "I chose App State because of the coaches and the team atmosphere. The city of Boone has a true college-town feel, and the campus is beautiful."
Dinsmore on DeHart: "Ellie is a fighter and a player who perseveres. She brings the energy at practice and is a student of the game. Ellie is a great addition to our team and we are looking forward to seeing her continued growth."
Emma Livingston | Freshman | Midfielder | Lewisberry, Pa. | Red Land
Out of Red Land High School in Pennsylvania, Livingston is set to make her collegiate debut in the fall. Livingston boasted an illustrious career in high school and on the club circuit. She was a six-time national indoor field hockey champion, while also being named a Middle Pennsylvania first-team All-State member. Her junior season at Red Land saw her score seven goals and dish out five assists, helping her to an average of one point per game. In 2022, Livingston scored one goal and tallied nine assists. She played for the PA Revs, coached by Jamie Pollock and Brandy Michael, on the club circuit.
Why Livingston chose App State: "App State felt like home to me when I first visited, and the community made me feel welcomed."
Dinsmore on Livingston: "Emma is a very patient player and does the simple things well. She gives her all and has worked really hard this preseason. I'm excited to see the impact she will have this year and the years to come."
App State is excited to welcome all seven field hockey student-athletes to the High Country this fall. Play begins Friday against UNC in an exhibition at Jan C. Watson Field at the Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field Hockey Complex. The Mountaineers will then travel to Liberty for their final preseason matchup on Aug. 24 before opening the regular season against Towson on Aug. 29.
