 12/5/05 --
Six high school standouts have signed National Letters of Intent to play women's
lacrosse at Long Island University, second-year head coach
Regan Teti announced Monday. It marks the first-ever fall (early)
signees in the program’s four year history.
The 2006 recruiting class includes Ilana Bernstein (Ithaca, N.Y.), Danielle Laird
(West Chester, Pa.), Jillian Maricondo (Levittown, N.Y.), Kattarina Oswaks (Westlake
Village, Calif), Kristina Scheerer (West Chester, Pa.) and Christie Wienckowski
(Newton Square, Pa.).
Bernstein, a talented 5-9 defender, hails from Ithaca High School in Ithaca,
N.Y. She earned first team Section IV Division I honors last season after helping
her team reach the sectional title and post a 17-4 ledger. Bernstein was twice
named an STAC all-star (2004, 2005).
Laird, a 5-7- defender, comes from Henderson High School in Pennsylvania. In
addition to lacrosse, she also competed on the soccer, indoor track and cross
country teams. A member of the Spanish National Honor Society, Laird also has
played for the SEPA club program the past three years. She participated in the
NDP showcase, earning all-tournament team honors.
Maricondo, a midfielder from Long Island (MacArthur HS), is a member of the Liberty
Lacrosse club program run by four-time World Cup standout Danielle Gallagher.
With Liberty, Maricondo has competed against the top level club teams at All-Star
Express and the All American showcase. The successful athlete is also a standout
on the basketball court, having earned all-division honors.
Oswaks is the third defender in the gifted class. The Westlake High School product
was both the captain and most valuable player of her team last season. President
of her senior class, the California native also competes on the X-Team travel
team coached by Crista Samaras. Osawks also participated in water polo and basketball
at Westlake.
Wienckowski, a speedy attacker/midfielder, comes to downtown Brooklyn from Marple
Newtown High School. Last season as a junior, she earned All-Central and All-Delco
honors after tallying 48 goals. The feat placed her in the top 10 scorers list
in all of Delaware County. In addition, the multi-talented athlete registered
40 assists that season. A member of the highly touted club team, Phantastix,
Wienckowski is the third member of her family to play collegiate lacrosse; sister
Amy played at La Salle while another sister, Brenda, is a sophomore at Northeast
Conference rival Monmouth.
Scheerer is a midfielder from Bishop Shanahan HS. A four year varsity starter,
she was an all-area and All-Chesmont honorable mention selection. She has served
as team captain the past two seasons and with Laird is a member of the touted
SEPA club team. A gifted runner, she won a silver medal running the 400-meters
at the Penn Relays in 2002.
"I am thrilled about the early commitment of these six outstanding individuals,” Teti
said. “Each one of these talented student-athletes brings a strong passion
for the game, an incredible work ethic and an intense competitive spirit to
LIU with incredible collegiate potential both on the field and in the classroom.”
The Blackbirds commence the 2006 season on Friday, March 3, hosting Canisius
at 6:00 p.m.
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