March 16, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle head field hockey coach Michelle Marks has signed six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent-- Kerri Badessa (Hammonton, NJ / St. Joseph's Regional HS), Jessica Deaner (Berlin, NJ / Eastern Regional), Mariel Papa (Berlin, NJ / Eastern Regional), Lisa Shaffer (Hummelstown, PA / Lower Dauphin), Olivia Shoemaker (Souderton, PA / Souderton) and Kelly Rae Wright (Norfolk, VA / Maury). They will make their debut for the Explorers during the 2010 season.

"The La Salle Field Hockey coaching staff and team are very excited to have signed six strong players for our incoming class," head coach Michelle Marks said. "They are all very excited to be Explorers and are looking forward to the challenge of taking their game to the next level."

Badessa was a four-time all-conference selection at St. Joseph's Regional High School under head coach John DeMarco, earning first team accolades three times. A team captain and MVP as a senior, she earned Second Team All-South Jersey Non-Public honors twice in her career. Badessa was also a Futures Level I Athlete from 2006-09 and along with fellow signee Jessica Deaner helped Spirit of USA club team win the National Hockey Festival and Disney Showcases in 2008.

"Kerri has excellent passing skills and her ability to distribute the ball will fit in nicely with our possession style of play," Marks said. "She is a versatile player with a great sense and knowledge of the game. We will look for her to play on any line for us."

Deaner, whose sister Rachel will be a senior defender for La Salle in 2010, and Papa helped Eastern win four New Jersey Group IV Championships and three New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles during her career.

As a senior, Deaner was named second team all-state, first team all-state Group IV, second team all-South Jersey, first team all-South Jersey Group IV, and first team all-conference. She played in the National Futures Championship three times and helped her Spirit of USA club team win the National Hockey Festival and Disney Showcases in 2008. She was also a NFHCA High School Academic All-American selection.

"Deaner is a smart player and shows maturity on the field with her decision-making under pressure," Marks said. "She is a tremendous competitor and we will look for her to generate attack out of the backfield."

Papa earned third team all-state, first team all-state Group IV, second team all-South Jersey Group IV and first team all-conference citations. She played in the National Futures Championship three times and helped Spirit of USA club team win the National Hockey Festival and Disney Showcases in 2008.

"Mariel is the definition of a dynamic player and goal scorer," Marks said. "Her quickness and speed with the ball make her a true threat on the forward line especially inside the circle."

Shaffer was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at goalie for head coach Linda Kreiser at Lower Dauphin. She helped her team to a pair of Pennsylvania Class AAA state titles and three district, Mid-Penn and conference championships.

Shaffer, who recorded 28 shutouts in her career, played in the California National Festival twice with the Barracudas club team and helped them qualify for Indoor Nationals twice.

"Lisa's quickness and instincts will have a significant impact for us defensively," Marks said. "Her competitive nature and presence in the cage elevates the level of play whenever she suits up. She has a strong fundamental base and we look forward to her development."

Shoemaker earned second team all-state honors under coach Maryanna Harris at Souderton last season. A team captain, she was a two-time all-league honoree and earned Philadelphia Inquirer All-Southeastern Pennsylvania second team recognition. A teammate of current La Salle freshman Rebecca Chylack and sophomore Katelyn Haney at Souderton, Shoemaker played for the Souderton Strikers club team.

"Olivia has great athletic ability and plays with a determination and passion that makes her extremely difficult to defend," Marks said. "Her aggressive nature and fight on the field make her an exciting player to watch."

Wright was an honorable mention all-state pick and earned first team all-region, all-district and second team all-Tidewater honors at Maury. She played for the Beach Premiere club team.

"Kelly Rae will add versatility to our team and possesses the ability to play and perform on any line," Marks said. "Her speed and explosiveness on the ball will add a spark on the field. Her work ethic and drive will enhance the competitive spirit of the team. "