Field Hockey | December 15, 2020

PHILADELPHIA – La Salle University head field hockey coach MaKayla Hancock has announced that eight student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Explorers in the fall of 2021.

Cristina Dougherty (Schwenksville, Pa.), Grace Ferriolo (Gibbsboro, N.J.), Anya Kochanowicz (Wyndmoor, Pa.), Laura McCann (Haddonfield, N.J.), Quinn Medico (Forty Fort, Pa.), Sofia Pla (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Simi Potgieter (Pretoria, South Africa), and Sophia Wasyliw (Jamison, Pa.) comprise the talented class.

"Our coaching staff is beyond excited to welcome this talented group of young women to 20^th & Olney," Hancock said. "We have a group comprised of great talent, and we know they'll be a big part in taking our program to the next level."

"We're excited to add depth to our field player lines, and to be able to be a bit more creative in our structure, formations, and set plays," Hancock continued. "All of these young women have such unique strengths, personalities, and backgrounds, and we know they'll dive right in and complement our already special group of current student-athletes."

Cristina Dougherty • Schwenksville, Pa. • Perkiomen Valley
A four-year varsity starter, Dougherty was named Second Team All-State as a senior at Perkiomen Valley. During her high school career, her team won 51 games and went undefeated (18-0-0) during her sophomore season.

Hancock on Dougherty: "Cristina's creativity and raw athletic ability will make her an exciting Explorer to follow. She is a natural goal scorer and will give us more depth, as we look to really develop and elevate our goal scoring capabilities. Cristina's ability to explode with the ball will make her a great addition to our forward line, and we're excited to see her growth and potential within our program."

Grace Ferriolo • Gibbsboro, N.J. • Eastern Regional
Playing for perennial powerhouse Eastern Regional High School in New Jersey, Ferriolo was a member of three straight state champions. The Vikings have won 21 consecutive state titles, and went 21-2 in 2019. Ferriolo won the Unsung Hero Award as a junior, and was named team captain as a senior.

Hancock on Ferriolo: "Grace is coming to us from the same outstanding program as our veteran goalkeeper, Cassie Kincaid. She's had an incredible hockey background, has a championship mindset, and we're excited for her to bring that winning attitude with her to La Salle. Grace will add depth and confidence to our backfield. Her ability to win the ball back and attack forward with speed is something we're really looking forward to utilizing, and we can't wait to begin to work with Grace in the fall."

Anya Kochanowicz • Wyndmoor, Pa. • Springfield Township
A four-time All-Suburban One Conference selection, Kochanowicz was a member of the first team as a senior at Springfield Township, scoring 15 goals and captaining her squad to an undefeated 8-0 record during league play. As a junior, the midfielder/defender was an honorable mention all-state honoree as her team reached the second round of the PIAA State Tournament.

Hancock on Kochanowicz: "Anya is one of our local Pennsylvania student-athletes joining us here in Philadelphia. A lover of everything La Salle, Philadelphia, and hockey, we're excited to get someone with so much drive and passion added to our roster. Her work rate, strength, and creativity will add depth to our talented midfield line, and we can't wait for her to become an Explorer and see her shine."

Laura McCann • Haddonfield, N.J. • Camden Catholic
A varsity starter for four straight seasons, McCann was a second team all-conference choice as a junior after scoring 11 goals and registering 12 assists at Camden Catholic. The team also found collective success, compiling a 19-3 record and winning the South Jersey Non-Public Championship. Also a standout on the track, she holds school indoor records in the 400m and 800m.

Hancock on McCann: "Poised, strong, intelligent, and enormously talented, Laura is someone we can't wait to get working with. She's coming to us from right across the bridge in New Jersey, and also comes from a great high school and club hockey background. She not only works exceptionally hard in the classroom, but on the turf as well. Laura's ability to play multiple positions makes her an unbelievable asset to our team, and we know the hard work she puts into everything she does will make her an immediate contributor and leader on and off the pitch."

Quinn Medico • Forty Fort, Pa. • Wyoming Seminary
A versatile field player who can play at all three levels, Medico was a member of back-to-back state championship teams at Wyoming Seminary as a sophomore and junior. Over her four-year high school career, she has a career record of 79-6-1, and has won district championships four times.

Hancock on Medico: "Another one of our freshmen who is no stranger to winning championships, Quinn is joining us from another familiar high school, the same as graduating senior, Nina Magnotta. Her club and high school experience will be advantageous in her transition to college hockey. We look for Quinn to immediately add to our midfield line, and give us speed, quick and effective decision making, and add a spark to our attack. A competitor at heart, we couldn't be more excited to be welcoming Quinn to our Explorer family."

Sofia Pla • Buenos Aires, Argentina • Colegio Hans Christian Andersen
A native of Argentina, Pla won two AHBA championships with her hometown club, San Andres, and was awarded the 2018 Merit Award among her teammates. Also an accomplished soccer player, her Club Atletico Tigre team qualified for the 2020 Argentine Cup.

Hancock on Pla: "We're eager to have Sofi join us here in Philadelphia from Argentina. When our staff first watched Sofi play, her speed, confidence, contagious positivity, and drive for being the best stuck out immediately. Her quick and attacking style of play will make her a big threat in our midfield and attacking 25. An immensely talented young woman, we're looking forward to seeing Sofi blossom at La Salle and continuing to make us better in all aspects."

Simi Potgieter • Pretoria, South Africa • Die Hoërskool Menlopark
Potgieter comes to Philadelphia by way of South Africa, where she was a member of the first team high school squad that was ranked third nationally in 2019. A defender, she was a member of the Harlequin Club that won its league in 2019.

Hancock on Potgieter: "Small but mighty, we can't wait to see all that Simi can do within our defensive unit. Joining us from South Africa, her strength is deceiving, and her accuracy in outletting under pressure is well beyond her years. Simi will add speed and advanced tackling to our veteran backfield. We know she's going to be an incredible Explorer, and are eager to get her to Philadelphia."

Sophia Wasyliw • Jamison, Pa. • Central Bucks South
Wasyliw, like her future teammate Anya Kochanowicz, was a First Team All-Suburban One Conference selection as a senior at Central Bucks South. A team captain, Wasyliw led her team in assists and helped the Titans to an upset win over the top-seeded team in the District I-3A playoffs.

Hancock on Wasyliw: "An area no stranger to La Salle and great hockey players, Soph joins us from Bucks County where she had an outstanding high school career. Although a kind soul off the field, she's not one that shies away from tough competition on it. Soph will add a gritty, gutsy and all-out mentality to our attacking 25 and pressing unit. To be able to do what Sophia does, and do it at speed is a skill in itself, and we're looking forward to adding her strengths to our already talented group."