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Saint Francis (PA) Field Hockey Inks Three More to NLIs
5/21/2010
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Loretto, PA -- The Saint Francis field hockey team has increased their class of 2010 by three, as Rachel Behne (Clifton, Va./Centreville), Lottie Chipego (Dallas, Pa./Lake Lehman) and Jillian DiCola (Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive) have signed National Letters of Intent. The trio will join head coach Stacey Bean and the Red Flash next season.
Behne, a midfielder/back, is a three-year letterwinner for Meghan Doran at Centreville High School in Virginia. In 2009, she led the Wildcats to the Virginia Northern Region Finals, and was named to the Concorde District All-Tournament team, as well as the Concorde All-District Second team. Behne also competed for the Pegasus Field Hockey Club, participating in the USFHA National Indoor Tournament, USFHA Futures Region 8 and USFHA National Festival.
“Rachel will bring athleticism and versatility to the Red Flash roster next season,” said Coach Bean, who enters her third season at the helm of the Red Flash. “A well-rounded student-athlete with a ‘team first’ attitude, Rachel’s ability to play any number of positions on the field will add depth to our line-up.”
A three-time letterwinner in lacrosse, Behne excelled in the classroom as well. She was named an AP Scholar, an Academic Letter winner and is a member of the National Honor Society. Behne will enroll in SFU’s Nursing Program.
“I chose Saint Francis University because it has the major I want and a great academic support system,” said Behne. “I also like the small size of the school.”
Dallas, Pa., native Chipego was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Lake Lehman Junior-Senior High School. Under the direction of head coach Jean Lipski, Chipego helped the Knights to a 14-3 record in 2009. For her efforts, she earned a nod on the All-State Honorable Mention list for the midfield.
“Lottie is a skilled, fundamentally sound athlete,” said Coach Bean. “Given her strength and competitiveness, I anticipate Lottie making an impact in both the midfield and the backfield, while adding a new dimension to our corner units throughout her Red Flash career.”
A talented athlete, Chipego was also a four-year letterwinner for the Knights’ softball team, where she earned four All-Star awards as a catcher. She will enroll SFU’s Elementary/Special Education program.
“I have visited many campuses and none of them felt right,” said Chipego. “Coach Bean contacted me and when I arrived at St Francis, I felt it was an extension of home. The campus is beautiful, the classes are small and the administrators, students, and players made me feel welcome. I could feel that this was where I was going to continue the next part of my life.”
DiCola rounds out the newest group of signees. A goalkeeper for head coach Brigette Geiger at Mount Olive High School, DiCola boasted a save percentage of 86 percent as a junior and 87 percent as a junior. She was named the Defensive MVP in 2006 and 2009, and earned All-Conference First Team honors in 2009. DiCola previously earned All-Conference Second Team honors in 2008 and All-County Third Team Honors in 2008 as well.
“A 2-time MVP at Mount Olive H.S., Jill is a quick, athletic All-conference goalkeeper who will add a new dimension to our defensive unit,” said Coach Bean.
DiCola was named a Fall Scholar-Athlete in 2009 and was also an Academic All-American Nominee. She will enroll in SFU’s prestigious Occupational Therapy program in the fall.
“For me Saint Francis was the perfect mix of academics and athletics,” said DiCola. “I will be able to study and achieve my goals both in school and on the field hockey field.”
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