May 18, 2000

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech Lacrosse Coach Brooke Martin Ireland has announced the signing of eight newcomers to letters of intent for the 2000-2001 academic school year.

Meredith Barry, 5-9, Fr., Midfield

South River High School, Davidsonville, Md.

Four-year letterwinner in lacrosse ∑ Also lettered in field hockey and indoor track ∑ Second-team all-county in field hockey ∑ Second-team all-county in lacrosse as a contributor on line defense ∑ Born August 8, 1982, she is the daughter of Stephen and Susan Barry ∑ Undecided about her major at Virginia Tech.

Martin Ireland said. "Meredith is a tenacious defensive player with excellent ball- handling activities. I think that one attribute that Meredith has that will make her a true threat to any opponent is her height. Standing at 5-9, she could become one of the strongest defenders in the country. Meredith also has the ability to take the ball down to the attacking end and by using her height, can also be a threat on the offensive end. I am looking forward to coaching Meredith and helping her become the best collegiate lacrosse player that she can become."

Kathleen Coolahan, 5-4. Fr., Defensive Wing

Mount de Sales Academy, Ellicott City, Md.

Three-year starter in lacrosse, leading the team in ground balls with 84 and tied for second in assists ∑ Attended numerous Elite camps and was selected to compete at the all-star Express Tournament ∑ Three-year letterwinner in soccer, co-captain her senior year ∑ Lettered two years in indoor track ∑ Voted runner of the year in 1997 ∑ Member of her class government and the National Honor Society ∑ Born April 19, 1982, she is the daughter of Jim and Liz Coolahan ∑ Looking to major in biology or psychology.

Martin Ireland said. "Kathleen is a speedster with great athletic ability, who will be a true asset to our program next year. She is an unselfish player who makes smart play-making decisions and has the ability to become one of the most threatening players in our midfield transition. I am excited to see her grow as a college player and expect great things from her in years here at Tech."

Hilary Fay, 5-9, Fr., Attack

Shawnee High School, Medford, N.J.

Two-time letterwinner in lacrosse ∑ As a junior, she scored 25 goals and had 13 assists ∑ Also participated in volleyball, cross country and track & field ∑ Born July 26, 1982, she is the daughter of Scott and Joyce Fay ∑ Will major in communications at Virginia Tech.

Martin Ireland said, "Hilary is an aggressive player that has speed and endurance. We were looking to increase our overall team speed this year with some speedy midfielders and Hilary fits the mold. Her ball-handling skills, along with her ability to run the field will add depth to our attacking midfield position. Along with this, her knack for finding the goal and finishing shots in crucial situations will add another dimension to our attacking unit. Hilary's hard work ethic will allow her to excel on the collegiate level and help us to reach our goals.

Jessica Goertler, 5-6, Fr., Attack/Midfield

River Hill High School, Ellicott City, Md.

Letterwinner in lacrosse and soccer ∑ Voted the most improved player in 1996 ∑ Injured for half of the season her sophomore year, but still contributed 17 goals and eight assists ∑ She is a scholar-athlete and a member of the National Honor Society ∑ Born September 13, 1982, she is the daughter of John and Karen Goertler ∑ Will study mathematics at Tech.

Martin Ireland said, "Jessie is a nice player with good stick skills and a game sense that is instinctive. She has the ability to become the playmaker at the college level. She can feed the ball well and finish a shot. Those attributes will make Jessie an impact player in our offensive unit. I am excited to see what Jessie will do at the collegiate level. I believe that she has the ability to become a key player in our attack."

Tracie McClintic, 5-6, Fr., Midfield

C. Milton Wright High School, Bel Air, Md.

Four-year letterwinner in lacrosse ∑ Selected to several all-star teams ∑ Has been a consistent defensive threat at the Elite 300 ∑ Born June 7, 1981, she is the daughter of David and Debbie McClintic ∑ Undecided about her major at Tech.

Martin Ireland said, "Tracie is a very intense player who will be an asset to our program in the midfield area. She possesses a lot of speed and endurance and can only enhance those attributes in college. Her stick skills have been steadily improving over the past three years, and although her stick skills are not a big factor due to her athleticism and ability to protect the ball on instinct, the improvement in stick skills will just solidify her play at the collegiate level. I am fortunate to have Tracie coming to play for us. She will be a major asset to this team."

Jamie McGraw, 5-5, Fr., Goalie

St. Mary's High School, Annapolis, Md.

Letterwinner in lacrosse and field hockey ∑ Named to the all-tournament team at the U.S. National Tournament as a junior ∑ Selected most valuable player of the Bilderback Rising Seniors in 1999 ∑ Was the starting goalie for the co-champion team at the Vail Shootout last summer ∑ Born September 17, 1982, she is the daughter of Robert and Lori McGraw ∑ Undecided about her major at Virginia Tech.

Martin Ireland said, "Jamie is a solid defender in goal. She will become an integral part of our program. Jamie possesses an incredible amount of determination and focus in the cage. She is a good communicator with the defense and will form a bond with the team right away. Once she has college experience behind her, she has the potential to become one of the best NCAA Division I goalkeepers in the country."

Lindsey Welch, 5-4, Attack

Cherry Creek High School, Englewood, Colo.

Four-year letterwinner in lacrosse ∑ Two-time all-state selection ∑ Named most valuable player of the state finals as a junior ∑ 1999 All-American selection ∑ 1999 state player of the year ∑ Also participated in cross country ∑ Member of the National Honor Society ∑ Born October 29, 1981 ∑ Will study pre-law or nutrition and health at Virginia Tech..

Martin Ireland said, "Lindsey possesses great speed and endurance, which allows her to make a quick impact on our team. Her game sense and ability to see the field and read situations will be a tremendous asset in the midfield. She anticipates very well which will allow her to make big plays in the midfield. Lindsey's overall athletic ability and dedication to being the best will allow her to adjust to the collegiate level and become very successful.

Rachel Urban, 5-7, Fr., Attack

McDonough School, Linthicum, Md.

Four-year letterwinner in lacrosse and volleyball ∑ Selected to the all-tournament team in the Virginia Lacrosse Tournament last season ∑ Also selected to attend the Elite 300 Camp at Loyola College the past two years ∑ Born July 18, 1982, she is the daughter of Joseph and Susan Urban ∑ Exploring veterinary science as a major.

Martin Ireland said. "Rachel is an aggressive athlete who will pick up the college game right away. She is a smart player with quick lateral movements, which gives her the ability to get by her the ability to get by her opponents and head to the goal. She also has speed, which will enhance her play at the collegiate level and threaten our opponents. I believe that Rachel will make an impact on our attacking unit and I look forward to having her hard work ethic become part of our team."