Feb. 8, 2008
IOWA CITY –
The University of Iowa field hockey team signed five Pennsylvania high school standouts for the 2008 season. Tori Garifo, Leslie Pyle, Nicole Fiorilla, Lauren Whalen and Rebecca Spengler all signed National Letters of Intent.
“The incoming freshmen class is unbelievable,” Iowa Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum said. “Their attitude, energy and love of the game is second to none. The class is very balanced in regards to positions, which allows the 2008 team to have more depth in every line. The competitive nature of all of them is going to help our team on a daily basis.”
Garifo attends Red Lion High School in Red Lion and has been their goalkeeper the past four years. During her time anchoring the defense, she was named captain and received the team’s Unsung Hero award. On the national scene, she participated in the 2007 National Futures Championship and was a Futures Elite participant.
“We are thrilled to have Tori add to our depth in the goalkeeping position,” Griesbaum said. “She has the tools to help raise our level of execution on the defensive end immediately.”
Pyle attends Plymouth Whitemarsh High School in Lafayette Hill. During her senior campaign, she was named first team all-state, Suburban One American Conference Most Vauluable Player and was the Times Herald Player of the Year. The midfielder captured the gold medal at the 2007 U-19 National Futures Championship along with being a Futures Elite participant in 2008.
“Leslie is a worker who is a very skilled and versatile player,” Griesbaum noted. “She out-hustles teammates and opponents on a daily basis. Her willingness to win will help the Hawkeyes reach our goals.”
Fiorilla attends Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown. As the captain of her high school team, she led her team in scoring. In 2007, the midfielder/defender was named to the all-state team and first team all-area. Her club team won the 2007 Pool “A” title in the National Indoor Tournament along with winning their pool at the National Hockey Festival.
“Nicole will be able to help our defensive unit,” Griesbaum said. “She has a good understanding of the game and will work hard to help her team win games.”
Whalen attends Villa Maria Academy in Phoenixville. The defender was the captain of her team and helped lead them to a District 1 championship and a trip to the P.I.A.A Elite Eight in 2007. She was an all-area first team selection in 2005, 2006 and was named Player of the Year in 2007.
Whalen was a first team all-state selection in 2007 as well. She competed in the Australia Hockey Feast in 2006 and also helped her club team to an NIT Pool “E” title in 2007.
“Lauren will be a great defender for the Hawkeyes.” Griesbaum said. “She sees the field well and makes solid decisions. Her attitude and energy are what we are looking for in every recruiting class.”
Spengler attends Warwick High School in Lititz which is the same high school as current team member Meghan Beamesderfer. The midfielder was a first team all-state selection, Lancaster Lebanon all-league selection and a Lancaster Lebanon first team all-star selection after her senior campaign. She was a Junior Olympian and participated at the National Futures Championships in 2006.
“She is a talented athlete with good speed,” Griesbaum said. “Becca will help elevate our play in the midfield right away.”
The newest Hawkeyes plan on helping the team to a successful year in 2008 while improving on the 2007 season which included a Big Ten Tournament Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, all while being ranked in the top 10 nationally the entire season.
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