Feb. 5, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – – Fresh off its run to the 2008 NCAA Finals, the Iowa field hockey program has signed seven standout preps. Kelsey Boyce, Hailey Chadbourne, Grace Dolfi, Sarah Drake, Geena Lesiak, Sarah Pedrick and Kathleen McGraw all signed national letters of intent to attend the University of Iowa next fall.
“The Hawkeye Field Hockey Program continues to attract quality student-athletes,” said Head Coach Tracey Griesbaum. “This class is amazing in so many ways. They are committed students and their athleticism is as strong as any class we have signed. They are completely dedicated to being the best they can be as a Hawkeye.”
Chadbourne, a forward from Pittston, ME, is a two-time NFHCA National High School all-American (2007, 2008) and a two-time NFHCA Regional High School all-American (2007, 2008). Chadbourne holds the records for all-time goals, assists and points at Gardiner Area High School. In 2008, she was named Miss Maine Field Hockey and was the Wendy’s High School Heisman winner for the state of Maine. Chadbourne is a two-time Maine State Player of the Year and three-time all-state and all-conference honoree.
Lesiak, a midfielder from Voorhees, NJ, was named an NFHCA National High School all-American and an NFHCA Regional all-American in 2008. Lesiak’s high school team, Eastern Regional High School, won the New Jersey state championship in 2008 for the 10th-straight year, breaking a state record for most consecutive championships. As a senior, she was named all-state and is also a two-time all-South Jersey selection.
“Hailey [Chadbourne] and Geena [Lesiak] will add skill and explosiveness to our attacking unit,” said Griesbaum. “They have experience playing in both the forward and midfield position. Their attributes will raise the level of play immediately.”
Drake, a midfielder from Ann Arbor, MI, was Pioneer High School’s team MVP in 2008. She compiled 18 goals and 12 assists and was named the Detroit News Field Hockey Player of the Year. During her tenure at Pioneer, the team was crowned state champions three times. Drake is a two-time Futures Elite participant, a two-time National Futures Championship participant and a two-time AAU Junior Olympian.
Pedrick, a midfielder from New Castle, DE, was a two-time all-state honoree, a three-time all-conference selection and a two-time National Futures Championship honoree. The Archmere Academy product was named a 2009 Futures Elite participant. In addition, Pedrick was a four-time state champion soccer player and was a four-year honor roll student.
Dolfi, a midfielder from Chapel Hill, NC, was team captain and the leading goal scorer in 2008 for East Chapel Hill High School. She was named first team all-state en route to leading East Chapel Hill to the state championship. Dolfi is a three-time PAC 6 all-league selection and a two-time AAU Junior Olympian.
“Sarah [Drake], Sarah [Pedrick], and Grace [Dolfi] will contribute to our midfield and backfield next season,” said Griesbaum. “They are solid defenders that also possess outstanding elimination and distribution skills.”
Boyce, a goalkeeper from Califon, NJ, was named first team all-conference, Star Ledger first team all-West Jersey, West Jersey Player of the Year and first team North Jersey Coaches Association as a senior. The Voorhees High School standout led her team to the Hunterdon/Warren County championship and the Skyland Conference championship in 2008. She was also a three-time AAU Junior Olympian and three-time National Futures Championship participant.
McGraw, a goalkeeper from Atherton, CA, was a three-year varsity starter at Saint Francis High School. She recorded 35 shutouts during her high school career. In addition to field hockey, McGraw competed at the varsity level in basketball, softball and track.
“Kelsey [Boyce] and Kathleen [McGraw] will add to our defensive unit by bringing their outstanding skills in the goal,” said Griesbaum. “They are both phenomenal goalkeepers.”
“We are thrilled to have such a solid group of athletes join our program. They are ultimately proud to be Hawkeyes and are determined to make the most of their opportunity.”
These recruits will join a team that finished 18-5, won its third-straight Big Ten Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA semifinals before falling to eventual national champion Maryland in double overtime.