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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Meghan Conroy, Cat Nicholson, Grace McGuire, Ciara Smith, Makenna Maguire, and Leah Zellner have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa next fall, UI field hockey head coach Lisa Cellucci announced Wednesday.
“We are extremely excited to add these outstanding student-athletes to our program,” said Cellucci. “They are wonderful people, students, and field hockey players. They will add depth to every line on the field. Their athleticism, speed, skill, competitiveness, and desire to compete at the highest level will allow them to make an impact right away. We can’t wait for them to get on campus and help us build on the tradition of excellence within our program.”
Meghan Conroy | 5’4” | MF/F
Chesterfield, Mo.
Lafayette High School
- Started every high school game of her career under Melissa Schroeder at Lafayette High School
- School record holder in career goals (48) and assists (75)
- Guided Lafayette to a 16-2-3 record in 2017
- Led team to Final Four in 2016 state tournament
- Member of the USA Field Hockey Futures U-19 National Team (2016-17)
- Winner of U-16 Regional Club Championship in 2015 and two-time winner of the U-19 Naples Winter Warm Up Showcase in 2016 and 2017
- Two-time first team all-conference selection
- First team All-Metro St. Louis in 2016
- Max Field Hockey Preseason State Player of the Year and All-American Watch List recipient (2017)
- 2014 Rookie of the Year
- Recipient of Gold Renaissance Award (2014-17) for having GPA above 4.0
Cat Nicholson | 5’4” | D
Lake Forest, Ill.
Lake Forest High School
- Played under Cat Catanzaro at Lake Forest High School
- School record holder in career goals (21) and assists (33), and single-season record holder in assists (15)
- Three-time conference champion (2014, 2016, 2017)
- 2016 state champion
- Runner-up at the 2014 state meet
- Finished third at state in 2015
- All-conference, all-state, and all-star honoree
- Currently a member of the Windy City Field Hockey Club
- Won Junior Premier Outdoor League series in 2016 and Regional Club Championships in 2015
- Placed fourth at Nationals in 2015
- Team captain on high school and club team
- All-conference selection in lacrosse
Grace McGuire | 5’9” | GK
St. Louis, Mo.
Nerix Hall High School
- Played four years under Jody Patterson at Nerix Hall High School
- Received all-conference honors in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and all-metro honors in 2016
- Registered 49 career shutouts and 633 saves in her four year prep career
- Played club field hockey for five years at AIM Field Hockey Club
- Participated in STX U-19 Select Tournament and Training Camp, U-19 Junior National Camp, U-19 NFC Star & Stripes Elite Game, and U-19 Regional and National Futures Championship in 2017
- AAU Junior Olympic Gold Medalist in 2016
- Selected to Under Armour Select Game in 2016
- Won U-16 National Club Challenge and U-16 Midwest Region Junior Premier Outdoor League series in 2015
- Varsity soccer participant in 2014
Ciara Smith | 5’7” | F
Midlothian, Va.
Trinity Episcopal School
- Played under Margie Snead at Trinity Episcopal School
- Compiled 48 goals and 23 assists in her high school career
- 2015 Virginia State Division I champion
- State runner-up in 2016
- Member of Saints Hockey Rocks Club since 2013
- U-19 Club team is currently ranked sixth in the country
- Placed first in division at USA Field Hockey Festival and third at USA Field Hockey National Club Championship in 2016
- Two-time letter winner in softball as a centerfielder and lacrosse as a forward
- Four-year honor roll member
Makenna Maguire | 5’7” | MF
Rumson, N.J.
Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School
- Coached by Julie Brewington at Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School
- Three-time all-conference and two-time all-state selection
- Registered 50 goals and 55 assists in her high school career
- Four-time Shore Conference champion and two-time Group 2 Central champion
- High school team captain as a junior and senior
- Member of the Xcalibur field hockey club for five years
- Participated in varsity lacrosse and basketball
- Member of National Honors Society and Spanish National Honors Society
- Comes from a family of collegiate field hockey players: Mom, Kathy, and Aunt Kelly played at UNC, Aunt Lori played at Northwestern, and sister, Madison, currently plays at Maryland.
Leah Zellner | 5’5” | F
Emmaus, Pa.
Emmaus High School
- Played four years under Sue Butz-Stavin at Emmaus High School
- Registered 51 goals and 18 assists (and counting) as a senior for 110 career goals and 49 career assists
- Three-time Eastern Pennsylvania Conference champion (2015-17)
- Two-time Pennsylvania AAA state champion (2015, 2016)
- First team Eastern Pennsylvania Conference All-Star and Co-MVP in 2017
- Selected to USA Indoor Field Hockey Team in 2016 and 2017
- Gold medalist at U-16 National Club Championship in 2016 and U-19 Shooting Star Showcase with WC Eagles
- Selected to WC Eagles’ China and England Tour Team in 2016
- Member of track and field team in 2015 and 2016
- Four-year honor roll member
