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Field Hockey Inks Six High School Standouts
Stockton, Calif. – The Pacific Tigers field hockey team will welcome Hannah and Molly Bettencourt, Leah Cofer, Kirsten Doting, Kelsey Gulledge and Lindsay Sager to the Tiger family in the fall of 2012. The newcomers signed their National Letter of Intents earlier this week. The new members will look to help solidify a strong roster that finished last season on a high-note with a thrilling victory at the NorPac Tournament. Head coach Linda MacDonald is eager to welcome the young group of Tigers saying, "This is a very exciting recruiting class. All of these players are at the top of their leagues, as well as captain's of their teams. I believe they will immediately raise the competitive level of our team. They are passionate about the sport and can't wait to play at the next level in August."
The New Tigers:
Hannah Bettencourt – Defender - Torrey Pines High School
Hannah comes to the Tigers after a four-year career filled with numerous on and off the field accomplishments. As a senior captain in 2011, Hannah was named First-Team All-Palomar League and First-Team All-North County. She was also honored as the 2011 Torrey Pines HS Field Hockey Most Outstanding Athlete, Second-Team All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and a High School Sports Association Senior All-Star. Hannah also had an outstanding club career while competing in the Asics League and playing for the U19 Futures Elite Region 11. In 2010, she was Second-Team All-Palomar League, leading her team to the league championship and the squad was a CIF-San Diego Section Division I Finalist. As a sophomore, she helped Torrey Pines to a CIF-San Diego Section Semi-Final appearance and was an Avocado League Finalist. While at Torrey Pines, Hannah also competed on the 2010 and 2011 CIF-San Diego Section Division I Lacrosse Championship team.
Academically, Hannah excelled as she was named to the 2011 National Honor Society, the San Diego Tribune All-Academic team from 2009-11 and was a Torrey Pines High School Scholar Athlete from 2009-11.
Molly Bettencourt – Defender - Torrey Pines High School
Molly as like her twin-sister, was an accomplished athlete and student at Torrey Pines High School. As a senior, she was named the to the High School Sports Association Senior All-Star Team. In 2011 she was also a team captain and named the Torrey Pines Field Hockey Most Inspirational Athlete. Molly competed in the Asics League, rallied her team to a second-place finish at the U19 Cal Cup, and was on the U19 Futures Region West team. In 2010, she was Second-Team All-Palomar League, a CIF-San Diego Section Division I Finalist and a Palomar League Champion. As a sophomore she was a CIF-San Diego Section Division I Semi-Finalist and an Avocado League Finalist. Molly also started on the Torrey Pines CIF-San Diego Section Division I Championship lacrosse team. The squad also won the 2011 and 2010 Palomar League.
Personally, Hannah and Molly are the daughters of Ricki and Alan Bettencourt. They are twin sisters.
MacDonald on Hannah and Molly, "They come from a successful program at Torrey Pines, and are fast and aggressive defenders. They read the play well and have great anticipation. I think they will do a great job getting to the ball first and starting the attack. Molly had surgery last summer and was unable to compete last fall. She is rehabbing well and should hit the ground running in August."
Leah Cofer – Midfielder – Glendora High School
Cofer comes to the Tigers as another accomplished Californian student-athlete. In 2011, she was a team captain on an undefeated Sunset League Championship team. She was a two-time First Team All-League Selection and a three-time Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team selection. Cofer also was named to the Orange Country All-Tournament Team and was a candidate for the All-Region and All-American teams.
Academically, Cofer was honored with the All-Academic Athlete Award in 2011.
Macdonald on Cofer, "Leah is a midfielder from Glendora, Calif. Her team was coached to a League Championship by former Pacific standout, Leigh Morrison. She has a good game sense and the confidence to direct her teammates. She is extremely coachable and will do whatever it takes for the team. I expect her to be fit, have great skills and ready to play come this summer."
Kirsten Doting – Defender – Live Oak High School
Doting comes to Pacific after a career filled with athletic and academic accomplishments. She competed on the varsity field hockey, soccer and softball teams for Live Oak from 2008-11. In 2011 she was voted the MVP on the field hockey team and named Senior of the Year by the Blossom Valley League. In 2010, Doting was named First-Team All League and honored as the MVP for her field hockey team. In 2009, she received the Coaches Award for her excellence on the hockey field, and named Blossom Valley League Freshman of the Year. She was also named the Clutch Hitter for the Live Oaks softball squad.
Academically, Doting was on the Honor Roll three times.
MacDonald on Doting, "Kirsten has excellent poise in the back and plays with confidence. She has great vision and can quickly and effectively get the ball up to the attack. Her position requires patience and leadership and Kirsten has both. I believe that her transition from high school to college will be a smooth one.
Kelsey Gulledge – Midfielder/Defender – San Pasqual High School
Gulledge will arrive to Pacific after a distinguished high school athletic and academic career. She was a three-year varsity player that won the Avocado League Championship from 2009-11. As a team-captain in 2011 she was her team's MVP and received numerous honors including: First-Team All-North County, First-Team All-Avocado League and Second-Team All-CIF-San Diego Section. She was also a member of the San Pasqual varsity basketball team in 2010 and 11.
In the classroom, Gulledge was named to the 2010 and 2011 All-Academic Team and is a member of the National Honor Society.
MacDonald on Gulledge, "I believe that Kelsey has the potential to have a great career at Pacific. She has the ability to play anywhere on the field. As a defender she is patient and has excellent timing with her tackles, in the midfield she has vision and strong passing abilities. She also transitions well into the attacking end of the field and is not afraid to shoot."
Lindsay Sager – Forward – Rancho Bernardo High School
Sager comes to the Tigers after a distinguished four years of high school. She was captain of her 2011 field hockey squad, which she contributed six goals and 12 assists. In 2011, she was honored as the MVP of her high school team, named First-Team All Palomar League, and played on the HSSA Senior All-Star Team. Her club team came in second at the 2011 U19 Cal Cup.
Academically, she was named the Rancho Bernardo Student Athlete of the Month in September, a three-time Silver Star award recipient (4.0 GPA) and a Peer Counselor for two years.
MacDonald on Sager, "Lindsay is full of energy and enthusiasm. She will most likely play forward where I am sure she will give defenders fits. She is aggressive, fast and quick. Don't be fooled by her size, she will get the ball and she will score. Lindsay loves hockey and already loves Pacific. I think she will be a positive influence on this program."
