Indiana University Athletics
Janney Announces Signing Day Class of 2017
11/9/2016 5:01:00 PM | Field Hockey
Details on the newest members of Indiana Field Hockey
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head coach Amanda Janney revealed Wednesday the first six signings of the freshman class of 2017. Bente Buwalda (Bilthoven, Utrecht, Netherlands), Savannah Bucher (Selinsgrove, Pa.), Claire Dickinson (Louisville, Ky.), Sofia Keen (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Olivia Rice (Mechanicsville, Pa.), and Hanna Zarrilli (Wall, N.J.) have all penned their National Letter of Intent to play for the Hoosiers.
"We are signing a strong incoming class that will bring a variety of positive attributes to our team," Janney said. "We have recruited fast attackers who know how to score, aggressive midfielders who know how to win, and some smart defenders who will add to the depth of our team defense."
The class is the second full recruiting class of Janney's tenure, as she readies for her third season at Indiana next year. The coaching staff believes this group will help lead the way forward, and they share a lot of similarities with the Hoosiers' team culture and identity.
"These recruits have great personal characteristics that will add to the positive culture that our team takes pride in," Janney continued. "They are Captains of their high school teams, leaders from the club teams, and influential leaders in their school communities."
With out further ado, let's take a closer look at the Hoosiers' newest additions:
SAVANNAH BUCHER | M/F
Savannah Bucher is one of several instances of the Hoosiers acquiring a player from a high school shared by a current Hoosier, hailing from sophomore Nora Aucker's hometown of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Savannah has netted 26 goals to date in the last two seasons, and is currently amidst Pennsylvania's state playoffs. She's won letters in three years with head coach Cathy Keiser at Selinsgrove Area High School, currently leading as the team captain.
Savannah is a two-time PHAC All-Star, and won the team's award for the Most Versatile Player. With Selinsgrove, Savannah has won four PHAC conference titles and four District 4 championships. In the offseason, Savannah kept her gameplay at a high level with three varsity seasons of lacrosse.
Keiser also served as Savannah's head coach on her club team, PA Power. She also took part in a championship run with the Field Hockey Life club team at the 2016 National Presidential Tournament in Sarasota, Florida.
BENTE BUWALDA | F
Bente Buwalda becomes the Hoosiers' sixth-ever player from the Netherlands, one of the cornerstones of international field hockey. Bente played her prep career for Frank Legeweg at Montessori Lyceum Herman Jordan, where she won a national championship in 2013. At Herman Jordan, Bente could be counted on for half of the team's goal-scoring production.
"At the club level, Bente took the turf with Hockeyclub SCHC in Bilthoven. She was also a top scorer with her club team. SCHC won the European Champion in 2015 and finished runner-up 2016. She gained valuable experience in her club play, training with former USA Field Hockey head coach Janneke Schopman. When she isn't competing, Bente serves as a coach on one of SCHC's youth teams."
Bente has been around field hockey her entire life. She began competitive play at age six, and she's done everything from playing to officiating and coaching. Her father, Bauke, plays field hockey, as do her two brothers, Hidde and Bink. Her mother, Elise, is an active member of SCHC's disciplinary committee. When she arrives in Bloomington, Bente will pursue a degree from the Kelley School of Business while embarking on her collegiate field hockey career.
CLAIRE DICKINSON | M/F
Claire Dickinson brings another widely versatile player, like Bucher, to this incoming class. Claire played four varsity years and served as captain for coach Amy Elliott at KCD, and in 2016 received the title of Miss Field Hockey, the award given to the most outstanding field hockey player in the state of Kentucky. She's scored 36 goals (12th-KCD history) and served nine assists while playing nearly every field position.
Claire is a KHSAA All-State first team honoree, an All-Star selection on Kentucky's junior and senior teams, and an Apple All-Tournament team member. She received All-Academic recognition from the NFHCA and KCD's highest honor, the KCD Board Award. With the Bearcats, Claire reached the state quarterfinals and semifinals in separate years, along with a runner-up finish in the district championships.
For seven years, Claire suited up for one of the nation's top hockey clubs, IFHCK. They've taken part in the National Indoor Championship, the President's Day Showcase, the National Club Championship, and the National Futures Championship, among others. Claire was the team's co-captain at the National Hockey Festival, and helped IFHCK earn a bronze finish at the Disney Showcase and a pool win at the Shooting Stars Tournament.
SOFIA KEEN | D
Sofia Keen played three varsity seasons for coach Jane Nixon at Ann Arbor Pioneer, the same school as 2015 Indiana graduate Sydney Supica. She's the team captain in her final year, and she's aided Pioneer to three state championships in her career. Sofia garnered Defensive MVP honors in her first two seasons, but she also contributed to the goal effort with eight career goals and eight assists.
The accolades continue for Sofia with her club career, playing for coach Nancy Cox at Pinnacle Field Hockey. Pinnacle won four championships in 2016: the NFHCA Top Recruit Winter Escape, the Regional Club Championship, and the Junior Premier Outdoor League (JPOL). They also participated in the 2016 National Club Championship.
Sofia is the great-granddaughter of former University of Michigan wrestling legend, Cliff Keen. An undefeated 158-pound grappler at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State), Keen took the reigns of Michigan's wrestling team in 1925 and held the position for 45 years until 1970. Keen innovated the sport with the implementation of the headgear used today to protect grapplers from head and ear injuries. He was one of the charter members inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1976.
OLIVIA RICE | D/M
The Hoosiers add a holding midfielder to their incoming class with the addition of Olivia Rice, who played two varsity seasons for Susan Emerick at Cumberland Valley High School. Olivia was voted team captain in her senior season, and earned a spot on the Mid Penn Commonwealth Conference All-Star team. With Cumberland Valley, Olivia took part in three MPCC championship teams, including runs at district and state titles in 2014 and 2015.
Olivia honed her craft at the club level with East Coast Field Hockey, coached by William Gaudette. The club was selected for the East Coast Germany National Training Tour in 2014 before making two JPOL Region 5 Championship games. In 2014, ECFH took the silver medal; the next year, with Olivia as captain, they won the gold medal.
Away from her teams, Olivia has gained a knowledge of the instructional side of the game, coaching her U8 youth team to a second-place in their division last year. Olivia won't be the first in her family to take her athletic talents to the college level: her father, Timothy Rice, played baseball at Clemson University. The Chicago Cubs drafted him in the 1984 draft, and he pitched for four seasons in the minor leagues.
HANNA ZARRILLI | M/D
Hanna Zarrilli is the second player to join Indiana from Wall High School in the past two seasons, alongside current Hoosier freshman Sam Scire. Hanna was a prolific scorer for Wall head coach Nancy Gross, tallying 134 points over 50 goals and 34 assists. For her efforts, she's earned two All-Shore second team honors (2014, 2015) and landed on the Group B First Team as a defender. Wall has won the district championship in each of Hanna's three full seasons, and they finished runner-up in the state finals in 2013 and 2015.
Hanna, like her fellow Wall, New Jersey transplant, played for the Jersey Intensity at the club level. Coached by Kathleen Stefanelli and Nigel Traverso, they won gold medals at the 2014 National Indoor Tournament in Virginia Beach and the 2014 National Field Hockey Festival in Palm Springs. Away from hockey, Hanna participated in swimming and lacrosse at Wall.
"We are signing a strong incoming class that will bring a variety of positive attributes to our team," Janney said. "We have recruited fast attackers who know how to score, aggressive midfielders who know how to win, and some smart defenders who will add to the depth of our team defense."
The class is the second full recruiting class of Janney's tenure, as she readies for her third season at Indiana next year. The coaching staff believes this group will help lead the way forward, and they share a lot of similarities with the Hoosiers' team culture and identity.
"These recruits have great personal characteristics that will add to the positive culture that our team takes pride in," Janney continued. "They are Captains of their high school teams, leaders from the club teams, and influential leaders in their school communities."
With out further ado, let's take a closer look at the Hoosiers' newest additions:
SAVANNAH BUCHER | M/F
Savannah Bucher is one of several instances of the Hoosiers acquiring a player from a high school shared by a current Hoosier, hailing from sophomore Nora Aucker's hometown of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Savannah has netted 26 goals to date in the last two seasons, and is currently amidst Pennsylvania's state playoffs. She's won letters in three years with head coach Cathy Keiser at Selinsgrove Area High School, currently leading as the team captain.
Savannah is a two-time PHAC All-Star, and won the team's award for the Most Versatile Player. With Selinsgrove, Savannah has won four PHAC conference titles and four District 4 championships. In the offseason, Savannah kept her gameplay at a high level with three varsity seasons of lacrosse.
Keiser also served as Savannah's head coach on her club team, PA Power. She also took part in a championship run with the Field Hockey Life club team at the 2016 National Presidential Tournament in Sarasota, Florida.
BENTE BUWALDA | F
Bente Buwalda becomes the Hoosiers' sixth-ever player from the Netherlands, one of the cornerstones of international field hockey. Bente played her prep career for Frank Legeweg at Montessori Lyceum Herman Jordan, where she won a national championship in 2013. At Herman Jordan, Bente could be counted on for half of the team's goal-scoring production.
"At the club level, Bente took the turf with Hockeyclub SCHC in Bilthoven. She was also a top scorer with her club team. SCHC won the European Champion in 2015 and finished runner-up 2016. She gained valuable experience in her club play, training with former USA Field Hockey head coach Janneke Schopman. When she isn't competing, Bente serves as a coach on one of SCHC's youth teams."
Bente has been around field hockey her entire life. She began competitive play at age six, and she's done everything from playing to officiating and coaching. Her father, Bauke, plays field hockey, as do her two brothers, Hidde and Bink. Her mother, Elise, is an active member of SCHC's disciplinary committee. When she arrives in Bloomington, Bente will pursue a degree from the Kelley School of Business while embarking on her collegiate field hockey career.
CLAIRE DICKINSON | M/F
Claire Dickinson brings another widely versatile player, like Bucher, to this incoming class. Claire played four varsity years and served as captain for coach Amy Elliott at KCD, and in 2016 received the title of Miss Field Hockey, the award given to the most outstanding field hockey player in the state of Kentucky. She's scored 36 goals (12th-KCD history) and served nine assists while playing nearly every field position.
Claire is a KHSAA All-State first team honoree, an All-Star selection on Kentucky's junior and senior teams, and an Apple All-Tournament team member. She received All-Academic recognition from the NFHCA and KCD's highest honor, the KCD Board Award. With the Bearcats, Claire reached the state quarterfinals and semifinals in separate years, along with a runner-up finish in the district championships.
For seven years, Claire suited up for one of the nation's top hockey clubs, IFHCK. They've taken part in the National Indoor Championship, the President's Day Showcase, the National Club Championship, and the National Futures Championship, among others. Claire was the team's co-captain at the National Hockey Festival, and helped IFHCK earn a bronze finish at the Disney Showcase and a pool win at the Shooting Stars Tournament.
SOFIA KEEN | D
Sofia Keen played three varsity seasons for coach Jane Nixon at Ann Arbor Pioneer, the same school as 2015 Indiana graduate Sydney Supica. She's the team captain in her final year, and she's aided Pioneer to three state championships in her career. Sofia garnered Defensive MVP honors in her first two seasons, but she also contributed to the goal effort with eight career goals and eight assists.
The accolades continue for Sofia with her club career, playing for coach Nancy Cox at Pinnacle Field Hockey. Pinnacle won four championships in 2016: the NFHCA Top Recruit Winter Escape, the Regional Club Championship, and the Junior Premier Outdoor League (JPOL). They also participated in the 2016 National Club Championship.
Sofia is the great-granddaughter of former University of Michigan wrestling legend, Cliff Keen. An undefeated 158-pound grappler at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State), Keen took the reigns of Michigan's wrestling team in 1925 and held the position for 45 years until 1970. Keen innovated the sport with the implementation of the headgear used today to protect grapplers from head and ear injuries. He was one of the charter members inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1976.
OLIVIA RICE | D/M
The Hoosiers add a holding midfielder to their incoming class with the addition of Olivia Rice, who played two varsity seasons for Susan Emerick at Cumberland Valley High School. Olivia was voted team captain in her senior season, and earned a spot on the Mid Penn Commonwealth Conference All-Star team. With Cumberland Valley, Olivia took part in three MPCC championship teams, including runs at district and state titles in 2014 and 2015.
Olivia honed her craft at the club level with East Coast Field Hockey, coached by William Gaudette. The club was selected for the East Coast Germany National Training Tour in 2014 before making two JPOL Region 5 Championship games. In 2014, ECFH took the silver medal; the next year, with Olivia as captain, they won the gold medal.
Away from her teams, Olivia has gained a knowledge of the instructional side of the game, coaching her U8 youth team to a second-place in their division last year. Olivia won't be the first in her family to take her athletic talents to the college level: her father, Timothy Rice, played baseball at Clemson University. The Chicago Cubs drafted him in the 1984 draft, and he pitched for four seasons in the minor leagues.
HANNA ZARRILLI | M/D
Hanna Zarrilli is the second player to join Indiana from Wall High School in the past two seasons, alongside current Hoosier freshman Sam Scire. Hanna was a prolific scorer for Wall head coach Nancy Gross, tallying 134 points over 50 goals and 34 assists. For her efforts, she's earned two All-Shore second team honors (2014, 2015) and landed on the Group B First Team as a defender. Wall has won the district championship in each of Hanna's three full seasons, and they finished runner-up in the state finals in 2013 and 2015.
Hanna, like her fellow Wall, New Jersey transplant, played for the Jersey Intensity at the club level. Coached by Kathleen Stefanelli and Nigel Traverso, they won gold medals at the 2014 National Indoor Tournament in Virginia Beach and the 2014 National Field Hockey Festival in Palm Springs. Away from hockey, Hanna participated in swimming and lacrosse at Wall.
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Defender
/ Field HockeyFB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16