Princeton Field Hockey Introduces The Class of 2021

PRINCETON, N.J. – After reaching the Final Four for the seventh time in program history, the Princeton Field Hockey team welcomes the Class of 2021.

"We are very excited with this year's group of freshmen," said head coach Carla Tagliente. "They could be one of the strongest and deepest recruiting classes in recent memory as they bring a wealth of representative and international experience to the table while adding tremendous depth to what is an extremely young group. Seven of our starters last year in the Final Four were underclassmen so we were already excited about the potential of the returners. Add in these six freshmen and the return of U-19 USA player, 2013 Ivy League Rookie of the Year, and 2013 and 2014 All-Ivy player Annabeth Donovan Davis and the expectations for 2017 are very high."

Tagliente discussed the Class of 2021 further…

"Grace Brightbill is an accomplished goalkeeper who will come in and provide some much- needed depth to the position after Grace Baylis went through the 2016 season as our only goalkeeper," mentioned the second-year head coach. "The competitive nature of both players will accelerate their development throughout the year and we are excited to see just how good they can be. All six field players have played at the highest levels domestically whether competing for top clubs here in the USA, at USAFH junior national team training centers, or playing in the women's Bundesliga in Germany. Add in over 100 caps of international experience across Europe and the USA and we are delighted to welcome in the class of 2021 and see how far they can take Princeton Field Hockey over the next four years."

Grace Brightbill

High School: Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
Club: Washington Wolves
Position: Goalkeeper
High School Honors: Washington Post All-Met 1st Team … Four-year varsity starter at high school … Captain during senior year for club and high school teams.
Club/National Experience: U-17 Junior National Squad member in 2015-16 … STX Select U-19 Tournament participant in 2016 … Won the gold medal at the 2016 NFC with team Sochi (Region 8)
Personal: Daughter of Ruth and Tim Brightbill … Has two sisters, Maddie and Charlotte.

Why did you choose Princeton?
I chose Princeton for its balance of rigorous academics and athletics, its central location, and the feeling of its campus life. Princeton will challenge me and give me a supportive community that will help me learn and play to my best ability.

What is your intended major?
I plan to either major at the Woodrow Wilson School or to follow a pre-med track.

Which 2017 fixture are you most looking forward to?
I look forward to our Maryland game because I have practiced at UMD for the past four years with my club team—it will be like a home game for me!

Where should we go on our next international tour?
Australia

You get free VIP tickets to any event in the world, where do you go?
I would definitely go to a Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau field. Go Pack go!

Any pre-game routines/rituals/superstitions?
Whenever I get into the goal at the start of a game, I tap the crossbar and backboard of the cage with my stick—this came from me testing out the stability of the cages when I was a younger goalie, but has since just become a habit.

What excites you most about your freshman year at Princeton?
The upcoming field hockey season excites me the most—I can't wait to consistently play at such a high level with this talented group of players.

Margaret Lynch

High School: Mount St Joseph
Club: Mystx + Princeton FHC
Position: Midfield/Forward
High School Honors: PA All-State first team and Academy League All-Star during junior and senior years … Was All-State honorable mention as a sophomore.
Club and National Experience: Played in the National Futures Championship beginning in 2013 … NFC Stars and Stripes – STX Select 2016 … AAU Junior Olympics 2014
Personal: Daughter of Mary Rose and Dennis Lynch … Has two sisters, Molly and Grace, and a brother, Gordon.

Why did you choose Princeton?
Princeton has been my dream school since my first Princeton field hockey camp in middle school. The combination of a beautiful campus, excellent academics, and a great field hockey program made Princeton an easy choice!

What is your intended major?
Ideally, I will find a way to combine my interests in science and history.

Which 2017 fixture are you most looking forward to?
Delaware

Where should we go on our next international tour?
Australia (Stop in Hawaii on the way)

You get free VIP tickets to any event in the world, where do you go?
2020 Olympics

Any pre-game routines/rituals/superstitions?
I always put my right shin guard on before my left. I don't know why.

What excites you most about your freshman year at Princeton?
Meeting new people, growing as a field hockey player, and exploring my interests.

MaryKate Neff

High School: Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
Club: WC Eagles / Princeton FHC
Position: Defender
High School Honors: First team National All-American and All-Region PA in 2016 … Three-time first team All-Main Line (2014-16) … Twice was first team All-Delco (2015-16) … First team All-Interac
Club/National Experience: Played for the U.S U-19 and U-17 national teams … AAU Junior Olympics
Personal: Daughter of Kathleen and Paul Neff … Has two brothers, Ryan and Keenan, who both attend Boston College.

Why did you choose Princeton?
I chose Princeton because of its tradition of excellence and the countless opportunities that it will present.

What is your intended major?
Neuroscience/ Biomedical Engineering

Which 2017 fixture are you most looking forward to?
I am most excited to play UNC in my first collegiate field hockey game.

Where should we go on our next international tour?
Does Bali have a field hockey team?

You get free VIP tickets to any event in the world, where do you go?
Courtside seats to the Final Four of March Madness

Any pre-game routines/rituals/superstitions?
Pre-wrap around my shin-guards and listening to my music (I've been told my playlist is quite good).

What excites you most about your freshman year at Princeton?
I'm excited to experience the diverse culture and to be challenged both on and off the field. I am also looking forward to getting to know my teammates.

Clara Roth

High School: Hebel-Gymnasium Schwetzingen (Germany)
Club: Mannheimer Hockey Club
Position: Midfield
Club and National Experience: Silver Medal at the 2016 European Championship with the U-18 German National Team … Three-time German Indoor Champion (2015-17) … Third place finish at the 2016 German Championship … Squad was the runner-up at the 2015 German Championship.
Personal: Daughter of Denise and Juergen Roth … Has a sister, Lilly, who's studying at the University of Tuebingen.

Why did you choose Princeton?
I have always wanted to attend an American university on the East Coast. I mainly chose Princeton because of the incredibly high level of education combined with the possibility to play in a great field hockey team.

What is your intended major?
Architecture

Which 2017 fixture are you most looking forward to?
NCAA Final Four

Where should we go on our next international tour?
Australia

You get free VIP tickets to any event in the world, where do you go?
Super Bowl, New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks

Any pre-game routines/rituals/superstitions?
Specific order of exercises during the warm-up

What excites you most about your freshman year at Princeton?
To meet up with my new team

Julianna Tornetta

High School: The Agnes Irwin School
Club: Princeton Field Hockey Club
Position: Center, Midfield
High School Honors: NFHCA All-American first team in 2016 … 2015 Philadelphia Inquirer Player of the Year … First team All-Delco, All-Main Line, InterAC every season of her career (2013-16).
Club/National Experience: Played in USA National Team camps from 2012-17 … Member of the U-21, U-19, U-17 national squads … AAU Junior Olympics and USA Futures Elite 2012-15
Personal: Daughter of Sherry and Paul Tornetta … Has a two sisters, Olivia and Sophia … Sophia is a two-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region player at Princeton and was the 2015 Ivy League Rookie of the Year … Has a brother, Andrew

Why did you choose Princeton?
I absolutely loved the campus and the feeling I got walking around it. The team and coaching staff were so friendly and welcoming as well. Being able to play with my sister for a few years really made Princeton that much more of a perfect option.

What is your intended major?
I plan on studying economics and foreign affair.

Where should we go on our next international tour?
Australia

You get free VIP tickets to any event in the world, where do you go?
Either a massive music festival or a blockbuster movie premiere/party

Any pre-game routines/rituals/superstitions?
I always have to wear these white pearl earrings I own. I only wear gray knee-high socks as rash guards and only ever use black hair ties. I always have to listen to techno/pump-up music before I start warming up and I always have to wear a glove on my left hand when I play.

What excites you most about your freshman year at Princeton?
There are so many possibilities that are awaiting us as freshmen. Whether it's a successful season, pushing the limits of our academic capabilities, and especially meeting new people and establishing new relationships, I really can't wait to get started on this whole new chapter of my life!

Emma Street

High School: International School of Düsseldorf, Germany
Club: Düsseldorfer Hockey Club
Position: Striker
Club/National Experience: Played for the U-14, U-16 and U-19 West Germany team and the first Women Düsseldorfer Hockey Club
Personal: Daughter of Csilla and Guy Street … Has two brothers, Edward and Richard.

Why did you choose Princeton?
Apart from uniquely offering both an excellent academic as well as athletic program, from the moment I visited campus the people I was surrounded by in Princeton have been open and warm. I am very excited and honored to become a part of the Tiger family.

What is your intended major?
Undecided though I am interested in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs as well as pursuing a certificate in Theatre or Linguistics.

Which 2017 fixture are you most looking forward to?
Apart from obviously looking forward to a possible NCAA tournament, I look forward to the game against Harvard where we can hopefully set straight last year's defeat.

Where should we go on our next international tour?
I would be excited to go most anywhere but as I am currently studying Spanish, so Argentina would be my top choice.

You get free VIP tickets to any event in the world, where do you go?
2020 Tokyo Olympics!

Any pre-game routines/rituals/superstitions?
Nothing but getting the team and myself motivated.

What excites you most about your freshman year at Princeton?
The people! I am looking forward to meeting many new faces. The campus is so diverse in backgrounds; it's going to be anything but boring.

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