On Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, four Souderton seniors were recognized at a special news conference for signing letters of intent to play collegiate lacrosse. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/022515_signings_12_kc#l_kc2_9033_59_16_12
Natalie Bulgier – Georgetown University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided but interested in Biological Science
Final list of colleges: Georgetown, U.S. Naval Academy, University of Southern California, Boston University, Duke, Stanford
Reasons for choosing Georgetown: “I chose Georgetown because of the competitive atmosphere it had to offer as a student-athlete in the classroom as well as on the field. I found a sense of home in the coaching staff, the campus was compact in an urban area, and I liked the atmosphere and the balance of everything going to college had to offer.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I’ve only ever played field hockey and lacrosse, but lacrosse was my thing from the start. I fell in love with it, and I could do lacrosse 24/7 without having a coach push me, and I think that passion was really important in taking me to the next level. My sisters were huge advocates as far as pushing me to excel, especially my sister Tori only being a year older. With the things she accomplished and the sibling rivalry, I wanted to accomplish the same things as her and be just as competitive as she was. Basically, there’s a little piece of me that was part of every single one of my siblings. I was really lucky and blessed to grow up in a family of six. They all shaped me into who I am today. If it wasn’t for the experiences I had and the way my siblings pushed me, I wouldn’t be here.”
My inspiration to be a college athlete: “My brother is my inspiration. He never took life too seriously, and he always knew the right thing to do in any situation. Growing up, he helped me to develop the necessary skills to be a good athlete. I love doing what I do, and I definitely owe that to the time he had invested in me. It’s a way that I can share him with the world.”
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory would be last summer after a three-day tryout camp at Stevenson University in Maryland – a little over 30 girls were left after the last session, and a training roster for the best team in the world was about to be announced. My favorite memory would be hearing the number 32 being called in that conference room. I have never felt so emotional and committed to achieving anything in my entire life.”
Coach Kelly Kelly says: “Natalie has been a star on the field from the minute I got this coaching job. She shines out there. She’s definitely a leader by her play, and she’s had a great couple of years in terms of club ball and school ball. She is on the U19 National Team, which is an incredible feat. Her skill level and having that kind of leadership was invaluable for our team. Nat is one of those players that is extremely unselfish. She has an amazing shot – she has one of the best shots I’ve ever seen, but she made the U.S. team as a defender. That’s how unselfish she is. Nat would rather have the assist than the goal. She just wants to be there with her team.”
About Natalie:
Favorite food: Anything Mexican
Favorite movie: Lone Survivor
Favorite music: Alternative
Amber Lambeth – Temple University (Lacrosse)
Major: Kinesiology
Final list of colleges: Temple, Duquesne, Drexel, Princeton
Reasons for choosing Temple: “I chose Temple because I love the city of Philadelphia, and I saw so many great opportunities for me there.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “When I first asked my mom in fourth grade if I could play lacrosse, she didn’t even know what it was, but one of her friends played when she was in high school, so she asked if I could borrow the equipment she had. I was really lucky to get involved with it and have my mom support me through the whole thing.
“When I first started, Sherry Russell and Nancy Offner had an amazing program called SAGLA, which is the community league, and they started PA Pride, which is the club team I played for. That took me to so many places, I was able to be looked at by college coaches, and I knew from the moment I started I wanted to play Division One lacrosse. I’ve been very blessed.”
My inspiration to be a college athlete: “My inspiration is my great coaches: Nancy Offner, Sherry Russell, Jamie Connahan and Coach Kelly.”
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was when we beat North Penn High School 17-7 to win our Suburban One League conference title in 2014.”
Coach Kelly Kelly says: “Amber is a great kid. She’s high energy, she’s a pure athlete. She’s strength and power all the way. She’s definitely a kid that is after my own heart because she’s going to Temple, which is my alma mater. I’m very, very excited to see what Amber is going to do at the Division I level. Amber will do a very nice job fitting in at Temple with the skill set she has – her aggressiveness is made for the city ball. I think she’s going to do great things there. This past season I saw Amber step up as a leader and I think that it's a role that fits her nicely.”
About Amber:
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite movie: Titanic
Favorite music: Country
Brittany Roynan – Lock Haven University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Reasons for choosing Lock Haven: “Lock Haven was my only choice because I like how relaxed and laid back the campus feels. This is where I really wanted to play lacrosse.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “What made me decide to play lacrosse in college was pretty much my coaches and my friends really pushed me and gave me confidence to say that I could get into college and I could play.”
My inspiration to be a college athlete: “My inspiration has always come from everyone that has given me the confidence that I needed and those who have ever believed in me.”
Coach Kelly Kelly says: “Brittany was our workhorse on the field. She goes from offense to defense in a flash, and she’s one of the fastest players in the Suburban One. She is someone who is so strong on the draw and takes the ball with such confidence down the field into the attack. She’s been a silent leader, and this year she challenged herself in many different ways to make herself a stronger person and player.”
About Brittany:
Favorite food: Mac ‘N Cheese
Favorite movie: Divergent
Favorite music: All
Kyra Shank – Shippensburg University (Lacrosse)
Major: Biology with a Pre-Physical Therapy focus
Final list of colleges: Shippensburg, West Chester, East Stroudsburg
Reasons for choosing Shippensburg: “I chose Shippensburg because I loved the campus and I have family nearby. Attending there will provide me the best learning environment along with the very involved and supportive coaching staff of the women’s lacrosse team.”
What was the progression that led you to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I started to play lacrosse a lot later than most people. I only started playing the sport in seventh grade, and I didn’t begin playing club until after freshman year. I also played with Amber (Lambeth) and Brit (Roynan) on PA Pride under coach Jaime Connahan, who was a great influence to all of us. When that opportunity was presented to me during club showcases where multiple colleges were watching us play, Shippensburg was one of the first schools to reach out to me in a more personal way, and that’s what really drove me throughout my years of high school.”
My inspiration to be a college athlete: “My grandfather (Dennis Shank) and his brother (Scott Shank) who were very successful college athletes. Also, my cousin Taylor Dachowski (2013 Pennridge alumnus) who is currently playing lacrosse for St. Joseph’s University Hawks.”
Favorite memory: “Beating North Penn 17-7 last year to become the Suburban One champions.”
Coach Kelly Kelly says: “Kyra is one of the hardest workers out there – she’s a little spitfire. She’s all over the place, she’s feisty, and she gets underneath on the attack and sneaks right through the defenders. Kyra is just positive energy for the attack. She helps pick other players up when they are getting frustrated. She cares about each on of her players on the field and is going to do great things at Ship next season.”
About Kyra:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: Divergent
Favorite music: Old school rap
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