On Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, Neshaminy seniors Amanda Blum, Marlena Koellner, Maria Palmieri and Christen Pennington were recognized for committing to play field hockey at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
“All four of them were great leaders of the team,” said coach Jamie Pinto. “At our last game when we lost, they were all so heartbroken, and that’s what made them such great leaders – they cared so much about the team, they worked so hard for the team, and when we lost it hit them – that’s the end of their Neshaminy career, which meant so much to them, and they meant to much to the program.
“They all stepped up last year, and we knew when any of them had the ball something good was going to come of it. We’ll really miss them because they did a great job. I know they’ll all be able to step up and get playing time in college.”
Amanda Blum – Quinnipiac University (Field Hockey)
Final list of colleges: Quinnipiac, Delaware
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: “I chose Quinnipiac because of the academic program. I want to be a physical therapist, and they have a doctorate program. If I keep a 3.2 GPA, I can go right into grad school without applying. “
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “My sister played at East Stroudsburg, and she went to the NCAA National Championship for Division II, and they ended up winning it her senior year. I love field hockey, and I knew I wanted to play in college. She was my inspiration, and she paved the way for me.”
Coach Jamie Pinto says: “Amanda played in the back for us. She was very versatile – she could play mid or back, but we needed her in the back last year. She has very good stickwork, which we could use in the back. She could carry it down the field if we needed her to. She had great vision from the back – she could hit the midfield, she could carry it, she could find the open player up top. She was a big asset in the back.”
About Amanda:
Favorite food: Fettuccini Alfredo
Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite music: Alternative
Marlena Koellner – Sacred Heart University (Field Hockey)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Sacred Heart, Louisville
Reasons for choosing Sacred Heart: “I chose Sacred Heart because it was a better fit for me. The business program is exactly what I was looking for, and the level of hockey was also a perfect fit for me. Also, I fell in love with the campus the very first time I visited.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I always knew I wanted to play in college. I started playing field hockey around the age of four, and I loved it. I gave up my other sports.
“I had some trouble deciding whether I wanted to play Division One, Two or Three, but I decided my junior year that I wanted to play Division One.”
Coach Jamie Pinto says: “Marlena played center mid, and she was our hustler – she was always going 100 miles an hour up and down the field. She always was working hard. Her skill work was great in the center of the field, and her defense was great. If she lost the ball, she was going to work until she got that ball back.”
About Marlena:
Favorite food: Mac ‘N Cheese
Favorite movie: High School Musical
Favorite music: Rap
Maria Palmieri – Drexel University (Field Hockey)
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Final list of colleges: Drexel, Johns Hopkins, Penn
Reasons for choosing Drexel: “Drexel has the best of both worlds. It has an excellent biomedical engineering program and a great field hockey program, and when I went for a visit, it felt like a good fit.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I started playing field hockey in seventh grade just for fun. As I started high school, it became a bigger part of my life as I started club field hockey for Mystx. As high school progressed, I really pushed myself to be able to play at a Division One level, and Drexel seemed like a perfect fit.”
Coach Jamie Pinto says: “Maria played left mid for us, and that’s a tough position to play. She did a great job, and she worked hard. She had a great drive, she could see the field so well and she came up big when we needed her. If we needed that big shot or that big ball across the field, Maria was our go-to. She just worked very hard throughout the whole season.”
Christen Pennington – Villanova University (Field Hockey)
Major: Undecided but considering biology
Final list of colleges: Villanova, Penn, Lafayette
Reasons for choosing Villanova: “It was just the combination of academic and athletics because it had such a strong reputation in both aspects. I just really felt at home when I visited the campus and visited with the team. I also liked its close proximity to home.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I always knew from a very young age that I wanted to play in college. It was always in the back of my mind. Once I started playing Mystx, it became more of a reality for me because there were so many more opportunities to play.”
Coach Jamie Pinto says: “Christen played forward for us, which I know wasn’t in her comfort zone, but she knew the team needed her to step up there. She just stepped up as a leader and a captain in that forward position. I know she wasn’t always super comfortable, but she did it because we needed her there. She just has a great work ethic, and she’ll do whatever it takes for the team. She has a great personality. I’ve known her since she was little, so just watching her grow up has been great. Being able to coach her was a great experience.”
About Christen:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: Pitch Perfect
Favorite music: Pop
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