On Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, Quakertown seniors Julia Ely, Rylee Lawler and Melanie Olivieri were recognized for committing to continue their field hockey careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Julia Ely – Arcadia University (Field Hockey)
Major: Health Care Administration
Final list of colleges: Arcadia, Wilkes, Scranton, Cedar Crest
Reasons for choosing Arcadia: “I chose Arcadia because I liked the team, and I’m really connected to the girls. I also liked the campus a lot, and they have a good program for my major.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about it the spring of last year because I went to a showcase in Virginia with my club team. I got a lot of interest from colleges, and I started really thinking about it. I worked hard during my senior year to make sure I got coaches to look at me.”
Coach Diane Molinaro says: “I think something clicked with Julia her junior year. Something sparked her to just start believing in herself, and that was a turning point in her play and the reason why she’s going to Arcadia. She started believing that anything is possible. She was an impact player for us this year, and in spite of being moved to midfield, she still scored four goals and was an attack threat. Julie was third team all-league this year and also received the Panther Pride Award.”
About Julia:
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite movie: Just Go With It
Favorite music: Pop
Rylee Lawler – Alvernia University (Field Hockey)
Major: Pre-med
Final list of colleges: Alvernia, Lock Haven, DeSales
Reasons for choosing Alvernia: “I liked how small it was – it’s not too overwhelming.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “It was really hard not being able to play last year, and watching my friends play my position was kind of hard for me to watch. I was definitely thinking about (playing in college) before I was hurt, but it kind of confirmed while I was hurt – I was longing to play the sport.”
Coach Diane Molinaro says: “I really appreciate the leadership the seniors brought to the team, and in Rylee’s case, I think it was the hardest year for her because she was coming off an ACL injury and couldn’t play. The mental toughness, the ability to overcome obstacles has been one of her strengths, and I think it really helped pull her through this year because she’s doing really well with her club team and is back at full strength. I think Alvernia is really, really excited, and she’s going to make a big impact there.
“In addition to overcoming that adversity, she was a two-time all-academic, the 2014 Rookie of the Year, the 2015 Coach’s Award and the 2016 Spirit Award because even though she couldn’t play, she was there at every game and practice, helping the goalies, keeping stats and keeping the team motivated. During her junior year, she had over a 75 percent save rate, and for a goalie, that’s pretty phenomenal.”
About Rylee:
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite movie: Aladdin
Favorite music: The 1975
Melanie Olivieri – DeSales University (Field Hockey)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: DeSales, Arcadia
Reasons for choosing DeSales: “I chose DeSales because of the size, and I really liked the coach and the team.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “I was thinking about it my junior year, but I knew I wanted to play this year. I enjoyed the sport and didn’t want to stop playing.”
Coach Diane Molinaro says: “I look at Mel as the little train that could. No matter how difficult the training was, the competition was, she was always out there giving her best and trying her hardest and never giving up. She was a pillar on defense for us and really stood (out) in a leadership role. We moved her around a little bit to find the right fit for her, but we found the right fit, and she was a huge impact as far as stopping the attacking threat of the other team and transitioning quickly on our attack to make a lot of threatening circle penetrations and goals. That was a great accomplishment. She was a 2014 Coach’s Award, 2015 Panther Pride and third team all-league. This year she was first team all-league and our team MVP. She was also a two-time academic All-American player.”
About Melanie:
Favorite food: Key Lime Pie
Favorite movie: Deadpool
Favorite music: Florida Georgia Line
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