On May 23, 2019, Neshaminy High School seniors from the girls’ soccer and basketball teams were recognized for committing to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. (Photos provided courtesy of Neshaminy basketball/soccer)
Neshaminy High School is proud of these senior girls as they each contributed to exciting senior seasons and memorable careers in their respective sports. The accomplishments obtained by each of these young women, represents the commitment, dedication and tradition that exemplify Neshaminy athletics. Congratulations to Riley Spingler and Michaela Boyd who are pursing collegiate soccer and Brooke Mullin, Meghan Ansel and Allison Harvey who are pursing collegiate basketball.
Riley Spingler – Bloomsburg University (Soccer)
Major: Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology
Final list of colleges: Bloomsburg University, East Stroudsburg University, McDaniels College and Misercordia University
Reasons for selecting Bloomsburg: “I love the location and the social environment. I sat in on a couple classes for Criminal Justice and liked the professors. The soccer coach, Coach Haney, was very open and 
honest. He was a goalkeeper when he played, and I love the fact that he understands and appreciates the position. I really like his main principle that everyone gets the opportunity to compete to start. Nothing is a given.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I have been playing soccer since I was five years old. I have always enjoyed playing sports and have played many throughout the years. I thought about pursuing others, but soccer was the sport that I was passionate about and the one I chose to focus on. I started thinking about college seriously in my freshman year of high school. The recruiting process started my sophomore year and I was lucky enough to verbally commit March of my junior year.”
Coach Renny Papendick says: “Riley was a leader from the first day I met her at Neshaminy, and it was a pleasure coaching her this last season. As a goalkeeper and captain, she was our field general and kept us organized defensively, while consistently making big saves in crucial moments. She is a tireless worker and a great teammate, leading on and off the pitch. Riley was an integral part of our success during her four-year career at Neshaminy, and she will excel at the next level and in anything she does in life.”
About Riley:
Favorite food: Seafood
Favorite movie: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Favorite music: Pop Music
Michaela Boyd – Palm Beach Atlantic University (Soccer)
Major: Secondary Education and English (double major)
Final list of colleges: Palm Beach Atlantic University, Azusa Pacific University
Reasons for selecting Palm Beach Atlantic: “Location, location, location. I love the location and it is a ‘little’ closer than California, but also I love PBA’s soccer program, the coach and the competition in the 
conference. Also, I got an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
What was the progression that led you to playing soccer at the collegiate level? “I debated between running track and playing soccer in college for a while. During sophomore year, I saw my passion for soccer increase a lot, and I knew that’s what I wanted to pursue in college. I had heard about Palm Beach Atlantic because my brother visited that school, and I started looking at it and the soccer program there. I reached out to the coach in December of my sophomore year asking about an ID camp. I went to my first ID camp there in March of that year and again that summer, and by August I received a verbal offer which I accepted and then signed the NLI this past November. So it has been a long time coming and I’m really excited.”
Coach Renny Papendick says: “Michaela is a tenacious player with next level athleticism. Having Michaela lead from training camp and become one of our best players was critical to our success last season. We made her one of our captains last season and she was a huge part of our successful season. She has all the tools to excel at the next level, and I look forward to see what the future holds for her.”
Favorite food: Crab Legs
Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing
Favorite music: R&B - Khalid
Brooke Mullin - Villanova University (Basketball)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Villanova and Bucknell University
Reasons for selecting Villanova: “The campus is beautiful, the academics and athletics are first class and 
it is close to home.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I always knew I wanted to compete at the collegiate level. I just was not sure what sport. During my sophomore year, I decided to concentrate on basketball. Playing AAU exposed to me to a variety of coaches.”
Coach Joe Lally says: “Brooke did so much for our team – from blocking shots, defending, rebounding and being able to guard the other team’s best player to taking on the scoring load, being the focal point and also being able to adjust her game and draw attention and being able to kick to her teammates. That was kind of difficult because the reality was we wanted her to shoot more than she was. I’m really proud of the player and person Brooke has become. She’s really grown over four years, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for her at Villanova. Both Brooke and Allie (Harvey) scored a thousand points, and both were big time parts of three SOL National championships, two Elite Eights and the Final Four in the state.”
About Brooke:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Hangover
Favorite music: Rap Music
Meghan Ansel – Moravian College (Basketball)
Major: Speech Pathology
Final list of colleges: Moravian, Chestnut Hill and Penn State
Reasons for choosing Moravian: “I chose Moravian because of the great program for my intended major, 
the location and the athletics. I really connected with the team and coaches every time I visited.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in basketball at the collegiate level? “Ever since I started playing AAU Basketball in fourth grade, I knew I wanted to compete in college. The spring/summer before my junior year is when most college coaches who showed interest in me began emailing my coach Maria Morano. Coach Morano and my parents really guided me through the entire process. When I first met Coach Spirk in person, that is when I knew I wanted to play for her. She knows and loves everything about the game and showed me that the team to her was family. Coach Spirk showed a lot of confidence in me my abilities and understands the type of player I am. I am beyond excited to see where the next four years take me.”
Coach Joe Lally says: “Meghan was a big contributor off the bench during four of the most successful years in Neshaminy basketball history. Because of her physicality, she could bang with people, and I could play her in a number of different positions. We wish her the best of luck at Moravian.”
About Meghan:
Favorite food: French Fries
Favorite movie: Mama Mia
Favorite music: Country Music
Allison Harvey – Delaware Valley University (Basketball)
Major: Psychology
Final list of colleges: Delaware Valley University and Arcadia University
Reasons for selecting college: “I really liked their campus and I really liked the coach of the team.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in basketball at the collegiate level? “I’ve always known I wanted to play basketball for as long as I could. The DelVal head coach saw me play in a pre-season game and proceeded to contact me.”
Coach Joe Lally says: “The one thing about Allie that will probably go unrecognized was the fact that she defended some of the bigger players over her career and played people in the post. She’s a very smart player, and she’s a team-first kid for sure. She evolved nicely, especially on the defensive end. There’s no doubt she was a phenomenal outside shooter. She was a great free throw shooter. Being an outside shooter, the nicest thing I can say about her is she never got caught up on that and just jacked up shots to jack them up. She took shots within our system, which is a credit to her because a lot of times she could have gotten more shots off.”
About Allison:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club
Favorite music: Pop Music
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