On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Souderton seniors Gianna Radcliffe, Ava Jones and Julia Blair were recognized for committing to play collegiate field hockey.
Julia Blair – Colgate University (Field Hockey)
Major: Physics & Computer Science
Final list of colleges: Colgate, Johns Hopkins
Reasons for choosing Colgate: “I chose Colgate because I liked the field hockey program and the campus.”
Favorite high school sports memory: “My favorite memory was beating CB West in overtime last year.”
Coach Sue Casciato: “At Souderton, we’ve been really lucky - I’ve been blessed with just a really strong middle. You look
at Lauren Kenah, Ang Borisow and Julia’s just the next in line. She’s somebody who can play sideline to sideline, and there were games where she would put us on her back and just willed us to a win. She would not be denied. She’s a person who every time she took the field – whether it was practice or game – was giving 110 percent.
“Julia has a prolific work ethic, and that’s not just field hockey related. At down times during field hockey – if there was a moment, she had her book open on the sideline all the time. She was diligent no matter what endeavor it is, and she’s giving her all.”
About Julia:
Favorite food: Watermelon
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Country
Ava Jones – Syracuse University (Field Hockey)
Major: Exercise Science
Final list of colleges: Syracuse, Ohio State, Boston College
Reasons for choosing Syracuse: “I chose Syracuse because it’s a great blend of academics and athletics, and also, the team was very welcoming.”
Favorite high school sports memory: “My favorite memory was my sophomore year when we beat Garnet Valley in overtime to get into states.”
Coach Sue Casciato: “Ava is going to play defense in college, and she’s a defender for her club team, but her sophomore
and senior year, she was our high scorer. I’m sure she would have been her junior year too if she hadn’t been injured. Ava’s freshman year she had eight or nine goals, and she was a mid. Her sophomore year, she was a center forward, and her senior year, she was a center back. Ninety percent of her goals came on corners. She just had a really uncanny ability to get a stick on the ball on corners in front of the cage.
“Ava’s a person who has played a lot of field hockey, and as a defender, she just knows how to read the field. Some people never develop that ability. She loves playing against tough opponents - they bring out the best in her. She had a great game against Villa Maria. She loves playing against that kind of competition.”
About Ava:
Favorite food: Steak & Crab Legs
Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl
Favorite music: Country
Gianna Radcliffe – Gwynedd Mercy University (Field Hockey)
Major: Nursing
Final list of colleges: Gwynedd Mercy, Barton College, Immaculata
Reasons for choosing Gwynedd Mercy: “I chose Gwynedd because of their nursing program, and I really liked their team environment.”
Favorite high school sports memory: “My favorite memory was beating CB West in overtime last year.”
Coach Sue Casciato: “Gianna wants to be a nurse, and she was going to go to Monto and transfer to Gwynedd Mercy her junior year. When the season was over, I got thinking about it, and that’s a kid who just loves field hockey. So, I contacted
Gwynedd Mercy’s coach, and I said, ‘Do you have any more spots on your roster?’ I didn’t tell Julia I was doing that because I didn’t want her to be disappointed if it didn’t work out. The coach said, ‘Sure, but I’d like to meet her.’
“Gianna had never played field hockey until she was in ninth grade, and her freshman year, she knew nothing. I always tell the story that the second day or practice she came up to me and said, ‘Could you just really quickly show me how to drive?’ Some kids just ask crazy questions to kind of get in your good graces. I said, ‘No one ever taught you how to drive?’ She said, ‘No, yesterday was my first day of hockey.’ She struggled through her freshman year, but the girl can run, and that’s how she caught my eye. Sophomore year when we were in districts, we needed some help in the middle when we were playing some strong teams. She had never played varsity, and when we played CB West, I said, ‘Your job is just to stay on their center back (Lily Cosner).’ She pretty much ran their offense, and I just said, ‘All I want you to do is chase her around the field,’ and she did such a good job.
“She’s been a varsity player since then, and she just loves hockey and wasn’t ready for her career to be over. She’s really excited for this opportunity, and I’m really happy for her.”
About Gianna:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite music: Country
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