On Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, Central Bucks South seniors Julia Cooper, Erin Smith, Kailey Sarrasin and Anna Shirley were recognized for committing to play field hockey at the collegiate level. To view photos of the signing event, please click on the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p126190978
Julia Cooper – East Stroudsburg University (Field Hockey)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: East Stroudsburg, Bryant, Ursinus, Davidson, Lock Haven, Franklin & Marshall
Reasons for choosing East Stroudsburg: “It has a really good field hockey program – they’re nationally ranked, and I was drawn to that. They also have a wide variety of majors, which was
important to me because I don’t know what I want to do. I also liked the campus.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “My whole life I’ve actually played soccer, and I played both soccer and field hockey in middle school. When it came to high school, I decided I wanted to stick with field hockey instead, so I joined Mayhem, which is my club team, and then I knew from there I wanted to play in college because I loved it so much.”
Coach Pat Toner says: “Julia Cooper has a fantastic drive. Her stickwork is excellent – she works very hard at it. She also is a very good leader. She is very aware of what’s going on on the field. There were several times – one in particular - we were playing Downingtown West where Julia saved us from a breakaway. I don’t know how she got from point A to point B as fast as she did, but she saved us in an overtime game. There have been quite a few times like that where Julia just has an awareness of the field that is above and beyond what most high school kids have. Julia will be sorely missed. She’s a very good player and a great leader.”
About Julia:
Favorite food: Potatoes
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite artist: One Direction
Kailey Sarrison – Lebanon Valley College (Field Hockey)
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: Lebanon Valley, Misericordia
Reasons for choosing Lebanon Valley: “Just the environment and the people there. It was a better choice program-wise as well, and the team is so welcoming.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “I’ve always known I wanted to play since I was younger. It’s just more so how I needed to get there. With the help of my coaches and friends, it was just an easy choice that I knew I wanted to play in college.”
Coach Pat Toner says: “Kailey is one of the most enthusiastic players on our team. She works very hard during the season and in the offseason. She was always willing to do anything she was asked, and she always went out of her way to make sure the younger kids on our team felt comfortable. She’s got good speed and a very hard shot on goal, and we’re pleased she’s going to continue her career at Lebanon Valley.”
About Kailey:
Favorite food: My mom’s buffalo chicken dip
Favorite TV show: Friends
Favorite music: Country
Anna Shirley – Villanova University (Field Hockey)
Major: Mathematics
Final list of colleges: Villanova, Ursinus
Reasons for choosing Villanova: “Villanova has always been my top choice. I loved the coaches, I loved the campus, and I love everything the team stands for.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “I’ve always played hockey for as long as I can remember. I started playing in first grade, and during high school is when I definitely started realizing I wanted to continue playing in college because I didn’t want to give it up.”
Coach Pat Toner says: “Anna Shirley is one of the smartest players I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. She is the kind of person that would do anything you ask her to do. She’s very approachable, very easygoing. The kids really liked her, she’s a great leader, a great person from a great family. She has very good vision on the field, she has good stickwork and skills. She’s been a varsity starter since her freshman year. There’s not a lot of people that started varsity all the way through. Villanova is very lucky to get her.”
About Anna:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
Favorite music: Country
Erin Smith – University of New Haven (Field Hockey)
Major: Communications
Final list of colleges: New Haven, La Salle, Wagner
Reasons for choosing New Haven: “I liked the location – it’s very different from being in Pennsylvania. It’s near New York City and Boston – it’s right in the middle so I’ll have opportunities for careers.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “I started playing club with the goal in mind to end up playing in college, so when I played in club, I would email coaches and just do the whole recruiting thing. I started the recruiting process in ninth grade.”
Coach Pat Toner says: “Erin Smith finished this season with 29 goals and 20 assists, which is incredible in the difficult league we’re in. Erin said to me at one point she would like to get to 100 points, and at that point, she would have had to get 70-some points in a season, and that’s a pretty huge goal to have, and she did it. She’s a prolific scorer. I’ve seen her put the ball in the cage where there’s been very little space, and she’ll just find an opening and be able to score. She scored against every single team in our difficult league. She’s another person who’s a great leader. Kids looked up to her, she worked her butt off, and we’re going to miss her too.”
About Erin:
Favorite food: Chipotle
Favorite TV show: Friends
Favorite artist: Adele
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