Riverdale, NY - Manhattan Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Jenna Dingler has announced 10 additions to the 2022 roster.
The class has heavy focus on the tri-state area, with all but one player hailing from New York or New Jersey. All ten will be freshman in the Spring of 2022.
"We are very excited to get this competitive, resilient group out on the field," Dingler said.
"They have been so focused on leveling up their performance and continuing their growth, all despite a global pandemic. Their eagerness to work hard and make an impact will contribute to the success of this program," Dingler added.
Mackenzie Kowitz makes the longest trek to the Bronx from Owings Mill, Maryland. Kowitz has earned two letters in lacrosse at the Roland Park Country School. Kowitz guided the Reds to an undefeated season as a sophomore, leading the team in scoring and ground balls. Kowitz comes from an athletic family, as her father Brian was named ACC Player of the Year at Clemson, and played in the MLB with the Atlanta Braves in 1995. Kowitz played for the TLC Red Club lacrosse team under the direction of Brooke Matthews Shriver.
Clare McCooe joins Manhattan from Ridgewood, New Jersey. McCooe earned four letters in lacrosse at Ridgewood High School, as McCooe was named the Maroon's Unsung Hero award winner as a sophomore. McCooe also earned multiple letters on the hardwood, playing basketball for the Maroons. McCooe plays club lacrosse for Steps Lacrosse for coach Mike Walsh.
Olivia Cruthers comes to Riverdale from Amityville, New York. Cruthers earned two letters for Kellenberg Memorial under the direction of Anne Masiulis. Cruthers excelled as a sophomore, scoring 47 goals and chipping in 11 assists. Following the season, Cruthers was named to the Under Armor 150 All-Star Team and the FLG Super Soph team. Cruthers also lettered in soccer for the Firebirds, leading the team in scoring. Cruthers played club lacrosse for Team Elevate, and was named the team's top attacker. Part of a Jasper family, she will be the sixth member of her extended family to attend Manhattan College.
Ashley Bonitch joins the Jaspers from Miller Place, New York. Bonitch earned four letters for the Panthers under the direction of Dan Spallina. Bonitch was twice named the team's Unsung Hero award winner, and served as a team captain. Bonitch played her club lacrosse for the Brookhaven Bandits.
Marissa Moran comes to the Bronx from West Babylon High School on Long Island. Moran earned five letters on the field for the Eagles, playing for Coleen Kilgus. Moran was named a team captain as a senior. Off the field, Moran is National, Foreign Language, Math and Science Honor Society member. She also earned three letters in basketball and was a team captain on the hardwood. Moran played her club lacrosse for the Long Island Top Guns.
Gabrielle Skowronski arrives in Riverdale from Millstone Township, New Jersey, following a prep career at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Skowronski lettered for the Irish and played under coach Bryan Fisher. Skowronski is no stranger to the Jasper program or the Riverdale campus, as her sister, Gianna, is a junior defender on the team, having been an a MAAC All-Academic honoree last season. Skowronski played her club lacrosse for the South Jersey Select under the direction of KC Knobloch.
Emily Fiola comes to the Bronx from Massapequa, New York. Fiola lettered three times under the direction of Erin Kollar at Massapequa High School. Fiola was a member of a Nassau County runner up team on the lacrosse field in 2019 and won a Long Island and Nassau County Championship as a midfielder on the Chiefs' soccer team. Fiola's sister, Kate, plays lacrosse at Hofstra. Fiola will be the third generation of her family to attend Manhattan. Fiola played her club lacrosse for the Long Island Wave.
Emily Derrico joins the Jaspers following a standout prep career Northern Valley Old Tappan Regional High School. The Harrington Park, New Jersey native earned four letters under the direction of Frank Rotella. Derrico racked up 36 goals and 13 assists in 2019 as a sophomore, earning second team All-League honors. Derrico was also one of the top draw control specialists in the state, finishing in the top 25 in New Jersey in 2019, winning 180 draws. Derrico sister's Sami is a freshman on the UConn Women's soccer team. Derrico played club lacrosse for the Metro Club Lacrosse for Kelsey Rehain.
Ava Fernandes comes to Manhattan from Jefferson Station, New York. Fernandes earned six letters for Comsewogue High School under the direction of Casey Mitchell. Fernandes earned All-County, All-Division and All-League accolades throughout her career with the Warriors. Fernandes was also named to the Fantastic Top 50 of Long Island in 2019 by FLG. Fernandes is familiar with the Jasper Program, because her sister, Julia, is a sophomore attacker for the Jaspers. Fernandes played her club lacrosse for the Long Island Yellow Jackets.
Ava Drangula rounds out the early period signees, arriving in Riverdale with a championship pedigree. Drangula hails from Moorestown, New Jersey, and earned two letters at Moorestown High School. With the Quakers, Drangula helped guide the team to a Tournament of Champions victory in 2018 and a Group 3 State Championship in 2019. Drangula competed for the South Jersey Select Club team under KC Knobloch.
Manhattan was 3-4 in 2020 prior to stoppage of play due to COVID-19, and qualified for the MAAC tournament in 2019. The 2021 season kicks off when the Jaspers travel to Marist on March 7, before returning home to host Siena on March 14.
