Kerstin Kimel Announces Early Signings for 2006-07 season

DURHAM, N.C. -- Head coach Kerstin Kimel and the Duke Women's Lacrosse team has announced eight signings for the 2006-07 season.

“The Class of 2010 is an outstanding combination of speed, talent and athleticism representing six different regions of the country,” said Kimel. “We are excited about the diversity in their backgrounds and styles of play. All eight players possess a tremendous work ethic, competitive spirit and drive to be the best on and off the field?which is consistent with the culture of our program. I could not be more pleased with the group as a whole and I expect these players to be tremendous additions to our team?academically, athletically and socially. We look forward to their arrival next fall.”

Christine Barnes (Wayne, Pa./Radnor) - Midfield
Named to the All-Delco, All-Mainline and All-League teams in lacrosse and soccer ... captain of the lacrosse, soccer and basketball teams ... member of the National Honor Society and distinguished honor roll ... mother, Buff, played field hockey and golf at Duke ... father, James, was a field hockey coach at Duke for the 1975 and 1976 seasons.

Coach Kimel On Barnes: “Christie has incredible footwork, quickness and speed. She comes from a great high school program that is accustomed to winning. Also a Division I soccer prospect?Christie is versatile?particularly in the midfield....she can carry the ball and slow others down in transition. We feel she has tremendous potential to be a great college player and we look forward to working with her next fall.”

Christine Casey (Bethesda, Md./Holton Arms) - Defense
Honorable mention All-America in 2005 ... Academic All-America selection ... team captain as a junior and elected as a captain for 2006 season ... also captain of the field hockey team ... participated in National Futures Program from 2002-04 ... inducted into the Holton Arms Honorary Athletic Association in the spring of 2005 ... National Merit Commended Scholar ... 2005 AP Scholar.

Coach Kimel on Casey: “The two most notable qualities about Chrisi are her work ethic and leadership. Together, they have combined to help Chrisi develop into a top defensive prospect for us. Her footwork, communication skills and ability to read plays are outstanding. Her stick work is second to none and I expect her to be a factor in our transition game as well. All together, Chrisi is a very impressive student, athlete and leader who I expect will transition very well to the college game.”

Sara Giedgowd (Berwyn, Pa./Conestoga) - Midfield
US Lacrosse first team All-America as a junior ... led her team to back-to-back state championships in 2004 and 2005 ... named MVP of the state championship game in 2005 ... two-time first team All-Central League 2 and All-Main Line selections ... also a varsity letterwinner in basketball ... brother, Tom, graduated from Duke in 2005.

Coach Kimel on Giedgowd: “Sara is a tremendous and versatile athlete. She is a fierce competitor who is accustomed to success as evidenced by her role in the last two Pennsylvania State Championship games. Her game sense and lacrosse IQ are ahead of the high school game?this combined with savvy defense and outstanding communication skills allows her to direct traffic all over the field. We feel she will be an outstanding addition to our midfield and defensive units.”

Lindsay Gilbride (Alexandria, Va./Georgetown Visitation Prep.) - Midfield
First team All-America selection as a junior ... All-Met honorable mention ... led the team in scoring as a junior ... team MVP and captain of lacrosse and field hockey teams in 2005 ... honorable mention All-America as a sophomore ... two-time All-ISL selection in lacrosse and field hockey ... earned the team's Most Dedicated Player Award her first two seasons ... three-time participant at the US National Lacrosse Tournament ... president of the Athletic Association.

Coach Kimel on Gilbride: “Lindsay's height, acceleration, stick skills and versatility make for an incredible combination of qualities which will afford her a quick transition to the college game. She is an outstanding scoring threat and a capable defender. I expect her to make an immediate impact in our midfield in 2007.”

Jillian Heinz (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) - Midfield/Defense
All-State selection in 2005 ... named to the All-Area Pioneer Press team ... member of the Great Lakes 1 team ... All-Academic selection as a junior ... named to the all-tournament team at the 7v7 Northwestern Tournament ... also a standout in field hockey receiving a first team All-State, All-Area Pioneer Press team and All-Academic team selections in 2004 ... member of the National Spanish Honors Society ... sisters, Kristin and Heather, are Duke graduates.

Coach Kimel on Heinz: “We are very excited that Jillian will be a Blue Devil next season. She is our first recruit from Chicago and we are proud to have her! Jillian is feisty, quick and has great speed. She is tough and a great competitor who we will be a nice addition to our defensive unit.“

Danielle Kachulis (Parker, Colo./Kent Denver) - Midfield
Has won six state championships ... won four state championships in 2004-05 including lacrosse, field hockey and the 100 and 200 meter dash ... Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post Player of the Year as a junior ... first team All-America selection ... first player west of the Mississippi to be named a finalist for the Heather Leigh Albert Award ... first team all-state selection by Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post ... All-State honorable mention as a sophomore ... three-time All-League choice ... second in the state as a junior with 78 points (54 goals, 24 assists) ... led her team to the Division II National Championship at the US Lacrosse National Tournament in 2004 and to the Division I Pool D Championship in 2005 ... standout in field hockey and track ... won three straight National Championships in field hockey and holds school record in 100 and 200 meter dash.

Coach Kimel on Kachulis: “Danielle is quite simply the fastest lacrosse player I have ever seen. She is a fierce competitor playing pivotal roles in winning four Colorado state championships in 2004-05! Having followed Danielle over the last few years, her development into an elite player has been quick and profound. She is a quick learner and possesses an incredible work ethic. This combined with her impressive athleticism will put her in a position to help us immediately in 2007.”

Alex Ryan (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) ? Midfield
Led Brighton to its first ever State Championship in 2005 ... two-time All-County selection ... Academic All-America pick in 2005 ... named co-MVP of the lacrosse section 5 tournament ... received the Brine Choice Award at the New York State Lacrosse Championships in 2004 and 2005 ... two-time Empire State Western team selection ... selected to play for New York at the 2005 National Tournament ... named captain for senior season ... also lettered in basketball, indoor track and soccer, earning all-county in soccer as a senior.

Coach Kimel on Ryan: “Alex is savvy offensive player with tremendous quickness and speed. She has a knack for reading transition, seeing openings and putting herself in the right place at the right time. We are excited that she will be joining our talented offense and feel she is a great fit for our style of play.”

Betsey Sauer (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury) - Midfield
Three-year letterwinner in lacrosse and soccer ... captain of lacrosse and soccer teams ... All-Galaxy first team selection in 2004 ... named to the Lower New England first team in 2005 ... member of the undefeated Mass Elite club team which competed at the Cup of Nations Tournament in 2005 ... also a letterwinner on the swim team ... member of the National Honor Society ... brother, Tripper, will graduate from Duke in 2006.

Coach Kimel on Sauer: “Betsey is a fast, versatile athlete with a tough and edgy new England style of play. She is a tough minded competitor who we expect will be a tremendous athletic addition to our midfield next year.”

Kerstin Kimel Announces Early Signings for 2006-07 season

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