Feb. 6, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University head field hockey coach Jill Reeve announced today that the RedHawks have signed six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.

After a run to the championship game of the 2007 Mid-American Conference Tournament, Miami is poised to take the next step toward an NCAA Tournament berth. The newest crop of RedHawks bring the plenty of talent and accolades and will look to contribute as the MU squad lost seven key '07 contributors to graduation.

The incoming field hockey class includes Brittany Branco (Mullica Hill, N.J.), Christena Burell (Louisville, Ky.), Abbey Huck (Emmaus, Pa.), Maria Kreighbaum (Hudson, Ohio), Jackie Nguyen (San Diego, Calif.), and Amanda Seeley (Louisville, Ky.)

BRITTANY BRANCO
FORWARD - MULLICA HILL, N.J.
CLEARVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
A four-time letterwinner for head coach Britney Ewan, Branco was a two-time first-team all-conference honoree, while being named team MVP and team captain at Clearview Regional High School. She also was named first team all-county twice, was honored as a member of the All-South Jersey Group 3 First Team, and was selected to the senior showcase in 2007. In club action, Branco participated in the SJ Field Hockey Academy, was an alternate on the Futures National Team, and was named MVP of the Pitman Field Hockey Tournament. Branco lettered additionally in lacrosse and swimming, earning the Golden Stick Award and honorable-mention All-Tri-County recognition. She is the daughter of Chris and Lori Branco.

 

 

 

 

CHRISTENA BURELL
FORWARD - LOUISVILLE, KY.
KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY HIGH SCHOOL
A three-year starter at Country Day High School, Burell helped her squad to two state runner-up finishes and a district championship. She was a member of the NFHCA/Penn Monto All-Region team and was nominated for the Kentucky Miss Field Hockey Award and All-American recognition. Burell was named first-team all-state twice and was the leading scorer in the state of Kentucky in 2007, registering 33 goals, a Country Day record. She is the second-leading goal scorer in school history with 64 career scores. She was named to the Kentucky All-Star Team in 2007. In club action, Burell played for the International Field Hockey Club of Kentucky.

 

 

 

 

 

ABBEY HUCK
GOALKEEPER - EMMAUS, PA.
EMMAUS HIGH SCHOOL
A four-year letterwinner at Emmaus High School, Huck broke three school records, including most games played, and most career and playoff shutouts. She led EHS to the 2007 Pennsylvania State Championship and a No. 1 national ranking after winning the same titles in 2005. A member of the National Futures Team, Huck played in the Junior Olympics in New Orleans and Virginia Beach. She was named first-team all-state in 2006 and 2007. Huck sharpened her skills playing in over-21 leagues as early as eighth grade and has already directed a field hockey camp. Her sister Ashley, played field hockey at Missouri State, while sister, Amanda, is a freshman on the Michigan State squad. She is the daughter of Linda and Rick Huck.

 

 

 

 

 

MARIA KREIGHBAUM
MIDFIELDER - HUDSON, OHIO
HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL
A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for head coach KC Smith at Hudson High School, Kreighbaum was a first-team All-Ohio selection and an Academic All-American while earning Team MVP honors as a senior. She was selected to the National Futures Team, competing in Virginia Beach. In 2006, she was selected to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Best of the Best All-Stars. She compiled a 41-16-4 record over four years as a member of the HHS squad. Kreighbaum also played lacrosse, lettering three times and earning all-league honors. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has won four student-athlete awards at Hudson High School.

 

 

 

 

 

JACKIE NGUYEN
FORWARD - SAN DIEGO, CALIF.
SCRIPPS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL
A three-year starter at Scripps Ranch High School, Nguyen was the team's leading scorer in 2007 with 33 goals and 11 assists, earning Western League Player of the Year honors. She was first-team All-CIF and All-San Diego Section in 2007 along with earning her second Western League first-team award. Nguyen was named the Serra Tournament MVP in 2007. She was a part of three Western League Championships and was named to the San Diego Union-Tribune all-academic first team as a senior. Also a softball student-athlete, Nguyen received the CIF Sportsmanship Award in 2006 on the diamond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMANDA SEELEY
FORWARD - LOUISVILLE, KY.
BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL
A four-year letterwinner and two-time captain at Ballard High School, Seeley was a two-time all-state selection and a three-time team MVP for the Bruins. She led BHS to a 21-7 record in 2007 and a district runner-up finish, scoring 18 goals. Her 2005 squad advanced to the state championship game. She was a part of the University of Louisville All-Star team, winning the national indoor championship in 2005 and the national outdoor championship in 2005 and 2006. Seeley split time, playing both forward and midfielder for head coach Kelly Logsdon. Her older sister, Stephanie, is a member of the Robert Morris University Field Hockey team. She is the daughter of Cynthia and Paul Seeley.