Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/13/13
From Press Release
The Rutgers women’s lacrosse team has added six student-athletes to its 2015 roster, head coach Laura Brand-Sias (Radnor) announced. Midfielder Amanda Casten (Brick Township, N.J.), defender Christine DiLullo (Cherokee/Marlton, N.J.), midfielder Paige Paratore (West Deptford/West Deptford, N.J.), midfielder/attack Kerri Puckhaber (Wantagh, N.Y.), midfielder Sydney Quinn (Allentown High/Millstone, N.J.) and midfielder/attack Joanna Reilly (Spring Lake, N.J.) will join the roster next academic year, when the Scarlet Knights enter their first season in the inaugural Big Ten women’s lacrosse league.
“I am very excited about this class, particularly their athleticism and competitive drive,” said Brand-Sias. “They all possess skills that will help us with our entrance into the Big Ten conference. As always, we look to recruit players that will succeed on many levels during their time ‘On the Banks’ and I believe we have accomplished that with this class.”
Brand-Sias on DiLullo – “Christine has progressed a great deal during the recruiting process. She has very sound defensive skill and will develop nicely in our defensive system.”
DiLullo Notes – High school (lacrosse): Four-year varsity letterwinner for Cherokee High School … two-year captain … First-Team All-Olympic Conference selection … received Honorable Mention All-South Jersey honors … 2013 Burlington County Times Second Team All-County selection … played club with South Jersey Select and recorded 64 draw controls, 55 assists, 88 ground balls and 37 caused turnovers through three seasons … Personal: also lettered in soccer … intends on majoring in exercise science … has three siblings: Lisa, Nicole and Thomas … daughter of Annmarie and Thomas DiLullo.
Brand-Sias on Paratore – “Paige is a standout athlete who has impressive physical ability and has progressed tremendously. I am very excited about her growth.”
Paratore Notes – High school (lacrosse): four-year varsity letterwinner and team captain for West Deptford High School … received first team all-conference accolades in 2013, when she helped lead West Deptford to a conference championship title and the Gloucester County Cup title … named to the all-conference team in 2012 … High school (soccer): four-year varsity letterwinner and team captain for West Deptford High School … helped lead her team to the 2013 South Jersey Group 2 championship title … received first-team all conference and All-South Jersey honors her senior year … received first-team all-conference honors her junior year … received second-team all-conference honors her sophomore year … Personal: has two siblings: Zac and Jake … daughter of Nancy and Adam Paratore.
Brand-Sias on Quinn – “Sydney is a true competitor. She plays with undeniable passion and we need that at this level. I am excited for her development in our program as we enter the Big Ten.”
Quinn Notes –High school (lacrosse): Four-year letterwinner for Allentown High School … earned a spot on the Brine National Team (N.J.) her freshman year … member of the Women’s Division National Tournament team her sophomore year … selected to the All-Colonial Valley Conference First Team in 2013 … helped Allentown capture the Mercer County Title and earn a berth to the NJSIAA Group II Tournament Championship game in 2013, as the squad posted its best record in program history at 22-2 … concluded her junior season with 77 goals and 42 assists … played five years of club lacrosse with T3 Lacrosse … Personal: two-year letterwinner in soccer … played nine years of club soccer for the Millstone Hurricanes travel team … ran track for Allentown High School her sophomore year … has two siblings: James Jr. and Kelly … daughter of Jill and James Quinn.
Brand-Sias on Reilly – “Jojo is a strong, physical player with a great shot. She has physical attributes that are hard to find at the high school level and they will translate very nicely into the college game.”
Reilly Notes – High school (lacrosse): Four-year letterwinner at Manasquan High School varsity … 2013 First Team All-Shore selection … 2012 Second Team All-Shore selection … 2013 Coast Star Offensive Player of the Year … 2012-2013 First Team All-Division selection … Personal: intends to major in science … has two siblings: Conor and Brian … daughter of Joanne and Brian Reilly.
Brand-Sias on Puckhaber – “Kerri has great potential at this level. She possesses great speed and quickness and plays at a very high level.”
Brand-Sias on Casten- “Amanda is a strong, physical player who has great potential as a defensive middie for us. She is smart and competitive, and I can see her competing for time very early on.”
Casten Notes – High school (lacrosse): Member of the Red Bank Catholic High School varsity lacrosse team … 2013 All-Shore Conference-First Team selection … named the most valuable offensive team player (2013) … 2013 all-division first team selection … 2013 U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American … member of the 2013 division championship team … 2012 all-division first team selection … 2012 All-Shore Conference Second Team … member of the 2012 division championship team who also captured the 2012 Shore Conference championship and the 2012 South Jersey Group II State Sectional Championship … member of the 2011 squad that tied the school record for most wins in a season (20) and captured the division championship … (soccer): was also a member and captain of the Red Bank Catholic varsity soccer team, who she helped lead to the 2013 Shore Conference championship title and 2012 division championship title … her 2013 soccer team also tied for the division championship title … Personal: member of the National Honor Society … named to the honor roll … recipient of the general academic excellence award … intends on majoring in business and communications … has one sibling: Andrew, who attends Harvard and is a member of the Crimson football team … daughter of Kimberley and Jeffery Casten … father, Jeffery, was a member of the varsity football team at Bucknell University and was inducted into the North Allegheny High School Sports Hall of Fame for track and field … grandfather was inducted into the Mount St. Mary’s University Athletics Hall of Fame for both basketball and baseball.
Puckhaber Notes – High school (lacrosse): Two-year letterwinner for St. Anthony’s High School … team captured the 2012 and 2013 league championship title … squad was ranked nationally both year, finishing third in 2012 and second in 2013 … member of the 2011 junior varsity championship team … (volleyball): two year letterwinner for St. Anthony’s High School … her 2012 team advanced to the playoffs and her 2013 team won the league championship title … two-time all-league selection … member of the 2010 and 2011 junior varsity team … team captured the 2011 league championship title … Personal: has four siblings: John, Jamie, Kristi and Jack … her brother, John, plays collegiate lacrosse at Hofstra … cousins Tommy, Jimmy and Jenna Davis all play collegiate lacrosse at Princeton University, while cousin Timmy plays at Maryland … daughter of Kathleen and John Puckhaber.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. . For specific updates regarding Rutgers women’s lacrosse, follow the program on and Twitter (@RULaxBrand). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
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