Liberty Lacrosse Signs 8 Players in 2020-21 Class
11/18/2019 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
The Liberty lacrosse program has announced the addition of eight student-athletes for the 2020-21 academic year.
The eight-player recruiting class – Brieanna Bernier (Connecticut), Mia Blackburn (Indiana), Ella Gadoury (Virginia), Olivia Glaze (Georgia), Mackenzie Lehman (Pennsylvania), Kelly Scott (Georgia), Jordan Sheive (California) and Katelyn Weissend (Pennsylvania) – reside from six different states.
"This is always a special time for our program as we welcome a new group of young women into our Flames Family! Our staff continues to do a phenomenal job in the recruiting process, finding high character young women who excel on and off the field," said Liberty Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Kelly Nangle. "This class will have a tough task in replacing one of the most decorated senior class that has ever come through our program. We are really excited about the potential of this group of student-athletes and how they will continue to build and grow our culture and program."
Brieanna Bernier (A – Somers, Conn./Somers HS)
Bernier was a second team all-state and NCC all-conference honoree as a junior. The Somers, Conn., native has totaled 153 points, 120 ground balls, 117 draw controls and 36 caused turnovers in three years at Somers High School. Bernier, who is an attacker, earned coach's player of the year distinction as a sophomore and rookie of the year honors as a freshman.
"At the best Christian university in the world, there wasn't a question to whether or not I wanted to choose Liberty," she said. "As a Flame, my future is bright. I am so excited to further my faith and education at this amazing school."
Bernier says her most memorable lacrosse moment so far has been winning a NCCC semifinal game a sophomore over rival Granby.
Mia Blackburn (A/M – Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville HS)
Blackburn, an attacker/midfielder, has been a first team all-state (junior year) and two-time first team all-state (sophomore and freshman year) selection during her three years at Noblesville High School. She has totaled 94 goals, 26 assists and 120 points, while leading her team to a 36-16-1 record.
"Working hard, being assertive, showing kindness and trusting the Lord has blessed me with this opportunity to play for Liberty," she stated.
Blackburn and the Noblesville Millers have finished third at state twice and fifth once during her time so far at the school. She is also a two-time all-sectional team honoree and earned rookie of the year status as a freshman in 2017.
"I have seen Mia with a lacrosse stick in her hand since she was very young. Her passion for lacrosse is evident through her play and the hard work she puts into getting better. While she is a great lacrosse player, she is an even better person. She has a heart of gold, and her kindness is contagious. Her potential as a lacrosse player and a woman of faith are endless."
Veronica Miller, Noblesville Girls Lacrosse Head Coach (freshman and sophomore year)
"Mia is a very well-rounded player. Her positive attitude and encouraging spirit are something every coach desires in a player. She has not only a great shot and competitive defense, but her field awareness is very impressive. I can't wait to watch all she is going to do in her future lacrosse career!"
Baylee Tobin, Noblesville Girls Lacrosse Head Coach (junior year)
Ella Gadoury (M – Gainesville, Va./Battlefield HS)
Gadoury has competed for the last three seasons at Battfield High School, totaling 35 goals, four assists, 39 points, 57 draw controls, 46 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. The midfielder was a second team all-conference selection as a sophomore and an honorable mention selection as a junior. Gadoury and the Battlefield Bobcats won the district title in 2019 and a conference crown in 2018.
"I'm extremely thankful to play lacrosse at Liberty. Nowhere else felt like home, and I can't wait to meet my second family," she said.
"Hustle and determination are two words that best describe Ella on the field. She is a true warrior and impact player. Her on-field presence can immediately change the momentum of the game. Speed and strength, along with her shooting skills, are all a part of this player's game that will make her shine at the collegiate level."
Mike Rosenburg, Coach
"Ella is a hard-working and fast player. She's always given 100 percent on the field, whether it is in practice or in games."
Mary Kugler, Coach
Olivia Glaze (M/A – Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta HS)
Glaze, a midfielder/attacker, is a three-year varsity starter and two-year team captain for the Alpharetta Raiders. She has scored 193 goals to go along with 48 assists and 241 points. She has helped guide the Raiders to a 38-21 record over the past three seasons with two state tournament appearances, a quarterfinal berth and one sweet 16 berth.
Glaze has been the team MVP each of her three years and earned scholar athlete status three times as well.
"From my first camp at Liberty, I felt like LU was the perfect fit for me," she stated. "I am so humbled that God has given me the opportunity to play at such an amazing school, and I cannot wait to be a Flame!"
"Olivia is a tireless worker dedicated to being the best player she can be. She is a leader both on and off the field. Her competitive spirit elevates the play of her teammates. As a great a player as she is, it is her humility that sets her apart from her peers."
Brandon Allen, Alpharetta High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach
"Olivia is an outstanding athlete and an amazing playmaker. She has a great drive and work ethic. She is a very dynamic player and always shows great leadership on and off the field."
Matt Snyder, Eagle Stix Lacrosse Club Coach
"Olivia is a true dual-threat midfielder who will contribute on both ends of the field. Her athleticism, speed and strength will serve her well at the Division I level."
Amber Falcone Mckenzie, Eagle Stix Lacrosse Club Coach
Mackenzie Lehman (A/M – McMurray, Pa./Peters Township HS)
Lehman, an attacker/midfielder, will be the second player from Peters Township High School on the Lady Flames, joining current Liberty junior Mia Toscano. Lehman was named a US Lacrosse All-American and earned all-section and all-WPIAL player honors last spring. She has helped guide the Mighty Indians to a 34-19 mark over the past three seasons and three straight WPIAL playoff berths.
Lehman says her most memorable moment so far was winning a game over rival Mt. Lebanon in 2017.
"I can't wait to spend my next four years with an incredibly talented team on a beautiful campus," she said.
Kelly Scott (M/A – Roswell, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS)
Scott, a midfielder/attacker, has totaled 134 goals, 58 assists, 192 points and 45 ground balls over the last two seasons at Trinity Catholic. With Scott leading the way, the Titans won a Georgia state title in 2018, finished the state runner-up in 2019 and captured a pair of region titles in 2018 and 2019. Scott and her Trinity Catholic squad have posted a 36-7-1 mark over the last two seasons.
Scott's individual accomplishments include: first team all-state (2018 and 2019), Academic All-American (2019), two-time DiVasity Georgia State All-Star team (2018 and 2019), Under Armour All-American – South Highlight team (2019), Under Armour All-American – South Command team (2017 and 2018) US Lacrosse Magazine Notable South HS Player of the Week (2018) and US National Team Georgia Team 1 (2017).
"I am so excited for my four years at Liberty as a student and lacrosse player. I cannot wait to be a part of such an amazing program and team," she stated. "Go Flames!"
"I have enjoyed having Kelly on our team. She truly embodies what it means to be a complete player. Not only does she possess the excellent stick skills to be an outstanding lacrosse player, but she possesses the demeanor and commanding presence and a positive attitude to be leader and role model for our team. She is also a very humble player, consistently putting the team before herself. She will be missed, but we wish her the very best in her collegiate lacrosse career!"
Liz McFarland, Trinity Catholic High School Girls Lacrosse Head Coach
"We are very proud of Kelly and the player and person she has become. She has amazing work ethic and leadership. She makes an impact on and off the field. We are very excited for her future."
Matt Snyder, Eagle Stix Lacrosse Club Coach
Jordan Sheive (A – San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos HS)
Sheive, an attacker, will be the third player from the state of California on the 2020-21 Liberty squad, joining current Lady Flames Brooke Bryan (redshirt sophomore, Westlake, Calif.) and Delainey Iles (freshman, San Clemente, Calif.). Sheive has recorded 114 goals, 54 assists and 168 points in three seasons at San Marcos High School while guiding her team to a 51-17 overall mark and a pair of CIF playoff semifinal appearances (2018 and 2019) and a Division I CIF Championship title in 2017.
"I am beyond excited about signing with Liberty to further my athletic and academic careers alongside an amazing group of girls," she said. "Go Flames!"
Sheive is a three-time all-league selection. She has also earned San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic team honors and the Coaches' Award in 2019.
"If you need a player to be the consummate teammate, if you need a goal late in the game, if you need a player to hustle from the beginning to the end of fhe game, look for Jojo Sheive. Jojo is the type of player every coach wants on their team!"
Robert Meder, San Marcos High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Katelyn Weissend (D/M – Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area HS)
Weissend has recorded 146 goals, 33 assists, 179 points and 226 draw controls in three seasons for the Elizabethtown Area High School Bears, helping her squad win 24 games. The midfielder is a three-time Lancaster-Lebanon honoree and a three-time team MVP.
"God has given me this great opportunity, and I cannot wait to make my family and friends proud by giving it my all at my dream school," she stated.
Weissend says her most memorable moment on the lacrosse field was scoring her 100th career goal as a junior.
"I have been extremely lucky to have Kate Weissend on my team. She is a one-in-a-million player. She is a phenomenal player, always gives her all, stays positive no matter the situation and is always looking for ways to better herself. She puts the team first and strives to make everyone around her stronger players and people. I'm beyond excited to see her further her career at the collegiate level!"
Cheyenne Benson, Elizabethtown Area High School Girls Lacrosse Head Coach
"Kate is one of the most committed, coachable and focused athletes I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. She consistently plays hard every single moment she steps on the field, whether it be in practice or a game. Her work ethics makes her an incredible teammate. As she works to improve her own game, she inspires and pushes her teammates to excel."
Erin Zimmer, Xtreme Lacrosse Club Coach
