Wake Forest Athletics
Field Hockey Inks Four
3/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
March 8, 2005
Winston-Salem, NC - Wake Forest field hockey head coach Jennifer Averill announced Monday the signing of four incoming freshman to her three-time defending National Champion team. The Deacons welcome Christine Suggs, Michelle Kasold, Liz Fries and Crystal Duffield to the 2005 roster.
"I am absolutely thrilled with this class," said Averill. "We should have two or three more to add to it in the next few months and I think it could be one of the best in Wake field hockey history. These girls add incredible talent and technique on the field, but the way they conduct themselves off the field is even more impressive."
Suggs, a forward/midfielder from Durham, NC, competed on the 2002 U-16 squad, the North Carolina Tar Devils U-19 team, the Southern Charm, the Queens of the Hill and the Ocelots. A senior at Durham Academy under head coach Judy Chandler, Suggs was selected to the U-21 National team in January, as were current Deacons Jamie Whitten and Lauren Crandall and soon to be Deac Michelle Kasold.
"Suggs is a phenomenal player," said Averill. "She possesses finesse in her play, she's fluid and graceful but she's tenacious too. She will add tremendous depth to our midfield and forward lines."
Joining Suggs on the U-21 National team will be Michelle Kasold. The Chapel Hill, NC native led East Chapel Hill High School to four state championships. A three-time NFHCA All-American, three time All-South Region and four time first team All-Eastern North Carolina selection, Kasold was the 2003 and 2004 eastern North Carolina Player of the Year. She became the first player in the state to attain 200 career points and is the all-time career leader in goals (74) and assists (62) and all-time single season leader in goals (35) at ECH. She has participated on the U-16, U-19 and U-21 United States field hockey teams and will continue to play on the U-21 team in 2005. She was part of the American squad which took home silver and gold medals in the 2001 and 2002 Junior Olympics, respectively. Kasold was also a four-year letter winner and first-team All-Conference selection for her 2004 state champion soccer team. She was a 2004 and 2005 Who's Who among American high school student-athletes.
"Kasold is a continual work horse," said Averill. "She always wants to learn, she sees the field well and she is an aggressive player. She is quick on her feet and she has a great release on the ball. She will see lots of action in our midfield and back lines."
Liz Fries, a product of Mt. Airy, Md., was a three-year varsity starter and letterwinner at South Carroll High School. The all-state, two-time all-conference and two-time all-county selection led her team to an undefeated season as a sophomore and the 3A Maryland State Championship. She has been a member of the U-19 Washington Wolves Field Hockey Club since 2000 and has competed at both the USFHA Regional and National Futures Tournaments over the past four seasons. Her regional futures team captured the gold medal in 2003 while the national futures team claimed the silver medal. She has been named to the USFHA Futures Elite in 2005.
"Fries will really help us in the backfield. She is a confident player who has improved tremendously over the past few years. She is a solid tackler who brings a low, disciplined defense. She will generate a strong attack from the backfield."
Crystal Duffield comes to Wake with an outstanding high school academic and athletic resume. The starting goalkeeper at West Potomac High School, Duffield also competed on the track, soccer and equestrian teams. This past summer, she was an All-Star Session Selectee and Gatorade Will to Win Award recipient. During her freshman, sophomore and junior years, she received the scholar athlete award during the fall semester. During her junior year field hockey season, she saved 90.51 percent of the shots she faced, saving 124 of the 137 opponent attempts.
"Duffield has a unique style. She is extremely versatile and she shows a lot of flexibility. She is quick and aggressive and she dives for every ball. She has lots of raw talent which has yet to unfold and with direction, she will come in, do well and certainly challenge Gagliardi."
The Deacons open the 2005 season August 27-28 with Iowa and Michigan in the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Game times and locations are still to be determined.
