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James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Dukes Announce Six Newcomers for Fall 2016
3/24/2016 2:32:00 PM | Field Hockey
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison field hockey will welcome six newcomers for the fall 2016 campaign, Head Coach Christy Morgan announced Thursday.
The Dukes will be joined by Alicia Cooperman, Cassie Hunter, Rachel Maizel, Erica Royal, Emilly Schutt and Payton Staylor.
Alicia Cooperman | M | 5-2
Zionsville, Pa. | Emmaus H.S.
Cooperman played four years of varsity field hockey at Emmaus High School, leading the Hornets to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AAA state championship as a senior and four consecutive District XI AAA titles. In 2016, she earned the William J. Grim Memorial award, which recognizes the female athlete doing the most to promote field hockey during her high school career. She also earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Region and First Team All-Star honors during her senior campaign. In club hockey, she played her final two years with Firestyx and won the U19 National Indoor gold medal in both 2015 and 2016.
"Alicia is an explosive and dynamic player with sound fundamental skill and great energy and passion," Coach Morgan said.
Off the field, Cooperman was a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, earning a spot on Pennsylvania's state All-Academic Team. She also was a member of her school choir, performing at the Vatican on Easter Monday last year and ranking 12th in the Alto I Regional Chorus and 22nd in the Alto I District XI Chorus.
Cassie Hunter | F/M | 5-5
Exton, Pa. | Downingtown East H.S.
Hunter was a four-year varsity starter at Downingtown East High School and served as captain in 2015. She led the Cougars to the 2015 Ches Mont Conference Championship, adding to appearances in the PIAA District I AAA finals and state AAA quarterfinals. She was selected to play in the Philadelphia Field Hockey Senior All-Star Game after earning Ches Mont All-Conference AAA and All-Area AAA honors. She played her club hockey for X-Calibur, winning the Junior Premier Indoor championship in 2014 and 2015 and the outdoor championship in 2014. She also went on the Holland Tour and participated in the Canadian Indoor Classic finals in 2016.
"Cassie is on the road to being an All-American. She has great game sense, skill and determination. She plays a pretty style of hockey and will make an impact immediately," Coach Morgan stated.
During high school, Hunter was a member of the National Honor Society and earned a spot on the high honor roll. She also participated in the Best Buddies program.
Rachel Maizel | D/M | 5-8
Rockville, Md. | Thomas S. Wootton H.S.
Maizel led the Patriots to the Maryland 4A title game in 2015, their second appearance in three seasons. The center back/center midfielder was a solid presence for Wootton's defense, which shut out 13 opponents during the season, and was chosen as a 2015 All-Met First Team selection by the Washington Post.
"Rachel is an amazingly committed competitor who has a mindset for growth, working to be great each day. She's got great speed and is hungry to win," Coach Morgan said.
Maizel earned honor roll in high school and the Minds-in-Motion scholar-athlete award. She also competed on the track team, placing third in the state for the 800-meter run.
Erica Royal | D | 5-5
Richmond, Va. | Saint Catherine's School
Royal earned a varsity letter her final three years of high school and was captain as a senior. Away from the Saints, she competed in the Disney Showcase, Shooting Star Showcase and National Futures Championships. An all-state and all-conference athlete, she also lettered for the track team for three years, during which time she won the 4x400-meter relay state championship and met the 4x800-meter relay national silver standard.
"Erica has both speed and awareness, which makes her an aggressive defender with a knack for anticipating plays and stepping up to make things happen," Coach Morgan said.
In 2014 and 2015, Royal served as president for Students Advocating for Multicultural Progress (STAMP). She also competed on Model Judiciary, earning a bronze medal and two silver medals, participated in the chorale club and was a member of the National Society for High School Scholars.
Emilly Schutt | F | 5-1
Vestal, N.Y. | Vestal Senior H.S.
Schutt was a three-year varsity starter and was the 2015 team captain for the Golden Bears. In 2013 and 2014, Vestal won the NYS regional championship and advanced to the NYS state semifinals. Schutt earned the Barbara Longstreth Award in 2014.
"Emily is a speedy striker who has a nose for the goal and a great ability to score. She is a fiery and feisty player who battles for everything," Coach Morgan stated.
For club hockey, Schutt plays with the Southern Tier Storm. She was an AAU Junior Olympic gold medalist and participated in USA Futures, Disney Showcase and National Futures. She is an honor roll student and four-time NYS Scholar Athlete. She also received the president's award and is certified in open water scuba diving.
Payton Staylor | M | 5-1
Chesapeake, Va. | Colonial Forge H.S.
Staylor was named her team's Most Valuable Player as a junior as well as Female Athlete of the Year. She earned First Team All-Conference honors twice, bookended by Second Team All-Conference honors. She was a First Team All-Area selection in 2014 and the team Rookie of the Year in 2012. Away from her high school team, she qualified for the National Indoor Tournament in 2014, 2015 and 2016. She played her club hockey for NOVA Elite in Stafford, Va., and Saints in Virginia Beach, Va.
"Payton is a powerful player with explosive speed and a natural way about her play. She has an extremely intense work ethic and a never-give-up attitude," Coach Morgan said.
A two-sport athlete, Staylor also played lacrosse as a center defender. She is a three-time Second Team All-Conference honoree. Academically, she is an honor roll student.
The Dukes will be joined by Alicia Cooperman, Cassie Hunter, Rachel Maizel, Erica Royal, Emilly Schutt and Payton Staylor.
Alicia Cooperman | M | 5-2
Zionsville, Pa. | Emmaus H.S.
Cooperman played four years of varsity field hockey at Emmaus High School, leading the Hornets to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AAA state championship as a senior and four consecutive District XI AAA titles. In 2016, she earned the William J. Grim Memorial award, which recognizes the female athlete doing the most to promote field hockey during her high school career. She also earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Region and First Team All-Star honors during her senior campaign. In club hockey, she played her final two years with Firestyx and won the U19 National Indoor gold medal in both 2015 and 2016.
"Alicia is an explosive and dynamic player with sound fundamental skill and great energy and passion," Coach Morgan said.
Off the field, Cooperman was a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, earning a spot on Pennsylvania's state All-Academic Team. She also was a member of her school choir, performing at the Vatican on Easter Monday last year and ranking 12th in the Alto I Regional Chorus and 22nd in the Alto I District XI Chorus.
Cassie Hunter | F/M | 5-5
Exton, Pa. | Downingtown East H.S.
Hunter was a four-year varsity starter at Downingtown East High School and served as captain in 2015. She led the Cougars to the 2015 Ches Mont Conference Championship, adding to appearances in the PIAA District I AAA finals and state AAA quarterfinals. She was selected to play in the Philadelphia Field Hockey Senior All-Star Game after earning Ches Mont All-Conference AAA and All-Area AAA honors. She played her club hockey for X-Calibur, winning the Junior Premier Indoor championship in 2014 and 2015 and the outdoor championship in 2014. She also went on the Holland Tour and participated in the Canadian Indoor Classic finals in 2016.
"Cassie is on the road to being an All-American. She has great game sense, skill and determination. She plays a pretty style of hockey and will make an impact immediately," Coach Morgan stated.
During high school, Hunter was a member of the National Honor Society and earned a spot on the high honor roll. She also participated in the Best Buddies program.
Rachel Maizel | D/M | 5-8
Rockville, Md. | Thomas S. Wootton H.S.
Maizel led the Patriots to the Maryland 4A title game in 2015, their second appearance in three seasons. The center back/center midfielder was a solid presence for Wootton's defense, which shut out 13 opponents during the season, and was chosen as a 2015 All-Met First Team selection by the Washington Post.
"Rachel is an amazingly committed competitor who has a mindset for growth, working to be great each day. She's got great speed and is hungry to win," Coach Morgan said.
Maizel earned honor roll in high school and the Minds-in-Motion scholar-athlete award. She also competed on the track team, placing third in the state for the 800-meter run.
Erica Royal | D | 5-5
Richmond, Va. | Saint Catherine's School
Royal earned a varsity letter her final three years of high school and was captain as a senior. Away from the Saints, she competed in the Disney Showcase, Shooting Star Showcase and National Futures Championships. An all-state and all-conference athlete, she also lettered for the track team for three years, during which time she won the 4x400-meter relay state championship and met the 4x800-meter relay national silver standard.
"Erica has both speed and awareness, which makes her an aggressive defender with a knack for anticipating plays and stepping up to make things happen," Coach Morgan said.
In 2014 and 2015, Royal served as president for Students Advocating for Multicultural Progress (STAMP). She also competed on Model Judiciary, earning a bronze medal and two silver medals, participated in the chorale club and was a member of the National Society for High School Scholars.
Emilly Schutt | F | 5-1
Vestal, N.Y. | Vestal Senior H.S.
Schutt was a three-year varsity starter and was the 2015 team captain for the Golden Bears. In 2013 and 2014, Vestal won the NYS regional championship and advanced to the NYS state semifinals. Schutt earned the Barbara Longstreth Award in 2014.
"Emily is a speedy striker who has a nose for the goal and a great ability to score. She is a fiery and feisty player who battles for everything," Coach Morgan stated.
For club hockey, Schutt plays with the Southern Tier Storm. She was an AAU Junior Olympic gold medalist and participated in USA Futures, Disney Showcase and National Futures. She is an honor roll student and four-time NYS Scholar Athlete. She also received the president's award and is certified in open water scuba diving.
Payton Staylor | M | 5-1
Chesapeake, Va. | Colonial Forge H.S.
Staylor was named her team's Most Valuable Player as a junior as well as Female Athlete of the Year. She earned First Team All-Conference honors twice, bookended by Second Team All-Conference honors. She was a First Team All-Area selection in 2014 and the team Rookie of the Year in 2012. Away from her high school team, she qualified for the National Indoor Tournament in 2014, 2015 and 2016. She played her club hockey for NOVA Elite in Stafford, Va., and Saints in Virginia Beach, Va.
"Payton is a powerful player with explosive speed and a natural way about her play. She has an extremely intense work ethic and a never-give-up attitude," Coach Morgan said.
A two-sport athlete, Staylor also played lacrosse as a center defender. She is a three-time Second Team All-Conference honoree. Academically, she is an honor roll student.
Players Mentioned
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Friday, August 02
Monday, June 03
Thursday, December 07
