Lacrosse Inks Eight on National Signing Day

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The James Madison lacrosse program has signed eight future student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, as announced by Head Coach Shelley Klaes on Wednesday.

The class consists of athletes from five different states with three from Maryland, two from New York, and one each from Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey.

JMU adds five midfielders, one attacker, one defender, and one goalie on National Signing Day.

The newest Dukes will enroll at JMU in the fall of 2022, and will beginning their collegiate careers in the 2023 season.

"We are confident this class is going to be a special addition to the JMU family," Klaes said. They are the total package, creating depth in every position. They are from athletic families, bring multisport backgrounds, have regional and state championship experience, and have accomplished record-breaking athletic performances. We know this group will help us sustain our momentum nationally."

Introducing the JMU Lacrosse signing class of 2021:

Caitlin Boden | Goalkeeper | 5-5 | Merrick, N.Y. | Sacred Heart

US Lacrosse All-American in 2021
2021 Under Armour All-American, First Team All-Tournament, and National Champion; also received Under Armour All-American honors in 2019
CHSAA First Team All-League in 2021
Varsity captain of lacrosse team
Earned #14 ranking from US Club Lacrosse with a 21-6-4 overall record for LI Yellow Jackets Curcio

Klaes on Boden: "Caitlin is confident between the pipes and gritty outside the crease. A lefty with quick hands, she has the ability to make game changing saves. Training and competing with some of the best shooters on the Island have made her an All-American. She will add competitive spirit and a unique skill set to our goalkeepers."

Maddie Epke | Midfielder | 5-8 | Guilford, Conn. | Guilford High School

US Lacrosse All-American in 2021
2021 Connecticut High School Female Athlete of the Year, Conference Player of the Year and M Class Championship Player of the Year as a junior
Also received First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State, and All-New Haven Area honors as a freshman
Varsity captain of field hockey and ice hockey teams
Won the field hockey state championship in 2019
Received Most Outstanding Player in the conference and state championship games; and received All-Conference and All-State recognition in sophomore and junior seasons for field hockey
All-Conference and All-State honors in all three years for ice hockey
Member of Nor'easter Lacrosse Club

Klaes on Epke: "Maddie is an explosive athlete with great top-end speed and diverse technical skills from ice hockey. She is a draw specialist, who also can dodge and finish. A competitor in every sport she plays, Maddie is a proven champion and leader."

Brianna Mennella | Midfielder | 5-6 | Denville, N.J. | Morris Knolls

US Lacrosse Magazine 2021 National Watch List
2021 First Team All-Conference, First Team All-County, and All-Academic Team for Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Scored 113 goals in her two seasons
Varsity captain since her sophomore year
Also a starting varsity point guard and captain on the basketball team
Earned #20 ranking from US Club Lacrosse with a 24-1-5 overall record for BBL Elite Black Club

Klaes on Mennella: "Mennella is an athletic middie with creative stick work, who makes the game look smooth and effortless. She generates impact plays all over the field including but not limited to draw controls, ground balls, caused turnovers, and goals. A multisport athlete, Bri is an elite competitor and proven leader."

Josie Pell | Midfielder | 5-3 | Catonsville, Md. | Glenelg Country School

Four year varsity letter winner on the #4 ranked team in the IAAM A Conference with a 10-4 record
Also plays varsity soccer and basketball
Earned #3 ranking from US Club Lacrosse with a 19-6-5 overall record for Hero's Green Club

Klaes on Pell: "Pell is a dynamic athlete with tremendous game sense. Her lacrosse IQ allows her to create on offense and her anticipation allows her to disrupt play on defense. A true middie and a great teammate, Josie adds depth the midfield and draw unit.

Jordan Peterson | Attacker | 5-10 | Sparks, Md. | Hereford

Competed in the state championship game in 2019 and state semifinals in 2021; also received First Team All-County in 2019
Plays soccer, basketball, and polo
Peterson's basketball team reached the regional finals in 2020
Polo team won regionals in 2020 and competed in the national finals in 2021
Earned #6 ranking from US Club Lacrosse with a 21-6-3 overall record for Sky Walkers Blue

Klaes on Peterson: "Jordan is athletic, hardworking, and has tons of upside. Her physical presence adds length and reach on draws. She is a versatile player who knows the game, knows how to work off the ball, and knows how to use her stick and body to get her hands free to shoot. Jordan will add IQ to our offensive unit and depth to our draw unit.

Courtney Quirk | Defender | 5-7 | Londonderry, N.H. | Brewster Academy

2021 All-New England Award
Four-year, three-sport athlete in lacrosse, soccer, and basketball
Led her team in draw controls, ground balls, caused turnovers, and assists in 2021 season
Received region All-Star for soccer in her junior year
Earned #41 Ranking from US Club Lacrosse with NH Tomahawks

Klaes on Quirk: "A multisport athlete, Courtney brings competitive experiences, energy, hustle, and leadership. She is fast and quick and uses her athleticism to close space and create turnovers. Courtney is a proven competitor who has a passion for JMU."

Olivia Rongo | Midfielder | 5-11 | Westhampton, N.Y.| Westhampton Beach

All-County honors as a junior
Rookie of the Year, Scholar-Athlete Team, and All-Division recognition as a freshman
Plays varsity basketball; earned Rookie of the Year as a freshman, All-League honors as a sophomore, and All-County honors as a junior.

Klaes on Rongo: "Olivia adds length and physicality in every sport she plays, which translates into impact plays all over the field. She is known to collect draws to create knock downs as well as feed and finish. Olivia will add depth to our midfield and draw unit."

Lauren Savage | Midfielder | 5-5 | Catonsville, Md. | Maryvale Prep

US Lacrosse Magazine 2021 National Watch List
2022 Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Senior Watch List; also received Under Armour All-Tournament selection in 2021
Four-year, three sport varsity athlete in lacrosse, cross country, and indoor track and field
Led team in groundballs and midfielders in scoring as a junior
Set top-five school marks in distance medley relay, 1600 meter, and sprint medley relay
Earned #34 ranking from US Club Lacrosse for RedShirts Club

Klaes on Savage: "A high school track star, Lauren will add speed and mental toughness to our program. She has great lacrosse IQ on both attack and defense. A glue player in the midfield, Lauren is motivated to compete with her teammates and for JMU."

JMU Lacrosse Signing Class
Name                         Pos.     Ht.       Hometown/High School
Caitlin Boden             GK       5-5       Merrick, N.Y./Sacred Heart
Maddie Epke M         5-8       Guilford, Conn./Guilford
Brianna Mennella M         5-6       Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls
Josie Pell M         5-3       Catonsville, Md./Glenelg Country School
Jordan Peterson          A          5-10     Sparks, Md./Hereford
Courtney Quirk D 5-7       Londonderry, N.H./Brewster Academy
Olivia Rongo M         5-11     Westhampton, N.Y./Westhampton Beach
Lauren Savage            M         5-5       Catonsville, Md./Maryvale Prep

The Dukes are coming off a 2021 COVID-condensed season with an overall record of 12-5 (.706). JMU reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to top-ranked North Carolina. The 2018 National Champions will look to make a seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament in 2022, excluding the 2020 season which was canceled due to COVID.

Today's National Signing Day class represents the JMU class of 2026. JMU Athletics recently announced a contract extension for Klaes through the 2026 season.

Check back shortly for the full 2022 lacrosse schedule. The Dukes will have many exciting games coming up in the spring, with matchups against top-ranked opponents.