W. lax has promising new class

The Boston University women’s lacrosse team went back to some familiar surroundings when it came time to fill next year’s freshman class. BU Coach Liza Shoemaker announced the signing of four players on Monday to begin play in 2004, two of whom attended the same high school as past and present Terriers.

Defender Noelle Hopper comes from Mt. Hebron High School in Ellicot City, Md. The school, home to one of the nation’s most successful lacrosse programs, is the alma mater of current Terrier Liz Eberhart, all-time BU leading scorer Chrissy Lombard, 2002 graduate Katie Nordhoff and 2001 grad Kyle Rutkowski.

Hopper, who also played varsity field hockey at Mt. Hebron, helped her team win its 10th state championship in 11 years during her junior season. She also teamed up with Angie Martin, another incoming BU freshman lacrosse player, on a club lacrosse team.

Martin, currently a senior at Seton Keough High School in Baltimore, Md., was a 2002 Academic All-American and an attacker on the Mid-Atlantic First Team at the 2002 National Tournament. Martin was instrumental for Seton Keough last year, as the team finished its best season in school history with a record of 15-6. Along with showing her skills on the lacrosse field, Martin played varsity soccer and basketball, leading the Seton Keough hoops team to a 25-6 record in 2001-2002 and a No. 1 area ranking from the Baltimore Sun.

Defender Stephanie Merkasis also hails from a prestigious lacrosse program, and the home of past Terriers. Merkasis was a four-year varsity letter-winner at Cicero North Syracuse High School, the former home of Michelle Ellsworth and Karen Trait, BU class of 2000 lacrosse players. The two-time all-league selection was a member of the New York State First Team at the 2002 National Tournament and attended the National Player Development Camp last summer. Like Martin and Hopper, Merkasis is an all-around athlete, playing varsity soccer, basketball and tennis in high school.

Midfielder Nicole Cooper of Smithtown High School in Smithtown, N.Y. rounds out this group of four BU freshmen. Cooper, honored as a member of the U.S. High School All-American Team after her junior season, was one of 117 players asked to try out for the U.S. Under-19 National Team, with the chance of playing in the 2003 World Championships. Cooper, who captained the Smithtown High soccer team to a Suffolk County Championship last fall, teamed up with Merkasis on the 2002 New York State First Team.

Three Men’s Soccer Players Honored as All-New England Selections Junior midfielder Andrew Dorman led a group of three men’s soccer players named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-New England team, which was announced Monday. Dorman’s selection to the first team was complimented by third team honors for senior midfielder Anthony D’Angelo and sophomore defender Erik Evjen.

Dorman, who was named to the first team for the second consecutive year, led the America East Conference in assists and ranked in the top 20 nationally, averaging .59 helpers per game. His 1.29 points per game led the Terriers, as did his six goals and 22 points.

D’Angelo, who started all 72 games of his four-year career at BU, received his first All-New England selection. He anchored the BU midfield and scored three goals in 2002 and was a First Team All-Conference selection.

As the big man in the middle of the Terrier defense, Evjen anchored a squad that allowed only 1.25 goals per game, good enough for second in the league in that category. The two-time America East Second Team selection was one of seven Terriers to start all 17 games this season.