Sacred Heart Field Hockey Announces Incoming Recruiting Class

April 2, 2009

Fairfield, CT - Head Coach Chris Blais has announced the incoming recruiting class for the Sacred Heart field hockey team. When the Pioneers hit the field this fall they will welcome six new faces to their ranks. The group of incoming student-athletes includes two forwards, two midfielders and two defenders.

Leading the Pioneers recruiting class is Mequon, WI native Lindsay Kasten (Fair Haven, NJ). The high powered forward led her University School of Milwaukee team in scoring for three straight seasons before moving to New Jersey and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School where she once again led her team in scoring and finished with her career with 137 points. The honor-roll student was a multiple time All-Division, All-Conference, All-County and All-State selection during her career.

"Lindsay is a quick and powerful forward," Blais said. "She is a point getter and should play a very important role for SHU immediately."

Joining Kasten up front on Campus Field will be Leah Salindong (Spring City, PA). A standout at Owen J. Roberts High School, Salindong was a team captain during her senior season. She was an All-Conference and All-Area selection this past season as well. Following her junior season in 2007, she was named Most Improved Player and also participated in the Junior Olympics.

"Leah is a very fast forward who has incredible vision on the ball," Blais said. "Her vision as well as her defensive skills may allow her to play in both the midfield and attack."

Two new midfielders will don the red and white this fall as Karly Duven (Freehold, NJ) and Nikki Kimborowicz (Biddeford, ME) join the Pioneers. Duven was a team captain at Freehold High School where she was also a member of the National Honor Society and Italian Honor Society. She was an All-Division selection as well as being named 2nd Team All-Jersey Shore, 2nd team All-Monmouth County and 2nd Team All-Digital.

A team captain at Biddeford High School, Kimborowicz was a four year All-Conference selection. She was a three-time MVP and three time All-State selection. She also was named an All-Star by the Journal-Tribune three years in a row.

"Both of our new midfielders bring much desire and determination to our squad," Blais said. "They have great work ethic and skill and can contribute right away to our team."

On defense the Pioneers welcome in Kim Pobutkiewicz (West Long Branch, NJ) and Maddie Hoeppner (Buckland, MA). Pobutkiewicz was a stand-out player at Shore Regional High School where she was a team captain for a team that won three straight conference championships. She was a first team All-Shore selection in her final two seasons and was named the 2007 Player of the Year by Digital Sports. The honor roll student was also a Group 1 First Team selection in 2007 and a second team selection in 2006.

"Kim comes from a very successful high school field hockey program," Blais said. "She knows how to win and is extremely competitive. She is a very smart defender with the skills to move quickly to attack"

Hoppener was a first team All-Conference selection in her final two seasons at Mohwak Trail Regional High School. She was a team captain her senior year, when she was named team MVP and was a member of the Massachusetts "Super 7." In addition to her field hockey accomplishments, Hoppener also was a member of the National Honor Society for three years, serving as the President during her senior year.

"Maddie's is a mature, talented, and incredibly knowledgeable defender whom we feel will be an immediate impact player for SHU," Blais said. "We are extremely happy that Maddie has decided to become a Pioneer and are excited about her future at Sacred Heart."

"Overall I feel we have a strong group of incoming freshmen," Blais said. "They are well balanced players and we hope many of them can contribute to the Sacred Heart field hockey program right away."