May 11, 2005
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Ten members of the Class of 2009 join the Columbia lacrosse roster for the 2006 season. The incoming first-year group, which will constitute 42 percent of the roster, consists of "accomplished players from successful teams," notes head coach Kerri Whitaker.
"I'm excited about them. They have a good balance of skills, and range of ability and versatility," Whitaker says. "Some come from established high school programs and some were part of rebuilding a program to a successful level. I think it's important to have experience that."
The group consists of a goalie, three defenders, four midfielders and two attackers. It also may be Columbia lacrosse's most geographically diverse class with student-athletes from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia.
Bettina Anderson (Columbia Col./Midfield/Boca Raton, Fla./St. Andrew's School)
Coach Whitaker on Bettina: "Bettina has great range and size. She covers ground really well as a defensive midfielder. She is curious and picks up the game like a sponge. She's got a lot of potential."
Krista Giannattasio (Columbia Col./Midfield/South Huntington, N.Y./St. Anthony's)
Coach Whitaker on Krista: "Krista is pretty good athlete with speed. She plays smart and is a solid all-around midfielder."
Holly Glynn (Columbia Col./Attack/Waltham, Mass./Waltham)
Coach Whitaker on Holly: "A tough, hard-nosed player who also plays ice hockey. Holly has good size and vision, and is agile. She moves well, turns sharply and can finish."
Jessica Kaminkow (Columbia Col./Defense/Sykesville, Md./Century)
Coach Whitaker on Jessica: "Jessica is a good lateral mover who controls and contains space well. She has good footwork and just plays a smart game in the back."
Julie Manoharan (Columbia Col./Midfield/Windsor, Conn./Loomis Chaffee School)
Coach Whitaker on Julie: "Julie comes from a deep and talented team. She will be one of the fastest athletes on the team. It's a disruptive and awesome speed. She's a defensive midfielder who is coachable and instinctive, and has a tenacity that I really like."
Emma Mintz (Columbia Col./Goalie/Mountain Lakes, N.J./Mountain Lakes)
Coach Whitaker on Emma: "Emma's is an exciting player in and out of the crease. She's athletic and has got good hands. She makes a lot happen as a defensive goalie and can initiate the attack as well."
Lauren Olsen (Columbia Col./Attack/San Diego, Calif./La Jolla)
Coach Whitaker on Lauren: "An attacker, Lauren plays the game a lot like a point guard for a basketball team. She has really good vision and timing, she plays well in open field and tight spaces, and has good feeds. She knows how to score too, with over 100 points last year."
Rachael Ryan (Columbia Col./Midfield/Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood)
Coach Whitaker on Rachael: "Rachel is speedy and smart. She sees the field really well and understands basic movement. She is intelligent and instinctive, and serves the ball the same way. She's got good hands and has a quick release."
Ellie Schneiders (Columbia Col./Defense/Greenwood Village, Colo./Cherry Creek)
Coach Whitaker on Ellie: "Ellie is smart and coachable with good strength and footwork. She is consistent and reliable in transition going backward and forward, and in set pieces."
Caroline Van den Berg (Columbia Col./Defense/Alexandria, Va./St. Stephens and St. Agnes School)
Coach Whitaker on Caroline: "Caroline comes from a high-powered lacrosse program. She has a lot of upside and has improved so much in the last few years. She's really athletic, very strong, and has good presence and command in the back. She knows the game well and knows what to do on- and off-ball."
