May 23, 2005
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Columbia field hockey program welcomes six newcomers in the class of 2009, head coach Katie Beach announced today. Jacqueline Munro, Mary Catherine Bullock, Megan Davidson, Jackie Klatsky, Gena Miller and Kelly Robinson combine to form one of the most athletic and highly touted classes in the program's nine-year history.
Munro, a hard-nosed defender from Andover, Mass., was a four-year varsity letterwinner and a three-year starter for Andover High School. In 2004, she was the Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year and a Boston Herald All-Scholastic selection. Munro was a three-sport athlete at Andover who played ice hockey and lacrosse in addition to field hockey. In her senior season, Munro led the MVC conference in assists (18) and led her team in individual scoring with 27 points on nine goals and 18 assists.
Andover won the MVC league championship for all three years she was a starter (2002, 2003, 2004). The team advanced to the North Sectional Finals in `04 and earned the team gold medal at the Massachusetts Bay State Games.
"Jacqueline is an imposing defender who has the ability to set the tone from the backfield," Beach said. "She has impressive strength with the ball and I'm excited to see her adjustment to the collegiate game."
Mary Catherine Bullock, a midfielder/defender from Bryn Mawr, Pa., was a first team All-Main Line player for Merion Mercy Academy. Bullock was the 2004 team captain and a Main Line Life All-Star first team honoree.
"Mary Catherine is a versatile player with speed and energy," Beach commented. "She has a relentless passion on the field and she plays for the team. She will give us more depth and some definite speed."
Megan Davidson played for Wilson High School (Sinking Spring, Pa.), Coach Beach's alma mater. Davidson was a four-year varsity field hockey starter at Wilson, earning All-State distinction twice in her tenure, including honorable mention as a junior and first team honors as a senior. Davidson, the team captain in 2004, was the team leader in points as a junior and senior, while earning All-County honors both seasons as well.
"Megan Davidson stands out on the field," Beach said. "She is an excellent playmaker and she is as strong academically as she is athletically."
Davidson was named a National Field Hockey Coaches Association High School All-Academic Team, in which student-athletes must have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.8 in order to be considered. She also earned All-Academic team honors for the Pennsylvania State Field Hockey Coaches Association in 2004.
"She's an excellent playmaker and a student-athlete that always strives to compete on the highest level, " Coach Beach said. "She has the heart and desire that can drive a team."
The lone goalkeeper in the group is Gena Miller from St. Louis, Mo., she is also the first Columbia hockey player from the Show Me State.
As a junior, her team posted a 20-4 record with Miller posting 12 shutouts, a 0.71 goals against average and a .897 save percentage. The team was second in the Midwest tournament, while Miller earned All-League and first team All-Metro honors.
As a senior, the John Burroughs School won the MWAA championship and finished with a record of 18-3 overall. Miller totaled 12 shutouts and compiled a .905 save percentage en route to earning first team all-league and NFHCA West Regional Team honors.
"Gena brings a tremendous commitment and excitement to the field," Beach said. "She is a true team player with heart and passion and that, combined with her explosive footwork and communication, make her a force in goal."
Jackie Klatsky is another multi-sport athlete hailing from Holmdel, N.J. Klatsky played both basketball and field hockey for Holmdel High School and was All-League and team Most Valuable Player in both.
Klatsky was the Monmouth County Offensive Player of the Year in field hockey, as well as a first team All-County, All-Division and second team All-Shore honoree as a senior. A two-year captain, she was the leading scorer as a sophomore and the leader in assists as a junior and senior.
"Jackie is extremely coachable and her athleticism is outstanding," said Beach. "She hasn't been playing long, but she has great speed and her competitive drive makes her a leader on the field."
Kelly Robinson of Ardmore, Pa. rounds out the class of 2009. The midfielder was team captain of Episcopal Academy and a first team All-Inter-Ac and All-Main Line player. Robinson was named the Team of 1994 Award for Most Valuable Player at Episcopal as a senior.
Robinson is the younger sister of current Columbia field hockey starter and 2005 team captain Courtney Robinson. "Kelly's strength and endurance are very impressive," Beach said. "She sees the game well and her indoor experience has given her the ability to make quick decisions on the field."
"I'm excited to have the Robinson family around for another four years."
The Lions will look to continue to improve on their 5-11, 2-5 Ivy record from the 2004 season, in which they more than tripled their win total from 2003 and improved their scoring differential by more than 40 goals.
"This is an athletic, coachable group of players that is both academically and athletically gifted," Coach Beach said. "They will give us depth, charisma and an outstanding work ethic."
