May 15, 2012
STANFORD, Calif.- Stanford head coach Tara Danielson has announced the signing of six recruits to National Letters of Intent. The group will join the Cardinal for the 2012 campaign.
The class includes: Lauren Becker (Wissahickon, Pa.), Jess Chisholm (Tauranga, New Zealand), Clemence Couteau (Campbell, Calif.), Catherine Dawson (Houston, Texas), Samantha Neuber (Phoenixville, Pa.) and Maddie Secco (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada).
"We are really excited to welcome these talented student-athletes as part of our program," said head coach Tara Danielson, who is 32-10 at the helm in two years on The Farm. "In addition to bringing an aggressive and high-energy approach to the game, this class demonstrates consistency in achievement, attitude and effort on the field and in the classroom. They will contribute greatly to our culture, and we look forward to continuing to develop them both on and off the field in the years to come."
A 5-5 attacker, Becker arrives on The Farm from Wissahickon High School and her hometown of Wissahickon, Pa. A two-time team captain, Becker was named Player of the Year by two different organizations (Times Herald, Suburban One American) and guided her squad to four league championships and the PIAA District title. A first-team all-state honoree, Becker also earned first-team all-league accolades as she led the Suburban One League in scoring. A Futures Elite participant, Becker has also competed at the National Field Hockey Festival, Junior National Camp and the National Indoor Tournament. She possesses playing experience with the USAFH National Futures Championship and the AAU Junior Olympics. Becker has also excelled in the classroom, as a member of the Johns Hopkins Scholar Program and Distinguished Honor Roll.
 Jess Chisholm  |
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Chisholm is a 5-5 attacker from Tauranga, New Zealand, where she prepped at the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls. Chisholm owns a wealth of national team experience with New Zealand, competing as a member of the country's U18 squad after capturing a bronze medal at the Youth Olympic Games with the U17 team. Chisholm is just as strong academically, receiving certification at the NCEA Level 1 and 2 with Excellence and Level 3 with Merit.
A 5-6 midfielder from Campbell, Couteau was a three-year letterwinner at Archbishop Mitty. Couteau captained her team to an undefeated senior season and BVAL championship while earning league MVP honors along the way. The 2011 Central Coast Section Co-Player of the Year, Couteau was also named the San Jose Mercury News Player of the Year as a senior. Those accomplishments came on the heels of a strong junior year, in which Couteau was named a BVAL All-League First Team pick and Central Coast Section First Team honoree. A Futures Elite participant this year, Couteau competed at the National Futures Championship for five years and earned a silver medal in 2011. She also was a four-year letterwinner in track and field and Scholar Athlete award winner in the sport. Couteau is an AP Scholar and member of the National Honors Society.
Dawson, a 5-8 attacker, hails from Houston, Texas, where she was a three-year varsity starter and senior captain at St. John's School. A 2011 All-Southwest Prep Conference selection, Dawson led her squad to three South Zone titles (2009-11) and a 2011 Southwest Preparatory Conference championship. A Futures participant from 2007-12, Dawson competed at the Festival Tournament from 2009-11 as a member of the Houston Hockey Club and Texas Pride Field Hockey programs. A member of student government all four years, Dawson's accolades in the classroom also include an NFHCA Gladiator National Academic Squad selection and Athletic Excellence in Field Hockey honor.
A 5-5 defender from Phoenixville, Pa., Neuber prepped at The Agnes Irwin School. A member of the Junior National Women's Indoor Team from 2011-12, Neuber is a five-time National Indoor Tournament Pool champion and earned high scorer honors in 2011. A two-time National Hockey Festival Pool champion (2009-10), Neuber competed for the 2011 National Futures Championship team that came away with a bronze medal. Selected to train at the Futures Elite site from 2010-12, Neuber has been active with USA Field Hockey Futures competition since 2009. Neuber has achieved a high level of success off the turf as well, as a four-time recipient of the National Spanish Honors award.
 Samantha Neuber |
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Secco is a 5-5 midfielder from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where she attended Oak Bay Secondary School. Secco possesses a wealth of national team experience as a member of the Canadian Senior Women's Field Hockey Team since the age of 16, representing her country at the 2012 Olympic qualifier and 2011 Japan series. Additionally, Secco has been a member of the Canadian Junior Women's Field Hockey Team since she was 15, and captained the U14 and U16 squads of the British Columbia Provincial Field Hockey Teams. A versatile athlete, Secco also participated in basketball, cross country and track and field while serving as captain of her soccer team. She also carried a 5.0 GPA throughout high school.
Completing one of the most impressive seasons in school history in 2011, Stanford (17-4, 6-0 NorPac) tied a school record for victories, reached its highest-ever national ranking at No. 6 and sported a top-10 RPI for the entire season. Boasting six top-20 victories, the Cardinal earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.