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Field Hockey Adds Four To Incoming Class
May 27, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass field hockey head coach Justine Sowry has announced the addition of four student-athletes to the Minutewomen's incoming class for 2010. Lindsay Bowman (Palmyra, Pa.), Molly MacDonnell (Clifton, Va.), Melanie Sutherland (Farnham, England), and Thando Zono (Grahamstown, South Africa) join seven previously announced newcomers for the 11-time Atlantic 10 Champion UMass program. "I have incredible excitement and enthusiasm thinking about our 2010 season," Sowry said. "Much of this stems from the addition of four strong young women who will enhance and strengthen our squad over the coming years. We have a challenging regular season schedule, but it will prepare us for the Atlantic 10 play in October. We are young in experience and will have some growing pains along the way, but I am confident we have the talent and the depth to have a successful season."
Lindsay Bowman is a 5-3 forward from Palmyra, Pa. where she was a four-year member of the storied Palmyra High School varsity team. A full-time starter her junior and senior seasons, she served as team captain in 2009. Bowman was named All-State second team twice, in 2008 and 2009, while also earning Mid-Penn Conference All-Star and Lebanon County First Team All-Star honors both seasons as well. She won the Palmyra High SCIJ (strength, courage, intensity, joy) Award in both her junior and senior seasons, while in the classroom is a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll. "I loved the vibe I got from both the coaches and the girls," Bowman said. "After meeting with Coach Sowry and hearing her expectations for the 2010 season, I knew it was going to be challenge which was something I was looking for. I felt as if this group of people had a strong bond and could serve as my family away from home." "Lindsay is a phenomenal competitor with tremendous speed and athleticism," Sowry said. "She hails from the great Palmyra High School program and we couldn't be more excited to have Lindsay join our program this season. She will no doubt add some spice on our forward line in her freshman year."
Molly MacDonnell is a 5-4 midfielder/forward from Clifton, Va. where she played four years for Centreville High School. She is coming off a 2009 senior campaign in which she, as team captain, led her team to a District Championship and to the Regional Quarterfinals with a record of 15-3. MacDonnell earned back-to-back First Team All-Concorde District honors in 2008 and 2009, while taking home All-Concorde Tournament honors in 2008 and All-Northern Region Tournament honors in 2009. Her team's MVP as a junior, she has also been a member of the US Field Hockey Futures program since 2007. A National Honor Society member, MacDonnell was awarded the Wildcat Spirit Award for outstanding character. A three-sport athlete, she has earned a total of 12 letters in field hockey, indoor track, and soccer, serving as team captain in all three as a senior. "I immediately knew UMass was the perfect fit for me," MacDonnell said. "The coaching staff, team, and facilities are wonderful and the perfect balance to help me to succeed as a player." "Molly has a vibrant and positive attitude and will be an integral member of the UMass field hockey team," Sowry said. "Molly can play multiple positions and her speed will enable her to apply pressure on our opponents on both sides of the ball."
Melanie Sutherland is a midfielder/forward from Farnham, England where she attended high school at Seaford College where she played two seasons in 2008 and 2009. Sutherland has played internationally on many occasions, playing on field hockey tours in Canada (2009), Spain (2007), and South Africa (2005). She plays club hockey for the Trojans Hockey Club. Sutherland was part of the selection process for the England Squad, making her way through the Regional Performance Centre and was captain of the England U18 Eastleigh Leopards in 2009. An all-around athlete that competes in many sports, Sutherland was a also a five-year member of the Combined Cadet Force. "America is improving and growing its sports to succeed even higher and I would love to be part of this upward climb to reach the very top while enjoying the education from one of the most respected universities in the country," Sutherland said. "Mel is an extremely well-rounded student-athlete and will add versatility to our squad with her ability to play across the lines," Sowry said. "She is a great athlete whose energy and enthusiasm will provide a boost to the current line-up."
Thandolwethu (Thando) Zono is a 5-7 defender from Grahamstown, South Africa where she attended Victoria Girls' School. Thando (pronounced TAN-doe) enrolled and attended UMass for the Spring 2010 semester and will be a junior in the fall. She was a 2009 member of the South African U21 Hockey World Cup Team and a member of the South African U19 National Team. She attended Rhodes University where she was a nominee for the school's Sportswoman of the Year Award the last two years. In 2008, Zono was a member of the South African U18 National Team, a member of the Eastern Province U18 Team on which she served as team captain, and was the field hockey winner at the Makana Civic Awards. She also played tennis on the Eastern Province U18 Team. "UMass has a great hockey program, and with the experience and knowledge that the coaching staff has, there's no other place that I could possibly be," Zono said. "I also know that UMass is a renowned university and has so much to offer." "Thando provides our team with passion, energy and an advanced skill level," Sowry said. "She will most likely see time in the backfield, but has the ability to move through into the midfield if necessary. Thando has a great attitude and zest for life and has the potential to significantly impact the program."
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