STORRS, Conn. – The UConn Field Hockey program and Head Coach Paul Caddy has announced the incoming class 2024 season. The diverse group includes one graduate transfer and ten incoming freshmen, hailing from both the United States and internationally.
"I am excited to announce our full incoming class for 2024," said Head Coach Paul Caddy. "This group is undoubtedly the strongest and deepest since I became head coach, addressing many important areas for our team. Lila Browne brings a wealth of experience and leadership from her time at Dartmouth. Avi Wagner enhances our goalkeeping talent. Additionally, nine freshman field players provide defensive, creative, and goal-scoring options, complementing our talented returning players. It will be exciting to see this group play together this fall."
The Huskies open their season with a 4:00pm game at home on Nancy Stevens Field against the Saint Joseph's Hawks on Friday, August 30th.
Meet the Incoming Class
Lila Browne
Lila is an incoming graduate transfer student from Del Mar, Calif. Browne previously played four years with the Dartmouth Big Green and was a 2023 All-Ivy League Honorable Mention. Prior to her time at Dartmouth, Browne was selected for the U16 and U19 National Futures Championship and Senior Nexus Championship.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Lila brings a wealth of experience and firepower to our team. Lila started every game during her career at Dartmouth, and I expect her to make an immediate impact on our attack."
Paige Keller
An incoming freshman from Pipersville, Pa. A varsity starter as a freshman at Central Bucks East High School, Keller helped lead her squad to a District I 3A Champion and finished her high school career as a 2x All-State and 2x First Team All-League selection.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Paige was a standout midfielder at Central Bucks East High School. She is a great athlete with a real feel for the game and is a versatile and talented addition to our group.
Samantha Biondi
Sam is an incoming freshman from Bridgewater, N.J. While at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Biondi was named First Team All-Somerset County, First Team All-Skyland Conference, and Second Team All-State. In addition to her time at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Biondi was a prominent athlete on the Centercourt Club team in New Jersey.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Sam comes from Centercourt Club in New Jersey, where she developed into a top striker. Sam is a tremendous addition to our group of forwards."
Avianna Wagner
Avi is an incoming freshman from Philadelphia, Pa. She was selected to play at the U18 2023 Junior Nexus Championship in Virginia Beach, Va. with Team USA. Prior to joining UConn, Wagner spent time at the Philly Hockey Club where she began in 2019 as part of the U16 travel team.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Avi comes to us from Philly Hockey Club. Avi is a tremendous athlete and will create further depth and competition in our goalkeeping position"
Lara Tripp-Smith
Lara is an incoming freshman from Leamington Spa and played field hockey at Princethrope College and played for Leicester City Hockey Club, a Division I North program. In her first year with the Leicester City 1st team, Lara was awarded the Gaynor Nash Young Person Award where her head coach at the time stated, "Lara has been a great addition to the 1st team squad this year, reliable, and a talent to watch for the future."
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Lara took a gap year traveling through Asia and then playing club hockey in Australia. Previously, she was a strong player for the Leicester HC 1st team. Lara will bring top-level experience and a calmness to our group."
Isabel Soeters
Isabel is an incoming freshman from Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands. Soeters played in the highest level of Dutch hockey on the U18-1 Team of Hurley in National League/Landelijk. A three-year member of the North-Holland district team Soeters has participated in several National Championship tournaments prior to committing to UConn.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Isabel is another member of our incoming group with senior women's experience. Hailing from hockey's top nation, Holland, Isabel is an attacking midfield player from the Hurley club. She will provide a crucial link between lines and create opportunities for her teammates in 2v1 situations."
Milou Heuker
Milou is an incoming freshman from Hilversum, Netherlands. She was selected to the U15 district team in 2019-2020. Additionally, Heuker was a consistent contribute with the Laren club in Holland including being an integral part of Laren's U18 National Championship run during the 2022-23 season.
Head Coach Paul Caddy - "Milou has top-level youth hockey experience with the Laren club in Holland. A tall defender with a great range of passing, Milou is a significant addition to both sides of the ball."
Fien Hollander
Fien is an incoming freshman hailing from the Netherlands. Prior to her commitment to UConn, Hollander was a key contributor on one of the top clubs in the Netherlands, HC-Zolle, which finished with a U18 Championship.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Fien joins us from one of the top junior clubs in Holland, HC Zolle. Fien is a strong and gritty defender who loves to attack. Fien is a tough competitor who will bring an edge to our group.
Juul Sauer
Juul is an incoming freshman from the Netherlands. Sauer qualified for the Dutch National Championship and was captain of the O-16 team in HDM. In addition, Juul is a youth coach at HDM and the Panasj Field Hockey Academy.
Head Coach Paul Caddy - "Juul is an outstanding attacking player from HDM, one of the top clubs in Holland. Recently securing the European Championship with the Dutch U-18 National Team, Juul will bring intensity and quality to our forward line."
Sophie Perschk
Sophie is an incoming freshman from Hamburg, Germany. A forward, Perschk was a consistent contributor for one of Germany's top teams in the Bundesliga THC Der Club an der Alster. Perschk was a member of the runner up squad for the indoor Bundesliga Championship. In addition to being a member on one of Germany's top clubs, Perschk has also been a member on the German National Team.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Sophie comes from one of Germany's top clubs, THC Der Club an der Alster, where she competed with the first women's team in the top German League. Sophie will add pace and athleticism to our forward line."
Milaw Clause
Milaw is an incoming freshman from Strousburg, Pa. She was a member of the 2024 Junior Pan American Championship team, competing in Surrey, Canada. She attended Blair Academy where she was named team captain and helped lead her squad to the NJ Prep Division A State Championship. In addition to winning a division championship, Clause was named NJ Pre All-State Selection and First Team All-State.
Head Coach Paul Caddy – "Milaw is our second addition from Centercourt Club. Fresh off the U21 Pan American Championship with Team USA, I expect Milaw to contribute significantly to our group with her athleticism and technical ability.
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