Field Hockey Signs Seven Pennsylvania Recruits for the 2014 Season

2014 Temple Field Hockey Roster

PHILADELPHIA – Temple field hockey coach Amanda Janney has signed seven student-athletes for the 2014 season, an incoming class of true freshmen who all represent the state of Pennsylvania.

The seven recruits are Maiyah Brown (Allentown, Pa./William Allen), Madison Gouza (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North), Samantha Grzegorczyk (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East), Ashley Kucera (Spring City, Pa./Owen J. Roberts), Hattie Kuhns (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood), Rachael Mueller (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) and Maris Stern (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton Area).

"After being ranked 17th in the nation at the end of our season and having a great first year in the BIG EAST Conference, we are very pleased with our seven recruits who will be joining our team," said Janney. "Our coaching staff has worked hard to recruit from the best high schools and club teams in the nation. My assistant coaches, Kelly and Danica, and I, have searched for players who fit well with our team's culture of hard work and dedication to the team.

"These seven players are extremely talented both on the field and in the classroom, and we are thrilled that they have committed to be a part of our Temple Field Hockey family."

Maiyah Brown

Brown scored 36 goals for her William Allen High School team, and was a two-time Lehigh Valley All-Star as well as an all-area selection her senior year. She also recorded 22 assists for her team, and served for two years on the conference's Student Athletic Council. Brown earned four varsity letters in field hockey and another three as a member of the track and field team. She plans to major in sport management at Temple.

"The coaches and players definitely influenced me to attend Temple," said Brown. "They are great people and made each and every one of my visits enjoyable. The vibe of the team makes me believe this is a place I would definitely enjoy being for the next four years of my life!"

Highlight Videos of Brown

Madison Gouza

Gouza is a three-year letterwinner for Council Rock North High School, and was team captain as a senior. Also in her senior year, Gouza was named one of Bucks County Courier Times Top 5 Players to Watch and was a first team all-league selection as a well as a second team all-state selection. She scored 16 goals and added six assists in leading her team to a 13-3 record, and finished in the top 10 in points in the league. As a junior, Gouza was named to the Bucks County Courier Times Golden Team and to the all-league second team. Her 14 assists were the second-most in the conference during her junior year.

Along with playing for Council Rock, Gouza was a member of the Mystx Field Hockey Club and participated for four years in the National Indoor Tournament and National Outdoor Club Championship, and two years in both the Junior Premier Indoor League and National Hockey Festival. Gouza plans to major in kinesiology at Temple.

Highlight Video of Gouza

Samantha Grzegorczyk

Sam Grzegorczyk was her team's most valued player as a senior goalkeeper for Central Bucks East. She also earned third team all-league honors as a senior, and was All-Intel honorable mention. In the cage, Grzegorczyk made 187 saves in her final prep season, while allowing just 31 goals. With her club team, the Mystx Storm, she placed third at NIT Qualifiers in 2012 and made the all-tournament teams at the Disney Showcase and Big Apple Tournaments.

"I was interested in Temple's academic programs and possible pre-med courses," said Grzegorczyk, "as well as in being able to play field hockey at the Division I level for a great team." She plans to major in kinesiology at Temple.

Highlight Video of Grzegorczyk

Ashley Kucera

Kucera was a three-year letterwinner at Owen J. Roberts High School, and helped lead her team to the district semifinals and state tournament as a senior. She was named first team all-conference in her senior year, and earned honorable mention selection as a junior. In her sophomore year, the team won both the conference and district titles. Her club team, XCalibur Panthers, won its qualifier at the National Invitation Tournament. Kucera also earned a varsity letter in both softball and track and field, and participated in the 4x100 at the Penn Relays with her track team. She plans to major in physical therapy at Temple.

Owen J. Roberts has also produced current Temple players Amanda Fuertsch and Taylor Shronk. "Both Amanda and Taylor had a huge impact on me looking into and attending Temple," said Kucera. "They are great role models and I am so grateful to be able to further my hockey career with them as teammates! I really look up to them as individuals and as players."

Highlight Video of Kucera

Hattie Kuhns

Kuhns was named her league's MVP as a senior at Greenwood High School, where she was a three-year letterwinner. Also in her senior year, Kuhns earned second team all-state honors while leading her team to county and league titles for the third straight year. She was a two-time league first team all-star, and an all-area first team selection as a senior. Greenwood advanced to the state final four in Kuhns' junior year and was runner-up in the district. She was a multi-sport athlete, earning four letters in track and field and three in basketball.

Temple alum Kaylee Keener ('12) also attended Greenwood, and was part of Kuhns' decision to become an Owl. "I became interested in Temple because I wanted to play Division I field hockey and major in sports management," said Kuhns. "Kaylee is also a family friend and had an excellent experience playing for Temple."

Highlight Video of Kuhns

Rachel Mueller

Mueller earned three varsity letters at William Tennent High School, and the Courier Times Player of the Year as a senior along with being an all-state honorable mention selection. She was twice named to the all-league first team, and earned third team honors as a sophomore. Her team made appearances in the district playoffs in both her sophomore and junior seasons. A multi-sport athlete, Mueller earned four letters in track and field and two in basketball.

"I love the city atmosphere of Temple," said Mueller, "and I've wanted to attend the university since I was younger." Mueller, who earned first honors throughout high school, plans to major in secondary education at Temple.

Highlight Video of Mueller

Maris Stern

Stern is a four-year letterwinner at Lehighton Area High School, the same school as current Temple freshman Sarah Keer. She is a two-time second team all-conference selection, and served as team captain in her senior year. Stern led the team in assists as a senior, and was named the team's Offensive MVP. Her team was a state finalist in her freshman year with a 24-2 record. With her club team, Pyramid Evolution, Stern earned a gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal at Keystone State Games during the summers. She also earned four letters in track at Lehighton, and earned a conference silver medal in the 100 meter hurdles as a junior.

Off the field, Stern has a passion for oil painting, and is a member of the National Art Honor Society which she served as treasurer of in her senior year. Academics played a strong role in her decision to attend Temple. "Temple's Fox School of Business is what interests me most," said Stern, "as I plan on majoring in business marketing. I am also excited to have the opportunity to play Division I field hockey and to be coached by Coach Janney."

Stern's father, Larry, was a two-time Division III All-American in wrestling at Lycoming College, while her brothers, Levi and Briar, are both two-time state qualifiers in the sport at Lehighton. Stern, her father and her brothers have all earned PIAA District XI medals and have participated in PIAA state competitions.

Highlight Video of Stern

Janney is excited for what each of the seven will bring to an already-strong program next year.

"Our goalkeeping has always been one of our team's strengths," she said "and we are excited to add Samantha to our backfield. Maiyah, Hattie, Madison and Maris are feisty attackers who know how to score goals. Rachael and Ashley are midfielders whose hustle and work rate really impressed us. This incoming class has the speed, competitiveness and passion for the game that will continue to propel our team to greatness.

"Our TUFH program took a big step in the right direction this past season with our 14 wins, and we are looking forward to seeing this incoming class make a positive impact on our team."