Temple University Athletics
Lacrosse Adds Transfer, Hoffman and Nakrasius to Return
8.3.20 | Women's Lacrosse
PHILADELPHIA - Temple lacrosse has completed its 2021 roster with the addition of transfer Shana Hecht, as well as the return of seniors Meghan Hoffman and Kara Nakrasius, as announced by head coach Bonnie Rosen. Hoffman and Nakrasius are utilizing a fifth year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the 2020 season being cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are excited to welcome Shana to the Temple lacrosse family," Rosen said. "She will join our outstanding goalie team of Olivia Martin and Eryn Beal. While she didn't start out was an Owl, it's clear that she brings to our team the qualities that make her an Owl. She is a competitive and enthusiastic team player who is driven to achieve on the field and in the classroom."
Hecht, a transfer from Sacred Heart, is a two-time NEC Rookie of the Week and played in 14 games with 13 starts during her time with the Pioneers. She recorded 104 career saves, allowing 147 goals for a 14.34 career GAA and .414 save percentage. Hecht posted a career-high 14 saves in her collegiate debut against New Hampshire, and picked up 27 ground balls and four caused turnovers in two seasons.Â
"I am so excited to become part of the Owl family," Hecht said. "I chose to join the Temple community because of the legacy, the competitive athletics program, strong academics, and being located in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. I look forward to getting back on the field with the team, working with the coaches, studying at the Fox School of Business, and competing in the American Athletic Conference. I am also so thankful for the Temple lacrosse staff for helping me in this process during a time of uncertainty. I look forward to representing the Cherry and White on and off the field."
Hoffman saw action in all nine games with eight starts in the shortened 2020 campaign. She scored 14 goals for a career total of 45, and led the team with 12 assists and 26 points. Her 1.25 assists per game came in seventh in the league. The Fallston, Md. native picked up eight ground balls and caused two turnovers, and was fourth on the team in shots with 30.Â
"After much consideration, I am excited to announce my return to Temple for another year," Hoffman said. "The way this past year ended left unfinished business and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play another year alongside my best friends. This opportunity gives me the chance to further my education and play the sport I love for one more year. I can't wait to see what 2021 has in store and am so grateful I was presented this opportunity."
Nakrasius lead the team in draw controls with 47 in 2020, and ranked third in the conference in draw controls per game (5.25). She posted a season-high 12 draw controls against Saint Joseph's and set the program record for career draw controls with 186. The Garnet Valley, Pa. native's 120 career ground balls are 11 shy of tying for ninth in program history, and her 60 career caused turnovers rank ninth in program history.
"After much thought and consideration, I am grateful to announce my return to play at Temple next year," Nakrasius said. "After the 2020 season was cut short, I was not ready to hang up my turfs just yet. This past year has left me feeling hungry to finish what our team was just starting. This is an opportunity that will allow me to have another year with my best friends and to further my education. I am beyond grateful for the NCAA, Temple Athletics, and our coaching staff for allowing this to be a possibility. I can't wait to play another year of the sport I love and to see what 2021 has to offer!"
"We are so excited that both Meghan and Kara have chosen and were able to come back and use their fifth year of eligibility," Rosen said. "Their experience, wisdom, and perspective will provide invaluable leadership for our program, not to mention the impact that their skills, athletic ability, and lacrosse IQ will have on the field. They were a part of a fantastic senior class whose season got cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no doubt that they will bring a sense of unfinished business on behalf of themselves and their class to this year's team. Their passion and enthusiasm for playing lacrosse, wanting to be a part of this year's team, and love for Temple makes them a perfect fit to return. For me personally, I feel so fortunate to get one more year to coach them at Temple!"
The Owls lost eight seniors from the 2020 roster and will welcome eight freshmen for the 2021 season.
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"We are excited to welcome Shana to the Temple lacrosse family," Rosen said. "She will join our outstanding goalie team of Olivia Martin and Eryn Beal. While she didn't start out was an Owl, it's clear that she brings to our team the qualities that make her an Owl. She is a competitive and enthusiastic team player who is driven to achieve on the field and in the classroom."
Hecht, a transfer from Sacred Heart, is a two-time NEC Rookie of the Week and played in 14 games with 13 starts during her time with the Pioneers. She recorded 104 career saves, allowing 147 goals for a 14.34 career GAA and .414 save percentage. Hecht posted a career-high 14 saves in her collegiate debut against New Hampshire, and picked up 27 ground balls and four caused turnovers in two seasons.Â
"I am so excited to become part of the Owl family," Hecht said. "I chose to join the Temple community because of the legacy, the competitive athletics program, strong academics, and being located in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. I look forward to getting back on the field with the team, working with the coaches, studying at the Fox School of Business, and competing in the American Athletic Conference. I am also so thankful for the Temple lacrosse staff for helping me in this process during a time of uncertainty. I look forward to representing the Cherry and White on and off the field."
Hoffman saw action in all nine games with eight starts in the shortened 2020 campaign. She scored 14 goals for a career total of 45, and led the team with 12 assists and 26 points. Her 1.25 assists per game came in seventh in the league. The Fallston, Md. native picked up eight ground balls and caused two turnovers, and was fourth on the team in shots with 30.Â
"After much consideration, I am excited to announce my return to Temple for another year," Hoffman said. "The way this past year ended left unfinished business and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play another year alongside my best friends. This opportunity gives me the chance to further my education and play the sport I love for one more year. I can't wait to see what 2021 has in store and am so grateful I was presented this opportunity."
Nakrasius lead the team in draw controls with 47 in 2020, and ranked third in the conference in draw controls per game (5.25). She posted a season-high 12 draw controls against Saint Joseph's and set the program record for career draw controls with 186. The Garnet Valley, Pa. native's 120 career ground balls are 11 shy of tying for ninth in program history, and her 60 career caused turnovers rank ninth in program history.
"After much thought and consideration, I am grateful to announce my return to play at Temple next year," Nakrasius said. "After the 2020 season was cut short, I was not ready to hang up my turfs just yet. This past year has left me feeling hungry to finish what our team was just starting. This is an opportunity that will allow me to have another year with my best friends and to further my education. I am beyond grateful for the NCAA, Temple Athletics, and our coaching staff for allowing this to be a possibility. I can't wait to play another year of the sport I love and to see what 2021 has to offer!"
"We are so excited that both Meghan and Kara have chosen and were able to come back and use their fifth year of eligibility," Rosen said. "Their experience, wisdom, and perspective will provide invaluable leadership for our program, not to mention the impact that their skills, athletic ability, and lacrosse IQ will have on the field. They were a part of a fantastic senior class whose season got cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no doubt that they will bring a sense of unfinished business on behalf of themselves and their class to this year's team. Their passion and enthusiasm for playing lacrosse, wanting to be a part of this year's team, and love for Temple makes them a perfect fit to return. For me personally, I feel so fortunate to get one more year to coach them at Temple!"
The Owls lost eight seniors from the 2020 roster and will welcome eight freshmen for the 2021 season.
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Players Mentioned
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