WASHINGTON – The American University women's lacrosse team is excited to announce the signing of eleven talented prospects for the 2022 season, first-year head coach Lindsay Teeters released on Monday.
 
"I'm honored to announce the eleven incredible student-athletes that will be joining the American University lacrosse family. This group brings a wealth of skill and athleticism to our program," said Teeters, who joined the program in July. "Each player is the model Patriot League student-athlete who understands and values their education, all while wanting to make their mark on a program and compete at the highest level. These young women will help propel our program forward as we look to bring home our first Patriot League Championship since 2003."
 

NAME	HT.	POSITION	HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL)
Alyssa Apuzzo	5-5	Attack	West Babylon, N.Y. (West Babylon)
Becca Frank	5-10	Defense	Baltimore, Md. (The Park School of Baltimore)
Juliet Kuenzler	5-10	Defense	Centerport, N.Y. (Harborfields)
Alyssa Nilles	5-8	Defense/Midfield	Park Ridge, Ill. (Maine South)
Jaime Petronis	5-4	Attack	Olney, Md. (Sherwood)
Kate Petronis	5-4	Attack	Olney, Md. (Sherwood)
Lexi Rakis	5-7	Goalkeeper	Olney, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel)
Darby Sherrod	5-5	Defense	Centennial, Colo. (Arapahoe)
Ashley Smith	5-5	Attack	Chatham, N.J. (Chatham)
Maddy Spratt	5-7	Midfield/Attack	Yardley, Pa. (Pennsbury)
Jenna Walls	5-9	Defense	Haddonfield, N.J. (Haddonfield Memorial)

ALYSSA APUZZO
West Babylon, N.Y. (West Babylon) | Club: Long Island Top Guns
Attack | 5-5

• Parents are Lisa and Carmine Apuzzo …She has two siblings, CJ and Joey … Cousin, Sam Apuzzo, played lacrosse for Boston College and now plays professionally in the WPLL for the New York Fight

Noteworthy…

• Helped lead her team to three consecutive winning seasons, including a 14-4 record as a junior
• She has 41 career goals and 15 career assists heading into her senior season
• Also competed in soccer, track, and basketball during high school

Why she chose AU: "American University is an amazing academic school. They offer a brilliant pre-med program that will open up many opportunities for me in the future, and it's a train ride away from one of the most historic cities in the country. Not only will I learn from my environment, I will also be given a chance to live the city life. American's women's lacrosse team is both athletically competitive and extremely gifted in the classroom. AU provides the perfect atmosphere for me to grow as a person, student, and athlete."

 
BECCA FRANK
Baltimore, Md. (The Park School of Baltimore) | Club: TLC
Defense | 5-10

• Parents are Jacqueline and Russell Frank … Father, Russell, played tennis at Washington University in St. Louis

Noteworthy…

• Helped lead her team to back-to-back 9-3 seasons her freshman and sophomore years
• Team finished second in the 2018 conference championship
• 2019 IAAM All-Conference
• She was also an all-conference athlete in field hockey and basketball at The Park School

Why she chose AU: "Similar to my high school, American University has a very inclusive and engaged community, and an on-the-rise women's lacrosse program."
 

JULIET KUENZLER
Centerport, N.Y. (Harborfields) | Club: Team Elevate
Defense | 5-10

• Parents are Lisa Henkel and John Kuenzler … She has three siblings – Rachel, Olivia, and Sarah … Father, John, played baseball at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) … Sister, Rachel, swims for Adelphi University

Noteworthy…

• Helped lead Harborfields to the second round of playoffs as a freshman and sophomore
• She was the 2019 Defender of the Year with her club team, Team Elevate
• She also played volleyball and was all-league in track at Harborfields

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU because of the school's location in the heart of Washington, D.C., its competitive academics, the perfectly sized campus, and the Division I athletics. I love the coaches, and that American is in the Patriot League."


ALYSSA NILLES
Park Ridge, Ill. (Maine South) | Club: True Lacrosse IL
Defense/Midfield | 5-8

• Parents are Cheryl Nilles and Matthew Croke … She has five siblings – Haley Croke, Kelly Croke, Grace Nilles, Katelyn Nilles, and Molly Croke

Noteworthy…

• Two-time IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award winner (2018, 2019)
• Two-time Central Suburban Scholar-Athlete Award (2018, 2019)
• 2019 CSL Sportsmanship Award winner
• Helped lead Maine South to a second-place finish in the conference
• Helped lead her club team to the Top Draw Championship title in 2018
• Club team was ranked 18th in the nation by Inside Lacrosse in 2019
• Also competed in cross country and track in high school

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU because no other community compares to this one. The class and campus size makes it easy to connect with peers and professors. I fell in love with the campus and saw how proud everyone was to be an Eagle. I cannot wait to join them and be a part of the AU lacrosse family!"


JAIME PETRONIS
Olney, Md. (Sherwood) | Club: Rebels
Attack | 5-4

• Parents are Jennifer and Michael Petronis …Twin sister, Kate, will also play lacrosse at American … Cousin, Austin Smith, played lacrosse for St. Joseph's

Noteworthy…

• Helped lead her team to two Sectional titles in 2018 and 2019 with records of 14-2 and 14-1, respectively

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU for the outstanding academics as well as the cohesive and successful lacrosse program. I love the location and the coaching staff, and feel AU is the perfect fit for me! I cannot wait to be part of such a competitive, amazing team and community!"


KATE PETRONIS
Olney, Md. (Sherwood) | Club: Rebels
Attack | 5-4

• Parents are Jennifer and Michael Petronis …Twin sister, Jaime, will also play lacrosse at American … Cousin, Austin Smith, played lacrosse for St. Joseph's

Noteworthy…

• Helped lead her team to two Sectional titles in 2018 and 2019 with records of 14-2 and 14-1, respectively

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU because it gives me the opportunity to not only play on a competitive and talented team, but also receive a great education in the capital of our country! The team and coaching staff are so welcoming, and the campus makes me feel right at home!"


LEXI RAKIS
Olney, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel) | Club: Rebels
Goalkeeper | 5-7

• Parents are Eli and Anthony Rakis … She has two siblings – Sophia and Niko

Noteworthy…

• Made the D.C. Metro National High School Team
• Helped her club team to the 2019 IWLCA title, the 2018 Capitol Cup title
• She made the 2018 UA 150 and the 2017 Nike Elite 120
• She was a two-time tournament MVP with the Rebels

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU for the excellent academics and amazing lacrosse program. In this setting, I look forward to the five-year Master's program and to play with a wonderful group of people for the next four years!"


DARBY SHERROD
Centennial, Colo. (Arapahoe) | Club: 3D Lacrosse
Defense | 5-5

• Parents are Cody and Kevin Sherrod … Has one sibling - Owen

Noteworthy…

• Club team, 3D Lacrosse, was ranked No. 1 in Colorado
• Also competed in field hockey and swim in high school, and was a state qualifier in the 100 breaststroke

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU because of its amazing location, emphasis on academics, and the team atmosphere."

 
ASHLEY SMITH
Chatham, N.J. (Chatham) | Club: BBL Lacrosse
Attack | 5-5

• Parents are Anne and Michael Smith … She has one brother, Joshua … Her aunt, Karen Noble, played golf for Wake Forest and went on to compete in the LPGA from 1992-99

Noteworthy…

• Helped her team to a second-place finish in the 2019 state sectionals
• Also competed in cross country, track, and gymnastics in high school

Why she chose AU: "AU is the perfect place for me because I don't have to settle for anything on my wish list. It is in a perfect location in D.C., has extremely competitive academics, and vast internship opportunities. Finally, the lacrosse team seems one of a kind. When I came on campus and first met some of the players and coaches, I knew I wanted to be a part of this team. They were all so supportive and genuine in the few hours I spent with them and were eager to share all the reasons they chose AU."


MADDY SPRATT
Yardley, Pa. (Pennsbury) | Club: Ultimate NJ
Midfield/Attack | 5-7

• Parents are Michelle and David Spratt … Has one sibling - Holden

Noteworthy…

• Helped lead her team to a 9-2 record as a sophomore
• Led the Suburban One league in total points (129) as a sophomore with 69 goals and 60 assists
• 2019 Suburban One League National Conference First Team
• 2019 Courier Times Girls Lacrosse Golden Team
• 2019 Team Philly Girls Scoring Leaders
• 2018 Suburban One National Conference Honorable Mention
• Also played varsity field hockey for three years

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU because as soon as I stepped on campus I felt at home. Both of my aunts and uncles attended AU and now live in D.C., so I grew up visiting the city and have loved it since I was little. AU also has stellar academics that offer plenty of diverse majors to choose from. But one thing that really enticed me was that the lacrosse program was turning over a new leaf. Not many athletes get a chance to be a part of building a program, and I feel very blessed to be able to contribute to that. All of the coaches made me feel welcome, and I cannot be more excited to step onto campus next fall and play for them."

 
JENNA WALLS
Haddonfield, N.J. (Haddonfield Memorial) | Club: Philadelphia Big-4 HHH
Defense | 5-9

• Parents are Jennifer Naticchia-Walls and Joseph Walls … She has two siblings – Joseph and Juliet … Mother, Jennifer, played field hockey and lacrosse and Princeton … She has two aunts who played field hockey at the collegiate level, and an uncle who played collegiate baseball … She also has three cousins who are competing in Division I athletics – Natalie Naticchia (field hockey at Davidson), Sarah Naticchia (cross country, track at Harvard), and Will Angrick (lacrosse at Notre Dame)

Noteworthy…

• Helped lead her team to two state championship titles in 2018 and 2019
• 2019 First Team All-Conference
• She was also a state champion in field hockey (2017), and two-time conference champion in basketball (2018-20)

Why she chose AU: "I chose AU because it was the best fit academically and athletically for me. American University values leadership and has many famous leaders as alumni and will give me the best opportunity to advance my leadership skills both in the classroom and on the lacrosse field. Finally, AU is in an incredible location, being in Washington, D.C., and I hope to take advantage of all the city has to offer with cultural events, internships, and other diverse experiences."
 
For the latest on American University Lacrosse, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Lacrosse) and Instagram (@au_wlax).