Hempstead, NY - Another exciting day is in store for the Hofstra women's lacrosse program as Head Coach Shannon Smith announced today that 10 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent with the University to begin their academic and athletic careers at Hofstra University beginning in the fall of 2023.

This versatile class features players from five different states and five midfielders, three defenders, and a pair of attackers. 

Joining the Pride is: Abby Catalano (Medford, New Jersey), Kali Clayton (Wilmington, Delaware), Christine Dannenfelser (Bayport, New York), 
Natalie DeMeo (Port Washington, New York), Sara Elmen (Saint James, New York), Lauren Lam (Dana Point, California), Natalie Little (Baltimore, Maryland), 
Kristen Redding (Toms River, New Jersey), Evin Terzioglu (Rochester, New York), and Alexa Shotwell (Newton, New Jersey).

"We are so excited about this outstanding group of young women joining our program," commented Smith. "This class will add a ton of versatility to our roster and position us well for continued success in the near future. They are all very talented student-athletes, who will make us better in all facets of the game."

Catalano, a midfielder, attends Shawnee High School in Medford, NJ. She is a four-year member of the lacrosse team and two-year member of the basketball team for the Renegades. Named First Team All-South Jersey and the South Jersey Defender of the Year, she posted 22 goals, nine assists, 59 draw controls, and 31 caused turnovers as a junior. Catalano comes from a very athletic family as her mother, Pamela, played lacrosse and field hockey at Gettysburg, her father, Charles, played baseball at Davis & Elkins, and her brother, Cole, plays football at Dickinson. She also plays for All American Aim lacrosse club. 

Clayton, a midfielder, is a student at the Tatnall School in Greenville, DE. She was named First Team All-DISC as a junior and Second Team All-State that season as well. Clayton had 50 goals and 41 assists as a junior and 59 goals and 48 assists as a sophomore. Several members of her family have played collegiate or professional sports as her dad, Andrew, played golf at Delaware, her cousin, Karlee Panella, played soccer at Delaware, and her cousin, Justin Perillo, played for the Green Bay Packers. She also plays for All American Aim lacrosse club. 

Dannenfelser, a defender, attends Bayport-Blue Point High School in Bayport, NY. In addition to being on the varsity lacrosse team, she is also a member of the volleyball and track teams as well. An all-county performer in lacrosse, she has also been part of two Suffolk County championship teams and the 2021 Long Island Class C Championship team. Dannenfelser also plays for the Long Island Top Guns lacrosse club. 

DeMeo, a midfielder, is a student at Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School in Port Washington, NY. A member of the lacrosse and basketball teams for the Vikings, she has totaled 157 goals in her career and holds the school record for most goals in a game. An All-Nassau County selection in lacrosse, she was also named to the Spotlight All-America Team. Her brother, Anthony, played in the Ontario Hockey League and her brother, Christian, played football at RPI. She plays for Liberty Lacrosse club as well.

Elmen, a defender, attends Smithtown High School East in Smithtown, NY. She played lacrosse and volleyball at Smithtown East. A two-time team captain, Elmen earned all-county honors as a junior. She was also part of a league championship in volleyball as a junior. She plays for the Long Island Yellow Jackets lacrosse club. 

Lam, an attacker, currently attends St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. She has played lacrosse, basketball, and track and field for the Tartans. Last season she posted 60 goals, 50 assists, 62 ground balls, 56 draw controls, and 25 caused turnovers and earned All-CIF Southern Section accolades. Her team has made back-to-back playoff appearances as well. As a sophomore she had 58 goals and 32 assists. She plays for the Mad Dog West lacrosse club. 

Little, a midfielder, is a student at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD. A multi-sport athlete, she plays lacrosse, field hockey, and track and field for the Eagles. A captain in three different sports, she has earned all-conference honors as well. Her father, Stephen, played lacrosse at Marymount, her sister, Ella, has played lacrosse at North Carolina and Clemson, and her brother, Cullen, plays squash at Virginia. She also plays for Skywalkers Lacrosse Club. 

Redding, an attacker, is a student at Toms River North High School in Toms River, NJ. A prolific scorer, she had 61 goals and 16 assists in 2022, along with 83 ground balls, 44 draw controls, and 37 caused turnovers. A First Team All-County performer, she was also named all-conference and the team MVP. As a sophomore, Redding had 54 goals and 35 assists. She also plays for All Lax Select lacrosse club. 

Terzioglu, a defender, attends Irondequoit High School in Rochester, NY. She has played four years of lacrosse for the Eagles as well as a three-year member of the basketball team. A two-time all-county player in lacrosse, she tallied 37 goals, 12 assists, 62 draw controls, 39 ground balls, and 10 caused turnovers as a junior and 33 points (22 goals/11 assists) as a sophomore. Her father, Deniz, played soccer at St. John Fisher. Terzioglu also plays for Monster Elite Lacrosse club. 

Shotwell, a midfielder, currently attends Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, NJ. She is a member of both the lacrosse and field hockey teams for the Cougars. Named one of the top juniors to watch by NJ.com and the team MVP, she led her squad with 54 goals and also tallied 32 assists, 111 draw controls, 69 ground balls, and 46 caused turnovers. Shotwell plays for STEPS lacrosse club.