CHARLOTTE, N.C.  –  Queens University of Charlotte head field hockey coach Brandi Kist is pleased to announce the addition of nine to her 2019 roster. Transfers Casey Carrigan and Avian Thompson along with newcomers Paige Bristow, Leighton Eber, Ellie Fitzgerald, Ruby Hartley, Gabrielle Lechner, Marit Noordam, and Erin O'Reilly will join the Royals in the fall.
 
"We are very excited to welcome this well rounded class into our program, Kist stated. "Their mix of positions and skill sets will complement our returners and continue to help build our program towards a championship."
 
Carrigan is coming to the Royals from Long Island University-Brooklyn where she was a team captain for the Blackbirds. The midfielder is originally from Glenside, Pennsylvania where she attended Archbishop Wood High School. Coming out of high school, Carrigan was a three-time all-catholic league first-teamer. She was also the Philadelphia Catholic League's leading goal scorer during her sophomore and junior seasons, and the Bucks County area leading scorer during her sophomore year. Carrigan played club for True North Field Hockey Club.
 
"Casey is a very competitive, dynamic player," Kist commented. "She will help continue to push our team to bring their best every day. We look forward to Casey's grit and leadership on and off the field."
 
Originally from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, Thompson graduated from Lower Dauphin where she competed in field hockey, basketball, and track & field. During the 2017 season, her high school team finished top eight in the state after finishing as the District 3AAA runner-up. Thompson, a goalkeeper, played club for East Coast, and she will join the Royals after spending a year at Saint Francis University.
 
"Avian is very solid under pressure," said Kist. "We look forward to having an experienced goalkeeper to challenge our offense each day at practice and help steady our defense in the backfield."
 
Bristow is a Frederick, Maryland native coming to the Royals from Urbana High School. The three-year varsity starter was named to the All-CMC Second team in 2017 for defense and to the All-CMC team for offense in 2018. She was also named team captain in 2018 and earned Frederick News-Post Offensive Player of the Year recognition. The midfielder has also earned the Minds in Motion Award nine times. Off the field, she is a member of the National Honors Society, the National Math Honors Society, the National Science Honors Society, and she is the president of Future Medical Doctors of America Club. Bristow played club field hockey for Freedom HKY.
 
"Paige is a well-rounded athlete that will bring depth to our rotation," Kist said. "With her potential, dedication, and competitiveness, we look forward to seeing her development into quite the force for our program."
 
Eber will come to the Royals from Lutherville, Maryland where she currently attends St. Paul's School for Girls. The midfielder has competed in field hockey, lacrosse, track & field, and squash during her high school career. She was named team captain of the field hockey team during her junior and senior seasons helping her team win a state championship and conference championship. Additionally, the honor roll student was named team MVP and made an appearance on the all-conference team. Eber played club field hockey for Spark.
 
"Leighton is an overall strong athlete with great fundamentals," Kist stated. "She has a great growth mind set and drive to continuously improve and learn. A versatile player, we are looking forward to having her contribute on the defensive end and in the midfield."
 
Fitzgerald is a defender out of Muckross Park College in Dublin, Ireland. Her team won the Leinster Schools Junior League in 2016 and the Junior Jacqui Potter Cup, Leinster Senior Cup, and the Claudia Tierney Schools League in 2017. They were also the Leinster Schools Senior League Winners in 2018. She played club for the Muckross Hockey Club.
 
"Ellie is a skilled dynamic player," said Kist. "Her vision, distribution skills, and quick decision making will really help our transition game from the back and through the midfield."
 
Hartley will hail from Lancaster, Pennsylvania where she currently attends Donegal High School. The defender/midfielder holds four section titles, two league titles, four district titles, and two state titles. The all-state second-teamer was also named to the academic all-state team and earned NFHCA Academic All-American honors. Hartley also earned Summa Cum Laude Honor Roll recognition and is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the Booster Club. Hartley played club for the Alley Cats.
 
"Ruby comes from a championship-winning high school program and is quite the competitor," commented Kist. "She will add speed to our backline and midfield which will help continue to develop our transition game."
 
Lechner, coming from Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, has played the forward, midfield, and defensive positions on the field. She was named to the all-district and all-region first teams and the All-Tidewater Second Team during her junior and senior seasons. Additionally, Lechner earned all-state first team honors in her junior season and second team honors in her senior season. Off the field, she earned the Chesapeake Academic Achievement Award. Lechner also played club for Tcoyo hockey.
 
"Gabe is a versatile player with great hands and ball control who will be able to sustain a high pace of play," Kist added. "She will bring another level of play to our midfield and forward lines."
 
Noordam is a goalkeeper from The Netherlands who attended Amstelveen College. She helped her team finish sixth at the National Super A League after advancing to nationals for three years. The newcomer has also been training at the Drijver Goalie Academy under Martijn Drijver for three years. Noordam played club for HIC.
 
"Marit is a dynamic keeper with great reaction time," stated Kist. "Her style will fit well with our defensive unit and we look forward to her bringing a high level of communication and organization to the defense."
 
O'Reilly will join the Royals from Long Reach High School in Elkridge, Maryland. The forward played field hockey and lacrosse earning all-county honorable mention recognition. She was also named Team MVP. Off the field, O'Reilly is a member of the National Honors Society and Best Buddies.
 
"Erin has good vision and decision making skills," Kist commented. "We look forward to building her strength and development into a composed consistent presence on the field.  Erin will add strong depth to the team and is a versatile athlete."
 
The Royals are scheduled to kick off their 2019 campaign on September 7.