TEANECK, N.J. - FDU women's lacrosse head coach Jessica Pandolf announced Friday the roster additions to the Knights' first-ever team. Set to begin play this spring in the Northeast Conference, FDU women's lacrosse was announced on January 19, 2021 as the Knights' 21st NCAA Division I program.

Among the ranks of the 16 student-athletes who join the inaugural FDU team, 13 are freshmen, one is a graduate student transfer and two are current FDU women's soccer student-athletes who will hit the field again in the spring for Knights lacrosse.

The first-ever roster consists of: Ashley Brown, Kendall Clark, Riley Eaton, Lindsey Felician, Saige-Lyn Gidzinski, Skylar Goodman, Jewel Horsmon, Katie Leckonby, Laura Mancinelli, Abigail McDonald, Brielle McInaw, Alyssa Perez, Paula Ruess, Abigail Salov, Karina Vélez-Corretjer and Natalie York.

"I am incredibly excited to announce of our first class in history to play Knights women's lacrosse," exclaimed Pandolf. "I am so excited to have this group on campus and get started this fall as we prepare for what is sure to be a historic 2023 season in the spring."

An attack from Glen Cove, N.Y., Brown was the top scorer in Nassau County with 67 goals, earning an All-County Honor in 2021. Playing at Glen Cove High School, the 5-foot-4 Brown enjoys walking, running and yoga. She served as a chess club member and was secretary of her school's Ski Club.

Pandolf on Brown: "Ashley's ability to score along with her selfishness makes her a well-balanced attacker."

Joining the FDU Family by way of the Empire State as well is Clark, a defender from Commack. Planning to major in Criminal Justice, Clark racked up a series of honors at Commack High School both in lacrosse and field hockey. Standing at 5'7, Clark was the 2021 Suffolk County Field Hockey Coaches Association Unsung Hero, a four-year defender and represented Team Long Island twice. She participated in nearly a dozen showcases, including the 2019 and 2020 Under Armour 150. Her mother Sandra played basketball at Ithaca while Christian, her father, played rugby at Boston University.

Pandolf on Clark: "Kendall is a strong one-v-one defender and she will help lead our defensive unit."

Yet another New Yorker crossing the Hudson River is Eaton, originally from Nesconset, N.Y. Seeing action at Sachem North High School, Eaton, an attack, was an All-County Honorable Mention in lacrosse and earned an All-Tournament Honor in field hockey. An honor roll student and member of the National Junior Honors Society, Eaton's mother Danielle competed in softball at Molloy, while sibling Madison attends fellow NEC member Sacred Heart.

Pandolf on Eaton: "Riley has the ability to catch under pressure and finish within the eight."

Coming to Teaneck by way of Holbrook, N.Y., midfield student-athlete Felician was a Scholar-Athlete award recipient at Sachem North and racked up All-County and All-Division recognition.

Pandolf on Felician: "We're excited to have Lindsey in the midfield for us this season and she has the potential to make an impact for us."

Reuniting with her former coach is Jersey native Gidzinski who will be using her fifth season of eligibility at FDU after playing four seasons at Stetson where Pandolf served as an assistant coach. From Shamong, N.J. Gidzinski attended Camden Catholic before matriculating to Stetson where she appeared in 44 games with 32 starts, totaling 38 goals, 28 assists, 66 points, 32 draw controls and 18 ground balls.

Pandolf on Gidzinski: "It's great to reunite with Saige here at FDU. She'll provide veteran leadership on a team comprised of all newcomers and will play a huge role in our first season."

Goodman hails from Locust Valley, N.Y. and attended Kellenberg Memorial High School. Standing at 5'4 in goal, Goodman played club ball for Lax On Elite and also played soccer. An involved student on-campus, Goodman belonged to numerous clubs and organizations and was also a three-year honor roll student and two-year member of the National Honors Society.

Pandolf on Goodman: "Skylar brings athleticism in the net along with her quick hands."

Coming to FDU from Huntingtown, Md., Horsmon - also a goalie - hit the field for Uproar, a club team in Maryland. A 2021 SMAC Champion, Horsmon was also a member of the 2021 regional championship Huntingtown High School team. She enjoys dance and cheerleading and plans to major in Business at FDU.

Pandolf on Horsmon: "Jewel brings a calmness in net and her quick clears will help our transition game tremendously."

Mancinelli arrives in the (201) by way of Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Md. One of seven college-bound student-athletes at her high school, Mancinelli, a defender, played club ball for Hero's Lacrosse in the Free State.

Pandolf on Mancinelli: "Laura will be a component of our defense and brings speed up the lines."

McDonald, a Garden State product from Mine Hill, will also play a role on the Knights' defense in 2023. The 5'2 McDonald from Morris Knolls High School accumulated several accolades on and off the field, including All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-County. She is also a certified lifeguard.

Pandolf on McDonald: "Abigail's speed will be a great addition to our transition game."

From the Keystone State, McInaw was a two-time offensive MVP, two-time Pocono Record Athlete of the Week, Triple Threat Elite All-Star Team member and was honored as a Lehigh Valley Health Network Athlete of the Week. Involved in the community, the mid/attack from Kresgeville, Pa. volunteers at a food pantry near home and is a member of the National Honors Society.

Pandolf on McInaw: "Brielle has a natural ability to dodge to the net at a high speed."

Perez had a stellar career on turf at both Bethpage High School and St. Dominic High School. The 5'3 midfielder from Bethpage, N.Y. was a 2021 Nassau County Division 2 All-Conference honoree, following a season in which she finished with 34 points (27 goals, seven assists). In her freshman year, Perez finished in the top 12 among scorers in the Long Island Catholic High School League. She was further honored as one of the 'Top 50 Sophomores' by Back of the Cage and regarded as a Blue Chip Prospect by Long Island Lax Recruits.

Pandolf on Perez: "Alyssa has a high lacrosse IQ and her powerful shot is one of her greatest abilities."

Salov hails from New Rochelle, N.Y. and was a five-year varsity starter for the Huguenots. Finishing her time in purple with a 4.0 weighted GPA, Salov played club action with Team 91 Tristate and was an All-League honoree in 2021. A member of several clubs, including Model Congress, Irish Club, Human Rights Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Ping Pong Club and Habitat for Humanity, Salov has two siblings in college.

Pandolf on Salov: "Abigail will bring endless grit and fight to our squad. Her work ethic and her focus on the small things will make everyone around her better."

Vélez-Corretjer comes to the east coast by way of Paradise Valley, Ariz. An attacking midfield and draw, the Rancho Solano Preparatory School grad was a three-year starter for Chaparral girls lacrosse and tallied over 100 career goals. She was also named an alternate for the Puerto Rico U-19 Women's National Team for the 2019 World Lacrosse Women's World Championships which finished in 8th place.

Pandolf on Vélez-Corretjer: "Karina will bring a different style of play from the west coast to our team and I look forward to having her experience in our first season."

York comes by way of Matthews, N.C. and was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection, also earning Second Team All-State nods and Second Team All-Region. Graduating with the highest possible honors and a 4.3 GPA, York volunteers with special needs kids, giving them lacrosse lessons.

Pandolf on York: "Natalie is a true two-way midfielder, she will bring consistency and leadership to the midfield."

Finally, graduate student Paula Ruess and senior Katie Leckonby join the lacrosse side from FDU women's soccer where they are two games in to the 2022 campaign. Ruess, from Affalterbach, Germany and Leckonby, who hails from Salisbury, N.C., round-out Pandolf's first-ever roster and join a growing list of multi-sport athletes on the banks of the Hackensack.

"It's great that we had interest from student-athletes already at FDU who were serious about playing our sport," said Pandolf. "Paula and Katie understand what it means to be a Knight and will provide guidance and a friendly face on campus for our newcomers. Their experience here is invaluable."

Connect with FDU women's lacrosse on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWLAX.