PHILADELPHIA, PA - Head field hockey coach Sarah Catlin announced the signing of two additional members to the class of 2010:  Caitlin Conk (Cream Ridge, NJ) an outstanding defender from Allentown High School, and an equally gifted attacker, Kara Harpel (Lebanon, PA) from Cedar Crest High School.

Conk joins the Explorers after starting all four years and serving as captain for her Allentown High School team.  During her tenure, Allentown 3-peated as Central Jersey Group 2 Champions and made it to the final 4 for the State Championship each of those years as well.  Conk received regional recognition during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, including Third Team All-State and Academic All-American as a senior.  Conk has extensive club experience, competing in the National Indoor Tournament and the National Field Hockey Festival (Gold Medal, ’04).  Currently ranked 5^th in her class, Conk serves as the secretary for the National Honor Society.

Coach Catlin on Conk:

“I love the poise Caitlin has with the ball in the backfield. I look for defenders who have great confidence in their possession skills and excellent field vision. Caitlin excels in both areas and will look to challenge for time in our backfield immediately.  Her academic standards are as high as our current team, so it will be fun to watch her excel both on and off the field.”

Harpel joins the Explorers from the very tough Lebanon-Lancaster county area.  A First Team All-County selection and Academic All-Star during her senior year points to her excellence on and off the field as well.  Like Conk, Harpel was a four-year starter and senior year captain.  She finished in the top 10 for scoring in her league as a senior, following up her outstanding junior year in which she was selected as the Junior Athlete of the Year at Cedar Crest the spring before.  She traveled to the National Field Hockey Festival with Team Blitz, Harpel won a bronze (’05) and gold medal (’04).  A member of the National Honors Society and the National Art Honors Society, Harpel won a Scholastics Silver Key Award for drawing.

Coach Catlin on Harpel:

“Kara is the niece of the former coach, Jen Harpel.  It is so fun for me to have that connection on the team! Kara is a tremendously quick forward who will put herself in position to finish. We have a solid team returning, but goal scoring has been  a weakness for us. I look forward to watching Kara aid us in this area.”