Field Hockey News

Six of North Allegheny’s varsity field hockey players have enrolled at universities where they will continue their education while playing field hockey at either the Division I, II or III level. The Tigers team was victorious in their second consecutive WPIAL Championship during the girls’ senior season. For their efforts, Megan Guzzardi, Kailey Vogl and Jessica Brandon were all selected to the All WPIAL Class AAA All-Star Team. These three, along with Isley Smith and Hannah Downing, were also selected to the Section 1 All-Star Team. Defender Kendra Downey was awarded honorable mention recognition.

Megan Guzzardi, four-year varsity midfielder for the Tigers, signed her National Letter of Intent (NLI) in November 2014 to play for Division I James Madison University in Harrisonville, Va. Guzzardi plans to work toward her bachelor’s degree in health sciences before moving on to a physician assistant master’s program.

Hannah Downing, a three-year varsity midfielder, also signed an NLI in November 2014 to play at the Division II level for Slippery Rock University. Downing has been admitted to the Honors College physician assistant 3-2 master’s program and received several athletic and academic scholarships. Her academic awards include both a Merit Scholarship and an Achievement Award Scholarship from Slippery Rock.

Jessica Brandon, forward for the Tigers, was a four-year varsity letter-winner. Brandon signed a university Letter of Intent with Division II Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. Brandon accepted a merit offer from the university in the form of the Mother M. Borgia Egan Scholarship. Brandon was accepted into the Mercyhurst Honors Program and will major in exercise science with a concentration in pre-physical therapy.

Kailey Vogl has committed to play Division III field hockey at Misericordia University, in the northeastern city of Dallas, Pa. Vogl earned three varsity letters and was a two-time captain of the Tigers varsity squad. Vogl has participated in USA Field Hockey’s Futures Olympic Development Program for the past four years, training at the Level 1 and Elite site, and was selected to compete at Nationals in 2014. She earned the Trustee Scholarship and the McAuley Award to pursue a degree in health care management through Misericordia’s 6 ½ year doctorate of physical therapy program.

Kendra Downey, winner of a National Merit Commendation, plans to continue playing field hockey after committing to Elizabethtown University near Harrisburg, Pa. Downey was a varsity defender for the Tigers during both of their WPIAL championships. Downey will major in biology at Elizabethtown and has been accepted into the Thomas Jefferson University graduate school to receive her doctorate in physical therapy.

Isley Smith has committed to Arcadia University, near Philadelphia, Pa. Smith was a three-year varsity letter-winner with the Tigers. She plans to major in biology in her pursuit of a forensic science degree at Arcadia. Smith aspires to attend medical school at either Ohio State or Temple to eventually become a medical examiner.

The WPIAL champion North Allegheny Tigers had three players selected to the WPIAL Class AAA Field Hockey Team.  Senior forward Jessica Brandon, senior midfielder Megan Guzzardi and senior forward Kailey Vogl been picked to the Class AAA postseason team.

Brandon was North Allegheny’s leading scorer, topping the team with 23 goals and 17 assists.  A valuable member of the team on both offense and defense, Guzzardi tallied 12 goals and 10 assists to go along with countless steals out of the midfield. A pivotal part of North Allegheny’s success on penalty corner attempts, Vogl scored 11 goals and finished second on the team with 12 assists. All three players were selected to the Class AAA Section 1 All-Star Team.

Additional to Brandon, Guzzardi and Vogl, senior midfielder Hannah Downing and senior goalie Isley “Chip” Smith were also named to the All-Section 1 Team. Receiving honorable mention recognition were senior midfielder Nicole Burns and senior midfielder Kendra Downey.

Congratulations to the North Allegheny field hockey team for its collective and individual success this season!

A pair of Lady Tigers made their college commitments official today, signing on to play at the Division I level in their respective sports. Senior Meg Morningstar signed her letter of intent to play collegiate volleyball at the University of Notre Dame and senior Megan Guzzardi signed her letter of intent to play field hockey at James Madison University.

Meg Morningstar with parents Darren and Kim Morningstar

Morningstar was a major contributor on North Allegheny’s WPIAL Class AAA championship team in 2013, and helped the Tigers reach the title game again this fall. A two-sport athlete, Morningstar is a force down low on the NA girls’ basketball team. Last season, the 6-2 standout led the team in blocks with 23 and finished third on the team in rebounds, averaging 4.4 per game. Morningstar added six points per game offensively. On the Note Dame women’s volleyball team Morningstar will join forces with another former standout from Section 3-AAA, Pine-Richland’s Hannah Muzzonigro who is the starting setter for the Fighting Irish.

Senior Megan Guzzardi

Guzzardi, a midfielder on the NA field hockey team, had an outstanding senior season and made an impact on both ends of the field. Offensively, Guzzardi notched 12 goals and 11 assists, ranking her fourth on the team in total points with 34. With the assistance of Guzzardi, the Lady Tigers won back-to-back Class AAA WPIAL crowns in 2013 and 2014. Guzzardi will join a James Madison team that concluded the 2014 campaign with a 12-8 record and a semifinal appearance in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament.