DETROIT (12/8/2020) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's lacrosse program and head coach
Dwayne Hicks has announced on Tuesday the signing of three student-athletes, who all signed during the fall signing period during November.
The three who inked their National Letters of Intent to play for the Titans are
Leah Bodnar (Cedar Park, Texas / Cedar Park HS),
Sophie Davis (White Bear Lake, Minn. / White Bear Lake Area HS) and
Brooke Parrillo (Oakton, Va. / Oakton HS). All three are slated to join the squad for the 2021-22 academic school year.
"I'm very excited to have these ladies coming to Detroit," Detroit Mercy women' s lacrosse head coach
Dwayne Hicks said. "They are a peek at where the program is going. They are athletic, fast, skilled and can play any position on the field. Whereas many programs are looking for players who are very specialized, we are bringing in players who are all-around players on the field and great students off the field. This is going to be a lot of fun."
It's the first recruiting class for Hicks, who is entering his first full season as the leader of the Detroit Mercy women's lacrosse program.
More on the three student-athletes:
Leah Bodnar
Hometown: Cedar Park, Texas
High School: Cedar Park
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-8
Career Accolades: A two-sport athlete for the Timberwolves at Cedar Park High School, lettering in all four seasons in lacrosse and once in bowling ... Played for coach Johanna Owens ... Named All-District at midfield in 2019 ... Earned 2019 Central Texas Team Lacrosse honors ... Played club lacrosse with Texas Outlaws for seven years ... Plans to major in Mechanical Engineering.
Coach Hicks on Leah Bodnar: "Leah is smart, crafty, tough and really knows and understands the game. She is a quarterback style player who is going to fit in quickly to our fast-paced style of lacrosse. Her skills are sharp. Her defense is tenacious. I'm very happy she's coming to Detroit to help compete for a title. She outstanding academics qualified her for acceptance into our very exclusive 5-year Master's Engineering program."
Sophie Davis
Hometown: White Bear Lake, Minn.
High School: White Bear Lake Area South Campus
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-8
Career Accolades: A three-sport athlete for the White Bears at White Bear Lake Area High School, playing lacrosse for coach Colleen Cameron ... Earned letters in lacrosse, tennis and nordic skiing ... A two-time captain ... Earned All-Conference honors in 2018 ... Played club lacrosse with Team Minnesota (five years) and Minnesota Loons (two years) and helped club team to Indian Prairie Showdown championship as well as Grand Prix championship ... Plans to major in Business.
Coach Hicks on Sophie Davis: "Sophie is a very athletic player from Minnesota. I'm looking forward to seeing her get up to speed and blossoming into a dominant player in the middle of the field. Her height and speed will be hard for teams to match up against. We're looking forward to having her as a Titan. Plus, her exceptional grades gained her acceptance into our highly competitive 5-year MBA program. This is a win-win for all of us."
Brooke Parrillo
Hometown: Oakton, Va.
High School: Oakton
Position: Midfield/Attack
Height: 5-3
Career Accolades: A three-sport athlete for the Cougars at Oakton High School, lettering in all four years in lacrosse for coach Craig Oliver ... Also competed in field hockey and diving for Oakton ... Earned All-District honors ... Played club lacrosse with Supernova (four years), Rattlers (two years), Nova Flyers (one year) and Cardinal (one year), helped team to multiple tournament championships throughout the years ... Her uncle played lacrosse at Vermont ... Plans to major in Criminology/Psychology.
Coach Hicks on Brooke Parrillo: "Brooke plays like a point guard. Quick on the field. Great at slashing to the goal and taking the shot or finding the open teammate. Great IQ. Playing against top players in Virginia has helped her learn the game. Bringing that experience to Detroit will help her compete for playing time immediately on the offensive end of the field. Can't wait to get her in the mix. Brooke is going to focus on the Criminal Justice program. We're glad to have her in the Titan family."
The Titans are wrapped up with fall ball practices and are gearing up for their first season in the Mid-American Conference in 2021.
