DETROIT (11/23/2021) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's lacrosse team went spanning the states looking for talent to add to its program and the Titans found it in three states and another country as head coach Dwayne Hicks announced the signing of four student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent.

The four new Titans are Kayleigh Aitkem, Liberty Cuckler, Alyssa Jarvis and Ysa Pakowski. 

"These ladies are not just gifted and talented on the lacrosse field, but their academics are exceptional and fit in great with our current student-athletes and program." said coach Hicks. 

Kayleigh Aitkem * Goalie * Ore-Medonte, Ont. * Everest Academy

• Lettered in soccer, football, cross country skiing and lacrosse
• Played with Team Ontario and helped the team to an undefeated season, a national title and a U-18 world championship in 2018
• Named the Coaches Award winner and the Defensive Award for the Orillia Lady Kings

Coach Hicks On Aitkem: "We are very excited to have Kayleigh join us. She is a very accomplished and highly-touted Canadian goalie coming from Everest Academy, which produces a lot of the top Canadian talent in the college ranks. Her IQ is outstanding and her skill set is going to fit in great with our defensive style and philosophy."

Liberty Cuckler * Attack * Delaware, Ohio * Olentangy Berlin

• Lettered in basketball, cheerleading and lacrosse
• Tabbed an Under Armor All-American as a sophomore and junior and a member of the WPLL Future Pro Team in 2020
• Posted 79 goals, 34 assists and 103 draw controls as a junior en route to Team MVP as a junior as well as Second Team All-Conference
• Had 42 goals and 39 assists as a freshman
• Holds school record for most assists in a season, draws won per game (16), most hat tricks in a season( 11) and most goals scored in a game(9)
• Played club with Resolute and Impact

Coach Hicks On Cuckler: "She is one of the top attackmen in the state of Ohio and we are happy to add her to our offense, which will help us speed up our offensive side of the ball. She had a very impressive high school career and scored over 100 points last season. She has great skills and plays fast and has the IQ that Division I players really need to compete at the highest level."

Alyssa Jarvis * Midfielder * Woodinville, Wa. * Woodinville

• Lettered all four years in lacrosse and was a two-time team captain
• Selected a USA Lacrosse All-American as a junior after tallying 35 goals, 31 draw controls, 20 ground balls and six caused turnovers
• Named the team's MVP, All-Conference
• As a freshman, registered 34 goals, 26 ground balls, 57 draw controls and 10 caused turnovers as she was touted the Midfielder of the Year and All-Conference
• Played club with Puget Sound Select

Coach Hicks On Jarvis: "Alyssa is another All-American we are adding and one of the fastest players we are bringing into the program. She is going to be a game-changer for us between the lines with her skill set."

Ysa Pakowski * Midfielder * Woodridge, Ill.  * Downers Grove South 

• Lettered in basketball and lacrosse and was a team captain
• A member of the All-Sectional Team in 2019 and 2021 as well as All-Illinois in 2019
• Played club with True Lacrosse and Lakeshore Lacrosse National Premier

Coach Hicks On Pakowski: "Ysabel is a super-fast player from Chicago. I am looking forward to having her grit and tenacity in the midfield and she will add another dimension to our program with her overall skills and ability."