Nine Set to Join the Women's Lacrosse Team in 2020

HANOVER, N.H. – Dartmouth women's lacrosse head coach Alex Frank has announced the nine members of the Class of 2023 who will be making their collegiate debuts next month when the regular season gets underway.

This is Frank's first incoming class as she is also entering her first season as a head coach with the Big Green after spending the last three seasons as an assistant with the Colorado Buffaloes.

"It has been exciting getting to know the freshman class these past few months," Frank said. "While I knew of them from afar during the recruiting trail, it has been great being able to work with them. They embody all of the core values of our program and are eager to learn. It is a class full of athleticism and speed hailing from all over North America."

The group is a mix of one goalkeeper, three midfielders and three attackers and a pair of individuals who can play in either the midfield or on defense.

NIEVE DONEGAN
Hometown: New City, N.Y.
High School: Clarkston North
Position: D/M
Number: 11
Height: 5-6
Highlights: A four-year member of the women's lacrosse team as well as both field hockey and basketball teams in high school…Her play garnered several accolades, including first-team all-league for lacrosse all four years at Clarkson North in Section 1…She was tabbed as the Rockland 2019 Scholar Athlete of the Year…Was a 1,000-point scorer in her career and named the League's top player as a senior as a member of the basketball team…In total between the three teams, Donegan earned 15 individual honors or awards in her high school career.
Tentative Career Plans: Business
Coach Frank Says: "With each practice, Nieve shows increased confidence and continues to prove her value on the field. She pairs intelligence with lacrosse skill to create power on the field and has shown an ability to be a significant threat to those she plays against."

KATIE ELDERS
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
High School: Darien
Position: M
Number: 17
Height: 5-5
Highlights: A third-generation Dartmouth student as her father and grandfather are members of the Classes of 1989 and 1963, respectively…Another multi-sport talent, Elders helped her teams win several Connecticut State Championships in both field hockey and lacrosse…An Under Armour All-American as a senior in 2019 and First-Team All-Connecticut player in lacrosse, she was also named the Hearst Media Connecticut Field Hockey Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Tentative Career Plans: Undecided
Coach Frank Says: "Katie is incredibly fast. She is a force in between the thirties and has shown she is hard to be stopped in the offensive end. She has a lot of confidence and plays older than she is. We are excited to see what she will do for us this year."

LAUREN LAKE
Hometown: South Orange, N.J.
High School: Columbia High School
Position: M
Number: 18
Height: 5-11
Highlights: Played lacrosse and soccer in high school…A two-time First-Team All-Liberty Division selection…Named the 2019 Super Essex Conference Teammate of the Year in lacrosse as a senior…Was also a First-Team All-North Jersey Interscholastic Girls Lacrosse League as a freshman and senior, respectively.
Tentative Career Plans: Business
Coach Frank Says: "Lauren is strong and aggressive. She has stepped up for us in the midfield the last few months and really showcased her speed and athleticism on the field. She has also impressed us with her draw technique and continues to get stronger in that role as well."

MIMI LAZORE
Hometown: Hogansburg, N.Y.
High School: IMG Academy
Position: A
Number: 21
Height: 5-2
Highlights: A dual US-Canadian citizen, she graduated from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida…While playing high school lacrosse in her home state of New York, Lazore was both a first-team all-league selection as well as a Section 10 MVP during her first two seasons…While at IMG, she was recognized with both the Hard Hat Award as well as the William E. Bjorness Award.
Tentative Career Plans: Government
Coach Frank Says: "Mimi comes to us after competing with Team Haudenosaunee at the U19 World Championships in August. She has gained a lot of confidence through her international experience and has done a great job stepping up on the offensive end. She has a strong lacrosse IQ and will be a big play maker for us."

LUCY MURRAY
Hometown: Wilmette, Ill.
High School: New Trier
Position: A
Number: 25
Height: 5-10
Highlights: The daughter of a pair of 1987 Brown graduates and former student-athletes, Murray comes to Hanover to play for the Big Green in 2020… As a senior and team captain in 2019, she helped guide her team to a 21-1-2 mark and the Illinois High School Association Girls Lacrosse State Championship…Earlier in the same year, she also accomplished the feat as a member of the field hockey team…On an individual level, Murray was also a three-time All-American as well a multi-time all-state and all-conference selection.
Tentative Career Plans: Business
Coach Frank Says: "Lucy's lacrosse IQ is off the charts. She sees the field well and has found a home on the offensive end. She loves to learn and continually pushes herself to get better. We are excited to see what her impact will be on the offensive end."

NINA NESSELBUSH
Hometown: Penfield, N.Y.
High School: Penfield
Position: M
Number: 26
Height: 5-5
Highlights: The third Nesselbush sister in a line of lacrosse players, Nina will suit up for Dartmouth after Sheila played for Northwestern and Michelle played at Harvard…A gifted leader and teammate, she was twice named the recipient of the Penfield Pride Award in addition to numerous accolades for being a scholar athlete during both basketball and lacrosse seasons…Additionally, she was an Academic All-American as a senior…Named the 2019 Section Five MVP during lacrosse season, while also earning first-team honors…Also earned all-county recognition and led her teams to several New York State Sectional Finals.
Tentative Career Plans: Engineering
Coach Frank Says: "Nina comes from a big lacrosse family where three of her sisters have competed at the Division I level. She has been very coachable and continues to impress us on both ends of the field. We are excited to see what she will do for us this spring."

PEYTON SMITH
Hometown: Los Alamitos, Calif.
High School: Mater Dei
Position: A
Number: 29
Height: 5-4
Highlights: A native of Southern California, Smith comes to Dartmouth after a distinguished career at Mater Dei…Was named the Trinity League Offensive MVP as a senior in 2019 in addition to team offensive MVP for her teams as both a junior and senior…An All-Orange County First-Team Selection as both a junior and senior…Won a pair of California Southern Section Championships in 2016 and 2017…A strong student in the classroom, Smith was also named an Academic All-American in both 2018 and 2019.. A 2019 Adrenaline All-American honoree.
Tentative Career Plans: Business
Coach Frank Says: "Peyton has adjusted quite well to life in Hanover. It is always hard seeing snow for the first time, let alone playing in it. She comes to practice every day with a willingness to learn and try new things. She pushes herself to compete at the highest level and continues to improve."

JEV WARD
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta
High School: Vimy Ridge Academy
Position: D/M
Number: 30
Height: 5-6
Highlights: Sister of Jazmyne Ward '22, a midfielder with the Big Green…A versatile athlete, she played hockey, lacrosse and box lacrosse before coming to Hanover… Helped her GELC team to a 20-0 record and the 2016 Alberta Lacrosse Association Championship…Also played for a team that went 20-0 in 2017 to claim the RMLL Championship.
Tentative Career Plans: Medicine
Coach Frank Says: "Jev is incredibly aggressive on all ends of the field. She has proven to be a player who doesn't back down from a challenge. Her tenacity on the defensive end challenges her teammates to compete at the highest level and she is always looking for opportunities to develop herself as a player."

AMY SHOHET
Hometown: Buzzards Bay, Mass.
High School: Milton Academy
Position: GK
Number: 38
Height: 5-4
Highlights: Played four seasons at Milton Academy in Massachusetts…During that time, she was named the program's Rookie of the Year in 2016 and then the MVP in both 2018 and 2019…A member of the All-Independent School League Team as both a junior and senior, while an honorable mention selection as a sophomore…Named an Academic All-American by US Lacrosse in 2019.
Tentative Career Plans: Finance/Communications
Coach Frank Says: "Amy shows an unparalleled passion for Dartmouth lacrosse. She brings energy and excitement to every practice and demonstrates an ability to grow and improve with each day. We're excited to see the impact Amy will have as part of the team this year."

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