BALTIMORE --- UMBC Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Amy Slade announced today that ten standout high school student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to attend the university next fall. Seven of the ten newcomers hail from the state of Maryland.
 
"This is a very dynamic group of athletes," stated Slade. "They all bring something different to the field. I love how they have already started to work together and how they stay so connect throughout this process. I am excited to see how they mesh with the talent we already have."
 
UMBC Women's Lacrosse Signing Class
 
Sydney Block, 5-4, D, Fruitland, MD/Parkside
Block was named the Most Valuable Player of the Bayside South Conference in 2023 and was a First Team All-Conference selection. She also earned First Team honors in 2022 and was the league's Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2021 along with garnering First Team All-Conference honors. In addition, she earned Co-Defensive Most Valuable Player accolades in her first season. Block scored a pair of goals in the regional semifinal game against North Caroline. An outstanding field hockey player, Block helped lead the Rams to the regional championships in the sport after the team defeated Washington. She also letters in indoor track & field and participated in the regional championships at Parkside. Block has played club lacrosse for the Lady Blue Crabs and Integrity.
 
Slade's Take
"Sydney is a really smart player, can see plays develop before they happen, and she is a very strong presence on the defensive end. She loves to push the ball in transition which is helpful for starting our fast break."
 
Ava Christoforou, 5-0, D, Chester Springs, Pa./Owen Roberts
Last season, Christoforou helped lead national power Owen Roberts to the Pioneer Athletic Conference title, the district crown, and the PIAA State championship. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the Live Love Tournament as well as the Top Threat and Presidents Cup Tournaments. Christoforou plays at the club level for PA Express and NXT and has participated in the NXT Philly Showcase. She enjoyed a standout club performance against the Yellow Jackets, forcing four turnovers along with a pair of ground balls. Christoforou also scored a goal and assisted on three others.
 
Slade's Take 
"Ava is mighty, is a great communicator and has a good lacrosse IQ. She has played at a high level at both the high school and club level. That experience will translate to what we are doing on the field. She is very speedy with the ball in transition and will help us start our fast break."
 
Tess Curtis, 5-4, M, Owings Mills, MD/Garrison Forest
Curtis is a standout player at Garrison Forest, a team that was ranked in the top 25 in the country at one point. She was the starting midfielder at the club level for M&D Red, a squad which saw each member of the team make a commitment to play lacrosse at the collegiate level.  Curtis enjoyed a memorable club game in the Presidents Cup against Top Guns in 2022.
 
Slade's Take
"Tess is very gritty on the draw which is her first attribute that got our attention. She has developed into a player who can take charge when needed. She is very unassuming but can put the ball in the back of the net or win you a valued possession on the draw."
 
Reese Macintosh, 5-1, M, Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh
Macintosh has enjoyed a terrific career at Southern Lehigh, amassing 399 points (277 goals, 122 assists). A standout in field hockey and basketball as well, she has led the Spartans to three consecutive district championships and has been named to the Lehigh Valley Live First Team three times. Macintosh was selected as the Lehigh Valley Live Player of the Year in 2022 and earned the same honor from the Morning Call that season. She was also recognized as a top midfielder by PhillyLacrosse.com (Lehigh Valley). In addition, Macintosh was picked as the Southern Lehigh's Most Valuable Player in 2023 after earning Offensive MVP accolades in 2022.  Her best performance to date was a 14-point (9 goals, 5 assists) effort against Crestwood last spring.
 
Slade's Take
"Reese can find the goal! She is a dynamic player who can score and distribute. We are looking forward to adding her attacking fire power. She has a great IQ for the game and the drive to put the ball away."
 
Anna Miller, 5-4, M, Fallston, MD/Fallston
Miller has already helped lead Fallston to the 1A state championships three times. The Cougars were the MPSSAA 1A state runner-up in 2022. She was a First Team All-County selection in 2021 and 2022 as well as a 2021 and 2022 Regional Title Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference (UCBAC) honoree. Miller's top performance as a Cougar came in 2022, when she scored a game-high five goals in a victory against Arundel. Her NEMS club lacrosse squad was ranked first in the country in 2022.
 
Slade's Take
"Anna comes from a powerhouse program for lacrosse. She is a strong presence on the field, clears the ball fast and has a very quick split dodge. She is a gritty presence on the draw circle and plays with a chip on her shoulder. I love her aggressiveness all over the field."
 
Kate McAlonan, 5-9, A, Finksburg, MD/Westminster
McAlonan scored 14 goals and added 24 assists last season for the Owls, who advanced to the state semifinals. She scored three goals and handed out three assists in the semifinal contest versus Severna Park. McAlonan competed in the NXT Nike showcase event in the fall of 2021 and was chosen for the Maryland America Select Team during the summer of 2022 and 2023. In addition, she was invited to compete in the WPLL Futures National Championship Summit in 2021. McAlonan also competed in field hockey and helped lead Westminster to the state semifinals in 2022.
 
Slade's Take
"Kate is a big lefty presence on the attacking end, she is powerful and has great hands with the ability to finish in tight spaces."
 
Avé Martin, 5-6, M, Mickleton, NJ/Paul VI
Martin has racked up 154 goals, 45 assists and 66 caused turnovers over her first three seasons at Paul VI. Last season as a junior captain, Martin was a First Team All-Conference pick after earning Second Team accolades during her first two years. She was named the Eagles' Most Valuable Player. Martin has played club lacrosse for the SJ Shamrocks since the age of 12 and was selected to play on the NXT Showcase All Star Team. She has competed in numerous events such as the IWLCA Presidents Cup, Lax for the Cure, Summer Genesis, Maryland Lacrosse Showcase and District East championship. Martin is also an All-Conference Soccer player at Paul VI.
 
Slade's Take
"Avé is an athlete, gets it done on both ends of the field and has really become a leader on the attacking end. She has a tremendous game sense and can read plays before they happen. Avé is going to be a solid asset to our midfield unit."
 
Ava Reed, 5-3, G, Manchester, MD/Gerstell Academy
Reed has played Varsity Lacrosse for Gerstell Academy since her freshman season and competes at the club level for Check-Hers Elite. She brings great experience in goal competing in the IAAM "A" conference and has faced nationally ranked team's such as St. Paul's, McDonough, Maryvale, Glenelg, and Archbishop Spalding. Last season, she made 11 saves in a very competitive game against Notre Dame Prep. She also made ten saves against Mount de Sales.
 
Slade's Take
"Ava has quick hands and is able to get her stick on a lot of different shots. As a lefty keeper she is good at showing the shooter what looks to be open but can bate her to shoot into her stick. She competes in the highest conference and faces a lot of top-level play. We are excited to continue to watch her grow this year."
 
Katherine Stamper, 5-8, M, Middletown, MD/Middletown
Stamper has won three county championships at Middletown and the Knights have qualified for the state playoffs twice during her tenure. She was named to the All-Frederick County Team as a sophomore in 2022. A three-sport athlete (field hockey and basketball), Stamper scored four goals and added five draws along with four ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers in the 2022 county finals against Linganore. She was selected to play for Delaware in the American National Classic in 2019 and 2021 and played in the 2022 Maryland Showcase All-Star Game. Stamper won the NGLL Mid-Atlantic championship twice as a member of the Renegades Lacrosse Club and played on the team for seven years.
 
Slade's Take
"Kate is a well-rounded midfielder, she is solid on the defensive end, gritty in the ride and on the circle and can push to cage. She is a smart player and makes good decisions when under pressure. Kate has the ability to impact much of the field and can make some big plays when needed."
 
Annika Wray, 5-6, A/M, Marriottsville, MD/Liberty
Wray has helped lead Liberty to three straight Maryland 1A State championships. She captained the Lions last season and will do so again this spring. Wray was selected to the US Lacrosse Maryland Metro Team in both 2021 and 2022. Her top performance in 2023 was a four-goal effort against Annapolis in March. Wray was also an All-County Honorable Mention pick in soccer in 2022 and captained the squad in 2023. The team qualified for the 1A West Regionals in 2022. Wray has played club lacrosse for Check-Hers Elite, Hero's White Lacrosse, US Lacrosse MD Metro, and the FCA National Team.
 
Slade's Take
"Annika is a workhorse, has played for a high caliber lacrosse team and knows how to win. She can put her head down and work but can also be the person that communicates to her teammates. Annika isn't always the flashy player, but you know she will get the job done."