TicketsCINCINNATI - Gina Thomas, head coach of the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team, has announced the addition of 12 freshmen to the Bearcats roster with all 12 set to join the program in time for the 2020 season. The newcomers, five of which were named US Lacrosse High School All-Americans during their careers, will look to help UC continue to build upon the momentum earned in 2019 when the Bearcats shattered numerous records and reached the championship game of the American Athletic Conference tournament in the program's first postseason appearance.
This year's class of 12 newcomers includes four from the state of Pennsylvania, two each from Ohio, Maryland and New Jersey, and one each from Texas and North Carolina. Additionally, two of the newcomers are the younger sisters of returning Bearcats and two more are second generation student-athletes at UC. The class includes Anna Green (Chalfont), Kenna Hancock (New Freedom), Peyton Mottice (Downingtown) and Emily Wurzel (Chester Springs) from Pennsylvania; Morgan Bates (Cincinnati Sycamore) and Sophia Finotti (Westerville) from Ohio; Tori Accordo (Voorhees) and Dani Mlkvy (Berlin) from New Jersey; Emma Caulk (Centreville) and Grace Wehland (Bel Air) from Maryland; Gianna Pope (Grapevine) from Texas; and Claire Reist (Cary) from North Carolina.
// HIGH HONORS
During their prep careers, Bates, Finotti, Green, Mottice and Reist each were named US Lacrosse All-Americans after all five were tabbed for the honor following their senior seasons. Looking back at the incoming classes Thomas and her staff have brought in, the 2020 group tied with the 2018 group (seniors in 2017) for the most decorated class to date. All told, with the inclusion of this year's newcomers, the 2020 Bearcats roster will feature 11 players that earned at least one US Lacrosse All-America honor during her prep career including Zoe Antona (2018), Alyssa Adams (2016), Taylor Gysin (2016 & 2017), Lauren Harrison (2016), Ali Mazzola (2016 & 2017) and Monica Borzillo (2016).
// DEEP RUNS
Of the 12 newcomers, 10 helped their teams make deep runs into their respective state tournaments, including Finotti, Pope and Wehland, who each captured a pair of titles. Finotti was part of Ohio state championship teams with St. Francis DeSales her freshman and senior years. Pope helped her Episcopal School of Dallas teammates to Texas state titles in both 2017 and 2019 while Wehland was part of two titles at Bel Air, including the 2017 lacrosse and 2016 soccer state championship teams.
// STRONG SCORING
Last year, the Bearcats smashed every statistical category as the offense came to life throughout the season, including 263 goals. Heading into 2020, 230 of those goals return with several newcomers that were prolific scorers in their own right. Three players scored over 200 goals in their careers with three others netting at least 100. Green, who tallied 229 for Central Bucks South HS, not only led her school, but posted 105 goals in her junior season, a total that led the entire state of Pennsylvania. Finotti scored the most of the group with a school-record 258 goals, which also included 98 in her senior season while Mottice, who set a school record with 274 draw controls in her career, also broke the scoring mark with 241 goals to her credit.
// ALL IN THE FAMILY
For the past three season, the Fess Triplets (Adrianna Fess, Alexandra Fess and Amanda Fess) have had a monopoly on family members playing on the same team. This year, they will not be alone as Jennie Finotti and Sam Mlkvy welcome their younger sisters to the team. But, it doesn't stop there, however, as more family ties exist as well. Mottice and Bates are now second generation Bearcats student-athletes as family members have preceded them in Clifton. Mottice's dad played baseball for the Bearcats while her cousin, Kyle Mottice, played for the Bearcats baseball team as well, completing his career in 2018. Similarly, Bates' dad was a football player at UC while her older brother, Doug Bates, was a member of the Bearcats football team from 2016-19.
// BEEN THERE BEFORE
Four of the newcomers have already played together in the past, including the duos of Accordo and Mlkvy and Mottice and Wurzel. Accordo and Mlkvy both played on the same high school team at Eastern Regional while also suiting up for the same club team, Garden State Elite. Mottice (West) and Wurzel (East), who played at rival high schools in Downingtown, were also teammates at the club level with PA Express.
| 2020 Bearcats | Pos. | YR | Hometown | High School | Club |
| Accordo, Tori | A/M | FR | Voorhees, N.J. | Eastern Regional | Garden State Elite |
| Bates, Morgan | M | FR | Cincinnati, Ohio | Sycamore | |
| Caulk, Emma | D | FR | Centreville, Md. | Queen Anne's County | Chesapeake |
| Finotti, Sophia | M/D | FR | Westerville, Ohio | St. Francis DeSales | Lucky Lax |
| Green, Anna | A/M | FR | Chalfont, Pa. | Central Bucks South | Ultimate Lacrosse |
| Hancock, Kenna | A | FR | New Freedom, Pa. | Susquehannock | TLC |
| Mlkvy, Dani | M | FR | Berlin, N.J. | Eastern Regional | Garden State Elite |
| Mottice, Peyton | M | FR | Downingtown, Pa. | Downingtown West | PA Express |
| Pope, Gianna | G | FR | Grapevine, Texas | The Episcopal School of Dallas | Grit Lacrosse |
| Reist, Claire | M | FR | Cary, N.C. | Panther Creek | Carolina Flight |
| Wehland, Grace | M | FR | Bel Air, Md. | Bel Air | NEMS Lacrosse |
| Wurzel, Emily | M | FR | Chester Springs, Pa. | Downingtown East | PA Express |
// NEWCOMER BIOS
ACCORDO, Tori
A/M • Fr. • Voorhees, N.J. • Eastern Regional HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Eastern Regional High School (Voorhees, N.J.)… three-sport athlete, playing lacrosse, basketball and soccer... in lacrosse, helped her team to its first South Jersey Group IV title in program history (sophomore) and were finalists in the NJ Group IV state tournament... state finalists again as a senior... captured the conference title each of her last two years... served as the team captain as a senior and led the team in scoring as she surpassed 100 goals in her career... also as a senior, earned first-team all-league accolades as well two honors from NJ.com, including third-team all-state and first-team all-group... played club lacrosse with Garden State Elite... earned academic high honors throughout her career... has a twin sister (Anna).
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because of the high athletic and academic reputations and standards. The urban campus is exactly what I wanted in a school. The facilities are top notch and the coaching staff made me feel right at home as soon I stepped foot on campus."
BATES, Morgan
M • Fr. • Cincinnati, Ohio • Sycamore HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Sycamore High School (Cincinnati)… four-year varsity player in both lacrosse and basketball... in lacrosse, helped her team to the state semifinals in her final two years of play and the conference title her senior year... regional finalists her first two seasons... named the conference player of the year as a senior and earned all-state and US Lacrosse All-America honors... finished her career holding the school records in goals, points and draw controls while setting the single-season draw controls record her junior year... academically, was selected to the Honor Roll and the National Honor Society... also was a member of DECA and the Student Athletic Leadership Team... comes from a very athletic family as she is the third child to play collegiately, the third in her family to compete for UC and the fifth overall to play in college... her dad (Doug) played football at Indiana and Cincinnati... her brother Doug was a member of the UC football team (2016-19) before playing at Miami (Ohio) as a graduate transfer... brother Brenden plays football at Kentucky... grandfather Gene Neff played basketball and baseball at Kentucky and also spent six years playing with the Detroit Tigers.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I was born and raised in Cincinnati. Once I found out I could come play and represent my city, I couldn't pass up that opportunity. My father and brother played football here, so I'm carrying on the family legacy of playing sports at this university. While watching many of my brother's football games at Nippert, the energy and atmosphere drew me in! The campus is so convenient and very easy to navigate. I fell in love with it right when I stepped foot on campus."
CAULK, Emma
D • Fr. • Centreville, Md. • Queen Anne's County HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Queen Anne's County High School (Centreville, Md.)… four-year member of the lacrosse team as well as three years playing field hockey, three years running indoor track and one year of soccer... in lacrosse, captained the team her final two years... reached the state championship game her freshman year before falling in the state semifinals as a sophomore and senior... region and conference champions three times... as a junior, named the Defensive Player of the Year and was tabbed All-Mid-Shore Second Team... added another second-team honor as a senior... in field hockey, team was state finalists her sophomore year and captured a pair of regional crowns... earned All-Mid-Shore Second Team as a senior and also was the defensive player of the year... played club lacrosse with Chesapeake Club Lacrosse... comes from a very athletic family... her father played football at Virginia while three uncles played football for the US Naval Academy... several cousins also played collegiately, including soccer at Radford and Louisiana-Monroe and football at Old Dominion.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"As soon as I stepped on campus for my tour, I fell in love with the athletic facilities and the life on campus. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to food! I could also envision myself playing lacrosse with the amazing coaching staff! I feel like I would never be bored with so much to do."
FINOTTI, Sophia
M/D • Fr. • Westerville, Ohio • St. Francis DeSales HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of St. Francis DeSales High School (Columbus, Ohio)… four-year member of the varsity team that also was coached by her father, Joe... helped her team to a pair of Ohio Division II crowns, including 2016 and 2019... four-time regional champion as well... named a US Lacrosse All-American in 2019... two-time team MVP, including her senior year after she broke the school's all-time goal record with 258... scored 98 goals her senior year to hit the record... added 14 assists in her career for 272 career points... four-time all-league first-team honoree... four-time all-region selection, including first-team her final three years... three-time all-state, including first team as a senior... four-time Academic All-Ohio... played club lacrosse for Lucky Lax... is the second member of her family to play lacrosse at UC, joining her sister Jennie, who is a junior.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because, on my visits, I enjoyed the coaches and teammates, and it just felt like home for me. The campus offers many academic opportunities and activities I can be part of. I felt the most comfortable here at UC."
GREEN, Anna
M/A • Fr. • Chalfont, Pa. • Central Bucks South HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Central Bucks South High School (Warrington, Pa.)… played four years of lacrosse, ran three years of cross country and two years of winter track for the Titans... ... named a US Lacrosse All-American after her senior year... led the state in scoring as a junior after tallying 147 points on 105 goals and 42 assists... scored 229 goals and added 107 assists for 336 points over her final three years of play... earned three Suburban One League all-conference honors, including first-team accolades each of her last two seasons... earned a trio of school honors, including the Achievement Award (sophomore), Most Valuable Offensive Player Award (junior) and Team MVP (senior)... twice earned academic All-America honors (junior and senior years)... received the Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award her senior year... played club with Ultimate Lacrosse... comes from an athletic family: her mom (Paula) played tennis at Richmond; her aunt (Deb) played lacrosse at James Madison; her cousin (Emily) played lacrosse at American; and her cousin (Madeleine) played lacrosse at East Stroudsburg.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because I wanted a big school with a lot of school spirit and pride. I felt an instant connection with the coaches and the players that I didn't find anywhere else. I also wanted to study business and Lindner has an outstanding reputation and, with the new building and access to the city, it is the perfect fit for me."
HANCOCK, Kenna
A • Fr. • New Freedom, Pa. • Susquehannock HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Susquehannock High School (Glen Rock, Pa.)… four-year varsity starter in lacrosse... also played field hockey... earned all-county honors four times in lacrosse, including first-team accolades her final three seasons... helped the team to the state semifinals twice... won the District 3A tournament as a sophomore and were runners-up her junior season... amassed 334 points in her four years on the field as she scored 193 goals and added 141 assists... biggest year came in her junior season when she scored 84 goals and added 35 assists for 119 points... played club lacrosse for TLC.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because of the beautiful campus, academic options, and great team dynamic."
MLKVY, Dani
M • Fr. • Berlin, N.J. • Eastern Regional HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Eastern Regional High School (Voorhees, N.J.)… four-year member of the varsity lacrosse team and three-year field hockey player... in lacrosse, her team captured the South Jersey Group IV state title her senior season after winning the conference crown that year as well... broke the team's single-season draw control record her junior year with 127 before shattering it again her senior year with 142... two-time all-conference, including first-team as a senior... earned All-South Jersey Second Team and All-New Jersey Group IV First Team accolades... played club lacrosse for Garden State Elite... academically, twice earned National Academic Squad honors in field hockey (2018 & 2019)... is the third in her family to play collegiately as she joins her older sister, Sam, on the team at UC... sister Mackenzie plays field hockey at West Chester University.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because I loved the atmosphere of the well-known sports on campus, as well as the high level of the lacrosse program. Along with the great athletics, it also has multiple programs that I think I would be interested in studying."
MOTTICE, Peyton
M • Fr. • Downingtown, Pa. • Downingtown West HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Downingtown West High School (Downingtown, Pa.)… played three sports at DWHS, including four years of lacrosse, three soccer (freshman through junior) and one golf (senior)... in lacrosse, amassed 306 total points in her career that included 241 goals on 70% shooting... recorded 274 draw controls and 146 ground balls as well... earned US Lacrosse All-America honors her senior season... three-time all-league first-team selection... helped her team reach the state tournament each of her last two years, including a trip to the semifinals as a senior... on a club level, played for a pair of teams, including PA Express and HHH... academically sound as well as she was selected for the National Honor Society while also earning a place on the High Honor Roll all four years... is the third member of her family to play at UC, including her father (Mike) and cousin (Kyle), both of whom were members of the Bearcats baseball program.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because I thought it was the best fit for me academically and athletically. The campus, student life, and athletic facilities are impressive. Coach Gina and the entire staff made me feel so welcome and I can't wait to learn from them and develop as a lacrosse player."
POPE, Gianna
G • Fr. • Grapevine, Texas • The Episcopal School of Dallas
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of The Episcopal School of Dallas (Dallas, Texas)… four starter in goal for the varsity team at ESD... captured Texas state titles her sophomore and senior seasons and were state semifinalists her freshman and junior campaigns... won the Southwest Preparatory Conference (Texas & Oklahoma schools) title as a sophomore and finished runners-up her final two seasons... earned all-state, all-district and all-SPC honors... name the Texas Division I MVP her junior year... served as the team's captain as a senior and was named the team's MVP as well... also played varsity field hockey during her time at ESD... played club lacrosse for Grit Lacrosse in Dallas... plans to study criminal justice at UC with plans to work as a detective in a human trafficking division.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC due to its reputation in the criminal justice field and its emphasis on experiential learning and internships. In addition to its academics, the lacrosse team gave this large university a small school feel. I knew the women's lacrosse team would be my family away from home where I would be encouraged and supported throughout my collegiate career."
REIST, Claire
M • Fr. • Cary, N.C. • Panther Creek HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Panther Creek High School (Cary, N.C.)… a four-year varsity player for PCHS... ... earned US Lacrosse All-America honors her senior year... twice a team captain (junior and senior)... helped her team to the conference title her junior season... left the program as its all-time record holder in assists, ground balls, interceptions and draw controls while also ranking second in goals scored... four-time all-conference honoree and one-time conference player of the year... earned all-Metro accolades in 2018 and 2019... selected for the All-Catamount Award, which is given annually at PCHS to the top female for athletics and academic success... named the recipient of the Jackie Pitts Award from the North Carolina chapter of US Lacrosse... academically, selected to the school's honor roll all four years as well as academic all-conference... graduated Summa Cum Laude... played for the club team Carolina Flight (Raleigh).
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because it was the best of both worlds in the sense that it encompasses the benefits of a city school, yet still has a college campus atmosphere. The academic opportunities of being at a school affiliated with a world class medical center and great athletic programs made it a perfect fit for me."
WEHLAND, Grace
M • Fr. • Bel Air, Md. • Bel Air HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Bel Air High School (Bel Air, Md.)… highly decorated player in three sports, including lacrosse, soccer and basketball, and was part of two state championship teams... varsity starter for all three all four years of play... in lacrosse, helped her team to the Maryland 3A/4A state title as a sophomore... team reached the state semifinals the following year as well... scored 59 goals in her career... earned second-team all-county as a junior... in soccer, started on defense her first three seasons before moving to midfield as a senior... helped the team to the Maryland 3A state title her freshman year... team reached the state semifinals each of the next two years... two-time all-county first-team honoree... on the hardwood, started all four years and served as the team's captain her final three years... helped the team to state quarterfinals as a sophomore... selected for the BAHS Class of 2019 Outstanding Female Athlete Award at the end of her career... also played for several club teams as well, including NEMS Lacrosse, Forest Hills Mustangs (basketball) and soccer sides Baltimore Bays and Northern Elite... strong academically as well as she earned a place on the school's Honor Roll every quarter of her prep career... selected to the National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) two times each... held offices in several club organizations at BAHS as well, including class vice president (sophomore-senior) and Varsity Club (all four years and was president as a senior)... the youngest of four girls, she is the second to play collegiate lacrosse as her sister Anna currently plays at Salisbury (2017-20).
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose Cincinnati because from the moment I stepped foot on campus it just felt right. The campus is beautiful, and the coaches were so welcoming and encouraging and provided exactly the kind of motivation I was looking for. The city of Cincinnati is exactly where I want to be."
WURZEL, Emily
M • Fr. • Chester Springs, Pa. • Downingtown East HS
PRIOR TO UC: A 2019 graduate of Downingtown East High School (Exton, Pa.)… two-sport standout for DEHS as she was a four-year varsity player in both lacrosse and soccer... in lacrosse, played her first three seasons before an injury sidelined her senior campaign... in those three years, tallied 142 goals and added 49 assists for 191 points... three-time all-league selection, including first-team as a junior... twice named All-Philadelphia Third Team (sophomore and junior)... team reached the state tournament in her final two years playing, including the semifinals her sophomore campaign... in soccer, three-time all-league honoree, including first-team accolades her sophomore and junior seasons... helped her team to the state tournament that year as well... injured late in the year her senior season as the team went on to win the conference title... outside of high school, played for club teams PA Express (lacrosse) and Continental SC (soccer)... is the third member of her family to play collegiate lacrosse with sister Haleigh having played for Mercer (3 years) and Old Dominion (1) and sister Hannah is currently playing for Wofford.
WHY I CHOSE UC:
"I chose UC because of the tight knit group of girls on the team and their drive to succeed. The opportunity to be part of an up and coming team and to be able to contribute to the team's future success is exciting. I also liked the feel of a city campus, which also feels like its own community. The big sports atmosphere as well as the academics at UC is definitely something I knew I wanted for my college career."