Second-year head coach Tanya Kotowicz announced four incoming members of the freshmen class on Thursday. The class of 2019 represents four states and is composed of attacker Carson Adelberger (Aston, PA), goalkeeper Jackie Branthover (Dayton, MD), attacker Jenna Henningsen (East Kingston, NH), and goalkeeper Diana Lenares (Newington, CT).
The incoming class brings a great deal of talent to New Britain and have all served in leadership roles while in high school. All four were captains of their lacrosse teams and three also served as captains of other sports (Adelberger in field hockey, Branthover in soccer and Henningsen in soccer).
All have earned multiple honors for their performance on the field, including Branthover who was been named an All-American and three who were named All-Conference (Adelberger, Branthover and Lenares).
All come to the Blue Devils after having played a pivotal role for successful programs, including three who were a part of championship games this past season. In the classroom they have all shown a commitment to their academics at the honors level.
Outside of the playing field, the incoming class has also contributed positively to their communities, including volunteering for various organizations and coaching at the youth level.
The newcomers join a roster full of returning veterans and look make an immediate impact. Central returns 18 players from last year's team, including nine who made at least 15 starts.
Here is a look at the newest Blue Devils:
Carson Adelberger
5' 5"/Attack/Aston, PA/Sun Valley High School
Club Team: HEADstrong LC
Sun Valley High School: As a four-year varsity starter and a 2015 captain for the Vanguards, Carson ended her career on a high note. In 2015, she was named to the First Team All-Chesmont and All-Delco Honorable Mention teams. She earned All-Chesmont and All-Delco Honorable Mention honors in both 2013 and 2014. Over her career she amassed 100+ goals and was a key piece of the Vanguards' offensive unit. Carson earned All-Delco Field Hockey Honorable Mention honors as well in 2014. Off the field, Carson has also found success, as she was an Honor Roll student for all four years of her high school career.
Why Central? "After meeting the team and hearing more about the lacrosse program I could really envision myself spending the next four years of my life as a Blue Devil and loving every minute of it."
Jackie Branthover
5' 3"/Goalie/Dayton, MD/Academy of the Holy Cross
Club Team: MC Elite
Academy of the Holy Cross: Jackie comes to New Britain after four successful years at the Academy of the Holy Cross. As a captain of the 2015 lacrosse team, she earned First Team Goalie honors for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Lacrosse League after earning Honorable Mention honors in her three previous years (2012-2014). In 2014 she was also named to the honorable mention list for the All-Gazette girls' lacrosse team and in 2015 she earned First Team Goalie honors. She was named to the Washington Post All-Met girls' lacrosse First Team in 2015. To round out her year, Jackie was named a 2015 All-American First Team selection as well earning the MVP award for the school's varsity team. Jackie was also a varsity soccer goalkeeper at the Academy of Holy Cross and became a captain in her final season. Off the field, Jackie has excelled, earning Second Honors in the classroom after both her freshman year and fall semester of sophomore year as well as earning First Honors in her spring semester of sophomore year and her junior and senior years
Why Central? "I chose to play at CCSU because I felt the family aspect to the team itself. I also saw how bright of a future CCSU athletics has and would like to be a part of a program that never gives up and only keeps pushing ourselves harder each day."
Jenna Henningsen
5' 7"/Midfield/East Kingston, NH/Exeter High School
Club Team: Lighthouse Lacrosse
Exeter High School: After a successful career at Exeter High School, Jenna brings invaluable experience to the Blue Devil family. In 2015 she was the captain of a team that qualified for the New Hampshire state tournament for the first time in program history. She earned the Coaches Award, Jackie Pitts Award and All-State Honors following the end of her final season. Jenna was also a member of the varsity soccer team during her career at Exeter. Off the field, Jenna excelled as a student, earning High Honors as well as being named a New Hampshire scholar as well as a Scholar Athlete.
Why Central? "I chose CCSU because it had everything I was looking for in a college, as far as size, location and major. The coaches share the same goals that I have for lacrosse and I know they will push me to my full potential."
Diana Lenares
5' 1"/Goalie/Newington, CT/Newington High School
Club Team: CT Dodgers
Newington High School: After a successful career at Newington High School, Diana comes to Central with four years of varsity lacrosse experience. In 2015, Diana was named captain of the varsity team at Newington and earned All-Conference honors as well as Academic All-Conference honors. Off the field, she was a member of the Music Honor Society and President of the Chamber Choir. She earned high honors and graduated this past May with honors.
Why Central? "When I met the coaching staff, I saw how serious they were about lacrosse and I love what the school has to offer student-athletes."
Central finished the 2015 season, the first under Kotowicz, in a tie for fourth place in the Northeast Conference with a 3-4 league record, including three wins in their final four games. They topped Wagner and Mount St. Mary's, who finished the regular-season tied for second place, in their final two contests of the year.
