2011 Roster | 2011 Schedule

The Northeastern University field hockey team announced its class of seven newcomers for the 2011 season on Monday, July 18. This group of players will look to help guide the Huskies back to the CAA Tournament for the second straight season.

Sam Burke (Ipswich, Mass.) is one of four local products in this year's class. She played four years of field hockey at Brooks School in North Andover, Mass. A defender, Burke helped lead her team to the New England Class B semifinals four straight seasons from 2007-10. She served as captain for one season and was an Academic All-American in 2010. Burke was also the primary penalty stroke taker.

“She is a smart player who does the simple things well,” head coach Cheryl Murtagh said. “I feel Sam will keep growing with us at NU and I look forward to working with her.”

Katie Carlson (Watertown, Mass.) begins her career at Northeastern after four fine years at Watertown High School. This past season, she helped her team capture its second straight state championship with an impressive 23-0-0 record. She was a Boston Globe All-Star in 2009 and 2010. Her quality play also earned her a selection to the 2011 Junior National Camp.

“I'm excited to see Katie was selected to the Junior National Camp,” Murtagh said. “She was a great high school defender who can pass and overlap into the attack.”

Allena Dennis (Readville, Mass.) arrives at NU following four seasons at Middlesex School. As a back, she was a Boston Globe All-Star in 2009 and 2010. Last season, she made the 2010 Class B NEPSAC All-Tournament Team. Dennis was also a 2011 ISL All-League selection as Middlesex advanced to the championship game.

“Alenna is a strong, physical player,” Murtagh said. “She is possibly a red-shirt for us in 2011 and will get some good experience her freshman year.”

Laura Dimitruk (Andover, Mass.) comes to Northeastern after she played four years of field hockey for Andover High School. As a midfielder, she captained the 2010 squad to a perfect 24-0-0 record and the first state championship in school history. For her accomplishments, she was recognized as the 2010 Boston Globe Player of the Year and was a 2010 Boston Herald All-Scholastic and the 2010 Eagle Tribune MVP.

“Laura gets better every time I see her play,” Murtagh said. “She's a great tackler and will join our back defenders in 2011.”

Annelise Hutchison (Whistler, British Columbia) shined as a forward during three seasons at Brentwood College School. She was instrumental in helping Brentwood finish in fifth place at the 2010 Provincial Championships and third place in 2009. Aside from her success at Brentwood, Hutchison also played for the Vancouver Island U-18 team for two seasons.

“Annelise has good forward skills,” Murtagh said. “She will redshirt, but she has some great experience playing in Canada which will help her in her transition to NU.”

Caroline Judge (Lewes, Del.) joins the Huskies after four successful seasons at Cape Henlopen High School. The versatile midfielder served as captain in her senior season at Cape Henlopen and helped lead her squad to three straight conference championships from 2008-10. She was also a Regional All-American and Academic All-American in 2010. Her talents were also visible on the lacrosse field, where she helped guide her team to three straight state titles from 2009-11. Judge was named the 2011 Cape Henlopen High School Female Athlete of the Year.

“Caroline has the skills to play in the midfield right away,” Murtagh said. “She is smart and strong on the ball.”

Hilary Smith (Summit, N.J.) heads to Huntington Ave. after four productive years at Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, N.J. She excelled as both a forward and a midfielder, especially in her junior year, when she made first team All-Conference, first team All-Morris County and second team All-North New Jersey. She was also a National Futures Championship selection from 2009-11, a USA Futures Elite selection from 2010-11, and an AAU Junior Olympics selection in 2009.

“She is very quick,” Murtagh said. “Hilary knows the game and sees the field very well. She could help us in the midfield.”

These seven freshmen will join a roster laden with veteran talent, including six seniors. The Huskies begin their 2011 campaign with a road contest at Maine on August 26 at 6 p.m.