Aug. 26, 2009

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne lacrosse Michael Scerbo has announced the signings of Laura Aeschlbacher, Casey Denk , Meredith Dunn, Aubrey Green, Lauren Johnson, Kate Linkosky, Kara Nelson and Riley Schamburg to the 2010 squad.

Aeschlbacher (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) led the Bruins to back-to-back-back Colorado High School Activities Association state championships as well as a #1 ranking in the Western States.

"Laura is an intelligent and hard-working lacrosse player that has accumulated a great deal of experience playing for the best high school program in Colorado," said Scerbo. "She will be a great asset this season."

Aeschlbacher plans to major in business.

Denk (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta), who scored 75 points her senior season, was a four-time All-Greater Rochester selection. She led the Royal Comets to the 2008 Section V championship and a berth in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Regionals.

"Casey has excellent speed and is a great shooter," said Scerbo. "While she played more attack for her club program we expect her to play as a midfielder where she can use that speed to make plays on both offense and defense."

Denk plans on to study in the physician assistant program.

Dunn (Littleton, Colo./Regis Jesuit), who was ranked 20th in the inaugural West Side Lacrosse Power Rankings, led the Raiders to their first-ever Colorado High School Activities Association state championship appearance in 2009. Dunn was named to the Continental League's first-team squad as well as being selected to the All-State Honorable Mention team.

"Meredith is a tireless worker and a gifted athlete," said Scerbo. "Her height and speed set her apart. We expect her to come in with the ability to play either attack or midfield where she will have an impact right away."

Dunn plans on to study in the physician assistant program.

Green (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron) picked up 27 ground balls her senior year while leading Lady Vikings to the state championship match. She was on the 2007 Mt. Hebron team with current Dukes' teammates Sarah Cates and Katie Rekart that won the Maryland State Championship.

"Aubrey is a quick and speedy defender that will help us fortify that end of the field," said Scerbo. "She understands defense well and will make the transition from high school to college schemes very quickly."

Green plans on majoring in elementary education.

Johnson (Hampstead, Md./Mount de Sales Academy) led Sailors to a berth in the 2009 Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland Tournament.

"Lauren is a tremendous athlete and lacrosse player with a great background from her club program," said Scerbo. She is can play both ends of the field and we expect her to make a major impact this year."

Johnson plans on majoring in environmental sciences.

Linkosky (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt Lebanon) led the Blue Devils to the 2008 Midwest Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association Championship as well as back-to-back berths in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championship match. The three-year letter winner was named to the Upper Atlantic National team and was a Academic All-American.

"Kate is a pure defender that loves to deny someone an opportunity," said Scerbo. She is tall and aggressive which allows her to see the field well and direct traffic around her."

Linkosky plans on majoring in elementary education.

Nelson (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) is a two-time New York State National Lacrosse team member and Academic All-American. Along with Denk, she was a member of the Lady Roc Emeralds.

"Kara has incredible quickness and is an aggressive player," said Scerbo. "She works extremely hard and we expect her to be able to mark up an opponents leading goal scorer or be able to run the midfield and score for us."

Nelson plans on majoring in sports marketing.

Schamburg (Reisterstown, Md./Roland Park), who scored 37 goals and registered 18 assists her senior season, was a three-year letter winner. She led the Reds to a berth in the 2009 Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland Tournament.

"Riley has an incredible presence on the attack end of the field," said Scerbo. "With her height and the fact that she is a natural lefty, she will tough to defend with the ball and will be a great target off ball for our feeders."

Schamburg plans on majoring in business.

The Dukes return 17 players from last season's team. The 2010 schedule will be released at a later date.