SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo first year head coach Caitlin Hansen signed six women's lacrosse players for the class of 2022. Hansen and the Lions welcome an attacker, Kaci Archer, two midfielders, Carson Clark and Samantha Bell, and three defenders, Olivia Buthorn, Mackenzie Cotter, and Marisa Souchak.

Archer will be the newcomer among the Lions attackers. She hails from Kingsville, Maryland, playing for Perry Hall high school and the Looney's lacrosse club team. A four-year varsity lacrosse player and three-year team captain, Archer also competed for her high school's volleyball program. "I am looking forward to working with a player as passionate as Kaci," says Hansen. "She will be a great ambassador for our program and will enhance our attacking unit with her strong lacrosse background and IQ. I am excited to see how she integrates herself into our offense."
 

Bell crosses a number of time-zones to wear the Green and Gold proudly. From Cave Creek, Arizona, Bell has held the midfield at Pinnacle high school and for the team representing Arizona at the US National Tournament in 2017. She captained both teams in addition to earning Midfielder of the Year, team MVP, and All-Stars first team. Bell is also currently a high red belt working towards her black belt in karate. "Sam has an infectious energy; she will enhance our program on many levels. She will add speed and hustle to our midfield and be a presence on the attacking end." Hansen continues, "we will benefit from her lead-by-example and positive attitude."
 

Buthorn joins the Lions community from Middletown, New Jersey where she has been a four-year starter for Middletown South high school, led her team in groundballs in the 2017 season and was named the defensive MVP. In addition to her time playing for her high school, she has competed for the Team United lacrosse club. "I am very excited to have Olivia join our program. She is a well-rounded and coachable student-athlete and played for a quality club program. I know she will bring a strong defensive lacrosse IQ and skill set to our team."


Clark, a midfielder from Woodstock high school and Khaos lacrosse club,

transitions to Saint Leo, Florida from Canton, Georgia. A three sport athlete in high school, she also ran cross country and played basketball. Clark was named team MVP in 2017 and was a first team All-County selection for lacrosse in 2016 and 2017. "Carson will bring some toughness to our midfield. She is a worker who is not going to shy away from a 50/50 ball anywhere on the field. I look forward to seeing her develop as a player over her four years at Saint Leo into a threat on both ends of the field."

 

Cotter is a product of Cumberland high school in Cumberland, Rhode Island and played club for Coach Hansen on Team Elevate New England. A two sport athlete in high school, she was rookie of the year in both field hockey and lacrosse as well as first team All-Division, All-League and All-State. Additionally, she was the Division II Player of the Year in field hockey in 2015 and was selected to the Lower New England team for the US Lacrosse National Tournament in 2017. "I have worked with Mac for a few years now and I am so happy to have another four years with her. Aside from the personality she will bring to the program, her anticipation and defensive instincts along with her strong stickwork will strengthen our D-unit."
 
Souchak completes the trio of defenders joining the program. From Sarasota, Florida, Souchak comes from a four-year career at Riverview high school where she served as team captain and was an All-District 2017 first team selection. She is also a four-

year key contributor to her high school basketball team and was a staple for the lacrosse club team, Ripcurl. "I love that Marisa is a two sport athlete. I think you can really see the basketball translation in her game, especially on defense," explains Hansen. "She is a hard working player who is extremely coachable and will add tremendous value to our program."
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's lacrosse team, visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.