Pugliese Inks NCAA Letter of Intent
Emilie Pugliese has signed a NCAA national letter of intent to attend High Point University in North Carolina on a lacrosse scholarship. The Huntington senior was wooed by an assortment of colleges during the recruiting process.
"I am beyond thrilled for Emilie and am excited for her future lacrosse endeavors," said Nancy Wilson, Huntington's head coach. "Emilie is a gifted athlete who has had a tremendous impact upon the Huntington lacrosse program. She is a tenacious two-way lacrosse player who has had a significant impact on our offensive, transition and defensive game play."
Known as a fierce competitor, Pugliese can do just about anything on the lacrosse field. She has also earned varsity letters with Blue Devil girls' soccer team and winter track and field.
"It's going to be great playing with a different group of girls and creating new friends," Pugliese said. "It will be great to focus on the game of lacrosse and help bring the Panthers to the next level."
"She leads our team with speed, endurance and outstanding stick skills," Wilson said. "Emilie is always willing to rise to the challenges presented to her. She is scouted by the other teams and I have been impressed by her toughness which has enabled her to succeed even when double marked."
Pugliese scored 32 goals and added 30 assists last spring for the Blue Devil lacrosse team. She earned All-Division honors as a sophomore and junior and played the past two summers with the Long Island Express Blue club team.
"I started playing lacrosse in seventh grade," Pugliese said. "Since then, it has been hard work playing throughout the years on both my school team and club team during the summer. The goal of earning a spot on a Division I women's lacrosse team was not an easy one to accomplish. I have learned that you have to always try and better your game 12 months a year."
The senior's career varsity stats include 51 goals, 48 assists, 78 ground balls and 11 interceptions. "Emilie can take charge on the field, but is never selfish," Wilson said. "She will take it to the net when needed, but also maintains awareness of her teammates and will set them up for success. Her drive and second effort make her a key impact player with ground ball recovery and the possession game."
After going on visiting many schools, talking to coaches, searching her heart and sitting down with her parents, Pugliese narrowed down her college possibilities to Mount St. Mary's, Towson State and High Point, a relatively new Division I program that competes in the Big South Conference.
"It has been a pleasure to coach such an open-minded, hard working player," Wilson said. "Emilie is a dream to work with and a wonderful role model. I am certain that Emilie will enhance the Highpoint lacrosse program and that she will be a force to be reckoned with at the college level. I am so proud of her!"
"I thank my parents for supporting me the whole way through," Pugliese said.