SAN DIEGO – After a 2021 season that included historic victories and record-breaking performances, the San Diego State lacrosse team looks to make a mark on the national stage this season, welcoming 11 new team members to the Mesa for the 2022 campaign.
"The newest additions to our Aztec Family have hit the ground running since the day they stepped foot on campus," noted head coach Kylee White. "They have already made a huge impact on the team by increasing the intensity and skill level at practice. This group brings energy, excitement, and continues our tradition of what it means to be an Aztec Lacrosse player. They have bought into the Aztec culture immediately and will elevate our program to the next level."
Below is an in-depth look at the newest additions to the SDSU lacrosse program:
#24 Deanna Balsama
Sea Isle City, N.J./ Washington Township High (George Mason)
Position: Attack
At George Mason
Spent three years as a Patriot, starting in 36 of her 38 career appearances at George Mason … Totaled 98 goals, 40 assists, 138 points, 40 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers, and 108 draw controls in her three-year campaign … Paced the Patriots in goals scored all three years of her career … Named 2019 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year … Garnered second-team all-conference honors during her freshman campaign … Earned VaSID All-State honors during her sophomore season … Named to the A-10 All-Academic Team in 2021.
Prior to College
Totaled four varsity letters as a member of the Washington Township High School Lacrosse team in Sewell, N.J. … Was named First Team All-Conference each year of her high school career … Named Second-Team All-South Jersey in 2017 and 2018 … Earned USA Lacrosse All-American honors in 2018 … Holds the Washington Township school record for most goals scored … Was the captain of the Minute Maids' lacrosse team in 2017 and 2018 … Also earned two letters as a member of the Washington Township High School's soccer team and four letters as a member of the Minute Maids' women's basketball team.
Personal
Daughter of Danielle and Ben Balsama … Has two brothers, Benjamin and Brandon, who both played collegiate Ice Hockey … Wants to work for the FBI … Lists Kobe Bryant as her favorite athlete … Plans to major in Criminal Justice at San Diego State.
#15 Emma Betts
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada / Elgin Park Secondary
Position: Midfield
Prior to College
Spent her high school academic years at Elgin Park Secondary in Surrey, B.C., Canada … Competed for the Surrey (Field) Warriors and Semiahmoo Rock (Box) Lacrosse Team as well as Team British Columbia (Field and Box) during her high school years … As a field lacrosse player, named a provincial All-Star in 2015 and 2016 … Named to the 2020-21 Team BC Senior Team … Played in the 2018 Under Armour All-American tournament as part of the West Team … Was a silver medalist at the U19 Canadian National Field Lacrosse Championships … As a box lacrosse player, named Box Provincial MVP … Earned championships with the Semiahmoo box lacrosse team in 2014 and 2018 (Provincial Champions) … Also won a national championship in 2017 with Team BC Box lacrosse.
Personal
Daughter of Mark Betts … Lists hobbies as playing guitar, listening to music and traveling … Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan … Plans to major in Kinesiology.
#28 Caitlin Boughton
South Riding, Va./ Bishop Ireton High
Position: Goalkeeper
Prior to College
Spent four seasons in goal for Richard Sofield and the Bishop Ireton's lacrosse team … Part of the Cardinals' team that were WCAC Champions in both 2018 and 2019 and VISAA Division Champions in 2018 … Also played Field Hockey and Basketball … Competed at the 2018 Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic in the Command Division.
Personal
Daughter of Vicki and Brendan Boughton … Lists her hobbies as hiking, snorkeling, and wakesurfing … Names her favorite athlete as Noelle Lambert … Plans to major in Kinesiology with hopes of becoming a physical therapist.
#19 Kate Christos
Madison, N.J./ Madison High
Position: Midfield
Prior to College
Lettered for three different varsity programs during her high school career at Madison High School in Madison, N.J. … Was a member of the Dodgers' lacrosse team for all four of her high school years … Named Second Team all-Freedom South in 2018 and 2019 … In 2019, also earned second-team all-league and second-team all-Morris County honors … During her senior season, was the captain and MVP of her squad, named a US Lacrosse All-American and collected first-team all-Freedom South Conference, second-team all-group, and first-team all-league honors ... In 2021, registered Freedom South Conference All-Academic team accolades alongside being named a 2021 Morris County Scholar-Athlete … Also a decorated athlete on Madison's varsity soccer and women's basketball teams (all four years of high school), including acting as a captain for both squads in 2021 and collecting multiple all-county and all-conference honors during her four-year career.
Personal
Daughter of Andrew and Kimberly Christos …. Her brother, Andy plays basketball at Penn State … Her mom played lacrosse at the College of William and Mary while her father played soccer and lacrosse at Hobart College … Also has two younger sisters … Lists her hobbies as drawing and going to the beach … Enters SDSU as an undecided major.
#44 Reilly Hunter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada/ Birchmount Park C.I.
Position: Midfield
Prior to College
Attended Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada … Competed as a member of the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse team and was also on Team Ontario for five seasons … Part of the 2019 Team Ontario team that won the Canadian National Championship … Earned First-Team All-Star honors at the Under-17 Ontario Summer Games in 2018 … Was named Female Athlete of the Year at Birchmount in the same year … Also ran track and competed in Ice Hockey … Collected Birchmount Park High School Varsity Track and Field MVP honors in 2018 … Acted as the captain of her Ice Hockey Team, the Toronto Leaside Wildcats.
Personal
Daughter of Mary Ormsby and Paul Hunter … Ormsby played collegiate volleyball at Ohio State and currently resides in the University's Athletic Hall of Fame … Has three older brothers, Rob, who played lacrosse at Siena College, Sam, and Will ... Lists her favorite athlete as Auston Matthews … Enjoys paddle boarding and listening to music … Plans to major in Journalism.
#3 Julia Lytle
Martinsville, N.J./ Bridgewater-Raritan High (Rutgers)
Position: Midfield
At Rutgers
Appeared in 41 career games with 22 starts during her collegiate career … Capped off her career in New Jersey with a senior campaign that included 20 ground balls, 13 points, and 12 caused turnovers in 16 starts in the midfield … Scored two goals and collected four ground balls in RU's opening-round NCAA Championship tournament win over No. 10 Drexel, the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history ... Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times (2019-21) and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar accolades twice (2020-21).
Prior to College
Earned four letters as a starter at Bridgewater-Raritan High School … Helped the Panthers to a Tournament of Champions and NJSIAA state title during her senior season (2017) … Named an Academic All-American during the same year … Totaled 140 points (92 goals, 48 assists) during her high school career … Also played varsity soccer for three seasons.
Personal
Daughter of Carole Lytle … Has two sisters, Dana, who played collegiate soccer at the University of Buffalo, and Melanie, who currently plays soccer at College of the Holy Cross … Likes to snowboard, surf, and drive in her spare time … Her favorite athlete is Mark McMorris … Graduated from Rutgers with degrees in Psychology and Neuro-Cognitive Science … While at SDSU, is working towards her Master's in Counseling with a concentration in restorative justice and trauma.
#12 Joelle Rothbard
Costa Mesa, Calif./ Newport Harbor High
Position: Midfield
Prior to College
Spent four seasons playing for coach Brooke Martini and the Newport Harbor High School Sailors lacrosse team … Led her team in ground balls in both 2018 and 2019 … Named to the 2021 All-CIF Southern Section team during her senior season … Acted as a captain in her senior campaign … Also was a member of the Sailors' Field Hockey team and was a part of the National Honors Society at Newport Harbor High School.
Personal
Daughter of Heidi and Geoffrey Rothbard … Has a sister, Adena, a senior who plays lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire … Lists hobbies as reading, spending time at the beach, skiing and surfing … Favorite athlete is Michelle Tumolo … Plans to major in business.
#2 Tierney Schaible
Sterling, Va. / Dominion High
Position: Midfield
Prior to College
Competed for the Dominion High School Titans lacrosse team in Sterling, Va. … Earned first-team all-district honors four times, first-team all-state honors two times, and was named to the all-county team once … Was honored as the 2021 Loudon County Player of the Year … The Titans were back-to-back state champions in 2020 and 2021.
Personal
Daughter of Erin and Lance Schaible … Has two brothers, Caden and Jacob … Lists her hobbies as painting and coloring … Favorite athlete is Sydney Crosby ... Plans to major in Production, Film and New Media.
#7 Daria Sciutto
El Dorado Hills, Calif./ Oak Ridge High
Position: Midfield
Prior to College
Spent four years as a member of the Oak Ridge High School's lacrosse team … Was named a 2021 USA Lacrosse All-American … Led the Oak Ridge Lacrosse team in ground balls during her senior season … Named First-Team All-Sac Valley Lacrosse … Honored as Folsom Telegraph Athlete of the Week … Spent her senior season as the captain of the Trojans … Also earned two letters playing Varsity Soccer as a defender … Ran cross country for the Trojans as a freshman.
Personal
Daughter of Ann Marie and Kent Sciutto … Has a sister, Nicole Sciutto … Born in Russia ... Loves to travel, hike, and spend time boating … Lists her favorite athlete as Kobe Bryant … Plans to study Kinesiology in hopes of becoming a trauma nurse.
#35 Nikki Seven
Crofton, Md./ Arundel High
Position: Attack
Prior to College
Earned four letters as a member of the Arundel Wildcats' lacrosse team … Spent her senior campaign as the team's captain while leading the squad in assists … Also earned first-team all Anne Arundel County honors during her senior year … Named an Anne Arundel County honorable mention for her efforts during her sophomore season … A multi-sport athlete, also earned four varsity letters on both the Wildcats' basketball and field hockey teams … Captain of the Arundel High School basketball and field hockey teams in addition to the lacrosse team during the 2020-21 school year … Was the Wildcats' leading scorer in basketball in 2018-19, and the field hockey team's leading scorer from 2018-2020 … Named first-team all-Maryland in field hockey during the 2019 season.
Personal
Daughter of Nanette and Bill Seven … Has a twin sister, Izzi, who plays lacrosse at East Carolina University … Likes to spend her free time playing spikeball, cooking pasta, and reading … Lists her favorite athlete as Alex Ovechkin … Enters SDSU as an undecided major.
#17 Sloane Skalstad
Pasadena, Md./ Mount de Sales Academy (Fresno State)
Position: Midfield
At Fresno State
Started in the Bulldogs' opening two games of the 2021 season before suffering a season-ending injury ... In her first collegiate start, recorded two goals, two ground balls, and seven draw controls in Fresno State's season opener at the eventual 2021 MPSF Champion UC Davis (Feb. 14).
Prior to College
A four-year letterwinner for Eric Pfeiler and the Mount de Sales Academy Sailors' lacrosse team … Named a 2019-20 IAAM A All-Conference selection ... Was the 2019 Mount de Sales Academy lacrosse MVP ... Earned the award of the Sailors' unsung hero in 2018 ... Was a USA Lacrosse All-American nominee in 2019 ... In 2015, traveled to England and played on the Crossover Lacrosse team ... Finished her time at Mount de Sales as the record holder of most career goals (114) ... In her senior season, scored 57 goals, collected 17 assists, recorded 9 interceptions and captured 41 draw controls … Spent time as an active member of the National Spanish Honor Society.
Personal
Daughter of Mitchell and Stacey Skalstad … Has a sister, Sydney, who also played for Fresno State before the discontinuation of the program, and is now a senior at Quinnipiac, playing for their lacrosse program … Lists her favorite athlete as Michael Jordan … Enjoys tanning, hiking, going to the beach, shopping and boating in her spare time … Previously studied enology (the study of winemaking) at Fresno State … Plans to major in business with a specialization in entrepreneurship while at San Diego State.