University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Add Six More for 2015-16
5/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Gopher women's hockey team is pleased to announce the addition of six student-athletes who will join the defending national champions for the 2015-16 season. Anna Barlow, Tianna Gunderson, Emma May, Caitlin Reilly, Nicole Schammel, and Sierra Smith join Minnesota's early signees of Sarah Potomak, Sophie Skarzynski, and Taylor Williamson to make up next season's incoming class.
"We are thrilled that these six Minnesota players have decided to become Gophers," head coach Brad Frost said. "After having a thin roster over this past year, it was critical to increase our depth and provide more competition. All nine of our incoming players will add greatly to that depth, but more importantly, they will add tremendous value to our culture. Both Nicole and Caitlin have played at a high level over this past year, so that should benefit them going forward."
Anna Barlow, Defense, South St. Paul High School
Anna Barlow joins the Gophers from South St. Paul High School where she was a six-time hockey letterwinner for the Packers. Barlow led South St. Paul with 22 points in 24 games played as a senior, helping the Packers to a semifinal finish at the 2014 Minnesota Class A State Tournament. Barlow is a three-time all-state honoree and four-time All-Metro East Conference honoree in hockey and finished her career with 154 points on 43 goals and 111 assists. She played with the Minnesota Junior Whitecaps as well. A two-sport athlete with the Packers, Barlow is also a five-time letterwinner, three-time all-conference honoree and two-time state tournament participant in soccer.
"I chose the U because of its great academics, the location, and the overall environment on campus," said Barlow, the daughter of Scott Barlow and Wendy Grimshaw. Barlow intends to major in physiology or biomedical engineering with a minor in Spanish.
Tianna Gunderson, Forward, Roseau High School
Tianna Gunderson comes to Minnesota as a left-handed forward from Roseau High School. She led the Rams to the Section 8AA title in 2012 and 2014 and the 2012 Minnesota State Class AA Consolation Championship. She was chosen as the Rams Team MVP as a senior after recording 50 points on 32 goals and 18 assists in 28 games. Gunderson was a two-time all-state and All-Section 8 Conference honoree in hockey. She played club hockey with both the Northern Starzz and the Minnesota Selects North team.
"I love the campus, and the University of Minnesota has great academics and a great coaching staff," Gunderson said on why she chose Minnesota. She is the daughter of Dale and Katie Gunderson.
Emma May, Goaltender, Cretin-Derham Hall
A left-handed goaltender from Eagan, Minn., Emma May joins the Gophers from Cretin-Derham Hall High School. A five-time All-Suburban East Conference honoree, May led Cretin-Derham Hall to a 21-4-3 overall record as a senior this season. She was named a third-team All-American by USA Today and a Ms. Goalie finalist along with picking up Star Tribune All-Metro third team honors in 2014-15. She also has experience playing for the Minnesota Junior Whitecaps, Minnesota Blades, Ice Cats and the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. May finished her high school career with a 1.78 goals against average with a .915 save percentage.
May played with current Gopher Megan Wolfe at Eagan before spending the last three seasons at Cretin-Derham Hall. May explained that she chose the University of Minnesota for the outstanding athletics and academics. The daughter of Denise and Kevin May, she intends to study business and sports marketing.
Caitlin Reilly, Forward, Penn State (Benilde-St. Margaret's)
Caitlin Reilly, a left-handed forward from Chanhassen, Minn., joins the Gophers after spending her freshman season at Penn State in 2014-15. She recorded 16 points on six goals and 10 assists in 37 games for the Nittany Lions and was a three-time CHA Rookie of the Week honoree. Reilly played high school hockey for Benilde-St. Margaret's where she was a four-time All-Metro West Conference honoree and a two-time all-state honoree. As a senior in 2013-14, Reilly and current Gopher Kelly Pannek led the Knights to a 27-3-1 overall record and a runner-up finish at the Minnesota Class AA State Tournament. Reilly recorded 84 points on 44 goals and 40 assists as a senior for 209 career points. Reilly also has experience attending USA Hockey Developmental Camps.
"I chose Minnesota because I wanted to be closer to home and have my family be able to watch me play more as well as be a part of a program with so much history," Reilly said. "I also chose Minnesota for the academic opportunities this school offers." Reilly is the daughter of Mike and Lisa Reilly and becomes the fourth Reilly sibling to skate for the Maroon & Gold, joining brothers Connor, Ryan and Mike. Her older sister Shannon played hockey at Ohio State from 2007-2011, and she intends to study Business and Marketing Education with a minor in communications.
Nicole Schammel, Forward, Minnesota State (Red Wing High School)
A left-handed forward from Red Wing, Minn., Nicole Schammel joins the Gophers as a transfer student from Minnesota State. Schammel spent the 2014-15 season with the Mavericks, leading the team with 22 points on 11 goals and 11 assists. She was a two-time WCHA Rookie of the Week honoree. Schammel played high school hockey for Red Wing High School alongside current Gopher Paige Haley. A six-time letterwinner, Schammel led the Wingers to five-straight Minnesota Class A State Tournament appearances, including third-place showings in 2014, 2013 and 2009. She was a Minnesota Ms. Hockey finalist in 2014 and finished her high school career with 457 points on 273 goals and 184 assists to rank second in Minnesota State High School League history. Schammel has attended USA Hockey Development Camps and played club hockey for the Minnesota Whitecaps. A multi-sport athlete at Red Wing, she was also an all-conference golfer and tennis player in high school.
"The University of Minnesota offers excellent academics along with a nationally recognized women's hockey program with an unparalleled culture," Schammel said. The daughter of Jim and Jeanne Schammel, she intends to study business and marketing education.
Sierra Smith, Forward, Stillwater High School
Sierra Smith joins the Gophers as a right-handed forward out of Stillwater High School. Smith recorded 24 points on 11 goals and 13 assists in 27 games played for the Ponies as a senior. She was recognized as an All-Suburban East Conference honoree in 2014-15 after earning honorable mention accolades the previous two seasons. Smith also played club hockey for the Minnesota Blades. Smith is the daughter of Janna Cody (mother) and Aaron Flaherty (step-father) and Michael Smith (father) and Tina Houston (step-mother). She intends to major in biochemistry and pre-med with a minor in Spanish.
"I have always dreamed of playing hockey at the U of M, even when I lived in Texas, and when I had the opportunity I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else," Smith said. "Also, I am a PSEO student here at the U now, so I'm already familiar with the campus and I have enjoyed it."
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