Student athletes to commit to Colgate University and Southern New Hampshire University

On Monday, November 14, three talented scholar-athletes will say yes to play at the collegiate level during this year’s National Letter of Intent Signing Period.

This year’s senior scholar-athletes are softball and volleyball player Mariel Schlaefer of Brookfield, triathlete (field hockey, basketball, and softball) Marissa Dowling of Huntington, formerly of Stratford, and basketball player Nicola Matero of Brookfield.

Mariel has been recruited by Division I Colgate University Raiders for her outstanding success as a catcher for the Lauralton Crusaders’ winning softball team. “Mariel is all-around great player,” said Athletics Director Nicolle Camara. With a batting average of .540 and an on-base percentage of .667, she is a member of the 2011 All-State Team and has played in the SWC Championships each of her four years at Lauralton Hall. She is also captain of the volleyball team.

In addition to being an outstanding player, off the field Mariel excels in academics as a member in the prestigious National Honor Society and offers many hours of her time in community service to several organizations including the Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown. She is particularly grateful for the support her parents, both Broadway performers, who have encouraged their athletic daughter in pursing her talents on the ball field.

Joining Mariel for the Colgate Raiders is her teammate and captain, shortstop Marissa Dowling. Recognized for her speed and accuracy, she is the team’s lead-off batter and on-base person. “She is an invaluable clutch player,” stated Coach and Science Department Chair Theresa Napolitano. “Marissa is always able to drive in a run when the game is on the line.” She is a member of the 2011 All-State Team.

Marissa is considered by coaches and teammates as being driven and an extremely hard worker. She is highly competitive but always epitomizes the best of sportsmanship. Being the consummate team leader, she takes charge on the field when needed but encourages and helps all players to excel. In addition to softball, Marissa is captain of the Crusaders field hockey and basketball teams and has played varsity level for all four years in each sport. Her focused dedicated is also evident in the classroom and the Lauralton community as a member of the National Honor Society.

Nicola Matero’s love of basketball and her high-level of play at Lauralton Hall have earned her a position with next year’s Division II Southern New Hampshire University Penmen. She is presently the team’s co-captain and shooting guard with 773 career points before the start of the 2011-12 season. “She is a huge threat on court in the three-point range,” said Athletic Director Nicolle Camara. “We count on her in a game-tight situation to hit a big shot. She always adds to the scoreboard. ”

Nicola is a hard worker on and off the court and is very competitive. Nicola was elected by the state’s coaches as a member of the 2010 and 2011 All-State teams. Her goal this year is to try and lead her Lauralton team to a state championship.



About Lauralton Hall

Lauralton Hall has a long and proud history of excellence in athletics, and is known both locally and statewide for its outstanding athletic program which fields 15 varsity sports in basketball, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The school is a member of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) and the South West Conference (SWC).

Founded in 1905, the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, is the oldest Catholic college preparatory high school for girls in Connecticut. More than 460 students attend from cities and towns throughout New Haven and Fairfield counties. Lauralton Hall’s unique mission is to foster a community atmosphere enriched by the Mercy tradition and to educate young women to pursue knowledge, recognize truth and respond to the needs of others.