On Friday, Feb. 3, yet another student-athlete from Cazenovia High School declared her intention to play NCAA Division I sports.

Jillian Vogl, a member of the two-time state-champion field hockey team and senior member of both indoor and outdoor track squads, signed a letter of intent to attend Monmouth University. She will study business and play for the Hawks on the women’s field hockey team.

“The team and the coach are easy to talk to, really nice, and it’s just a great atmosphere. But I don’t know about starting,” Vogl joked. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work, and there will be girls that were in my position three years ago. So I’ll just be working my way up the totem pole.”

During the team’s first New York State Class C Championship match against Pierson-Bridgehampton in the 2010-11 season, Vogl’s single goal decided the contest and brought the title to Cazenovia for the first time.

In the most recent game against the Greenwich Witches on Nov. 20, Vogl scored the two points for the Lakers that would allow an extra period. The match was won by Emmajean Speer’s overtime goal.

“Winning two state championships back-to-back was incredible,” Vogl said. “It will be exciting to meet new people and be somewhere different, but I’ll definitely miss [Cazenovia].”

Dozens of Vogl’s friends, classmates, teammates and teachers attended the letter-signing, as well as district administrators. Vogl is the fifth senior to declare her athletic college intentions this year, and the third to sign a letter for an NCAA Division I program.

Coach Lorraine Scheftic was happy for Vogl, having coached her to two consecutive state championships. Vogl logged a total of 20 goals and 18 assists during the 2011-12 season, helping the team finish with a record of 21-1 and a state title.

“I’m excited for her. She totally deserves it,” Scheftic said. “She will make an impact at the college level, and I’m just really proud of her. I’m happy for our whole program — it’s a big step.”

As for her thoughts on next year’s squad, Scheftic was optimistic Vogl’s absence will motivate the current roster to step up. “We have a lot of talent throughout the program, and I think we’ll be okay,” she said.

Also in attendance were Vogl’s brother Andrew, a Cazenovia High School sophomore who plays on the varsity football and basketball squads, her mother Laura and father Pat, who is a member of the Cazenovia Board of Education. Her older sister Katie, a CHS alumnus, was unable to attend.

“She worked hard and did all the things she needed to do, as far as playing all over the country at the highest level possible. The exposure worked out well for her and we are very proud,” Pat Vogl said during the signing ceremony.

Come June, Vogl will look to graduate from high school and begin preparing for her freshman year at Monmouth University in West Long Brach, N.J. While she admits to being excited for her college career, Vogl promised to visit regularly and occupy the sideline during big games for future Cazenovia field hockey teams.

Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or [email protected].