Amherst College Athletics

• "I made VWC my top choice because I loved the area, the school, and the people I met when I came to visit. I was looking for a school with small class sizes and a fun atmosphere and I found everything I was looking for in Virginia Wesleyan, and of course for field hockey."
• Selected VWC over University of California, Davis, Oberlin College, University of the Pacific, and University of California, Santa Barbara

VWC Career Statistics

Season Highlights

2011

• Scored a season-high two goals in a 7-0 victory over Indiana's Trine University
• Highest scoriring rookie for VWC in 2011 with four goals and two assists
• Named to the Virginia Sports Information Directors Academic All-Virginia team

2012

• Scored solo goals against Misericordia and Sweet Briar

2013

• Recorded a defensive save in a 1-0 loss to Christopher Newport University and in a 5-2 loss to Eastern Mennonite University in conference tournament play

Collegiate Accomplishments

• Batten Scholar
• Five-time Dean's List Honoree
• Posted a 4.00 GPA in Fall 2011, Winter 2013 and Fall 13
• Owns a current 3.906 GPA
• Minoring in Chemistry

Prep Accolades

• Competed in field hockey, track & field, and tennis
• 2011 Field Hockey Federation Female Athlete of the Year
• 2011 National Futures Tournament participant
• Captain of Camarillo Cougars Field Hockey Team 2009-2011
• 2008 Moorpark MVP in shot put and discus

Personal

• Daughter of Merrilee and Daniel Puccio; parents attended University of Southern California
• Enjoys country music and the TV show "Say Yes to the Dress" 
• A fan of tennis player Maria Sharapova and actress Rachel McAdams
• Favorites include the book, "Water for Elephants" and the movie, "A Walk to Remember"
• Self-description in 10 words or less: "I'm busy, organized, hardworking, fun-loving, and happy."
• My favorite aspect of being an athlete is: "the teamwork and the feeling of being able to contribute to a team."
• The part of my game I've improved the most is: "being able to greatly improve my skillwork and shooting techniques."
• My personal athletic goal at VWC is: "to be able to contribue to the field hockey team and eventually win some titles in the next few years! I also plan on helping the track team by improving my distances in shot put and discus."
• If I could spend a day with one famous person it would be: "Rosalind Franklin because she was one of the first scientists to nearly discover the form of DNA."
• If I could participate in a reality show it would be: "Wipeout! I actually tried out for the show and I made it past the first round but didn't get a call back. It just seems like a lot of fun."
• If I could possess one superpower it would be: "flying. It seems amazing to not be tied down by roads or waterways; you could go anywhere you want."
• People might be surprised to know: "I am a closet book worm! I just got an Amazon Kindle and I read it whenever I get the chance!"
• It's the year 2025 and: "I will hopefully have a job at Amgen or some other biological company and I'll either be doing research or creating medicine or something similar to that."
• The most important advice I've received is: "Most people's opinions don't really matter." --Dad