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Mount Saint Mary Seniors Participate in National Signing Day Ceremonies

Mount Saint Mary Academy seniors joined student-athletes from throughout the country Wednesday as they signed their national letters of intent.  Soccer standouts Andrea Fontanetta of Neshanic Station and Rhea Barghash of Bridgewater formally signed their letters in a special ceremony on the Mount campus.  Fontanetta will attend the University of Georgia and Barghash will attend Villanova University.  The soccer signings were followed by a ceremony on Friday in which senior field hockey standout Katie Murray of Millington signed her letter of intent for the University of Vermont.   
 “I am thrilled about signing with University of Georgia and about my future with soccer and beyond,” said Fontanetta.  “I feel the Mount has done a great job preparing me, and I can’t wait to show Georgia what a Mountie can do.”
As a forward on the Mount team, Fontanetta was named Skyland Conference/Raritan Conference Division first team for three seasons. 
"Andie has a fantastic blend of talent, pace and aggression and the confidence to want the ball when the game is on the line," said University of Georgia women’s soccer coach Steve Holeman in a press release from the university.  “She’s the type of forward that defenders hate to play against because she’s just relentless.”
Barghash is the tenth ranked female soccer player in the New Jersey Region and was named first-team all non-public her senior season.
I’m really excited to be heading to Villanova next year,” she said.  “I couldn’t have made my decision without the support from my family, friends and coaches and I look forward to my four years with the soccer program."
Both Fontanetta and Barghash were members of the Player Development Academy, the number one club team in 2009-2010.  They helped Mount Saint Mary win two conference championships in their four years on the team.
Murray, the Mount’s field hockey team captain, was named first-team all county and first-team all division this season in addition to serving as a member of the Senior County All Star team.  She was selected by Group 1 coaches as the top defender in Somerset County.
“It has always been a dream of mine to attend the University of Vermont,” said Murray.  “Being able to play for them is amazing.  I am so excited to part of the UVM community this fall.” 
“Katie was one of our top goal scorers this season,” said Mount field hockey coach Katie Gillen.  “She is an extremely hardworking and talented athlete who has been a key asset to our team for the past four seasons.”
Mount Saint Mary Academy is a Catholic, independent school which provides an exemplary college preparatory education for young women in grades 9 through 12.  Founded in 1908 as a sponsored work of the Sisters of Mercy, the Mount remains committed to challenging each student to develop her fullest potential in a Christian atmosphere of love and caring.