Dover, Del. (May 10, 2012) --- Two of Delaware's top high school players have signed the National Letter of Intent to attend Delaware State University and compete for the Hornets' new women's lacrosse team when it begins NCAA Division I competition next year.

Defender Franchesca Delrosario of Laurel, a senior at Sussex Tech High School, and senior midfielder Miranda Hawkins of Caesar Rodney High School have accepted scholarship offers from DSU, according to Hornets' head lacrosse coach Jillian Lontz.

Delrosario, a 2012 Delaware High School All-Star and team captain, has helped lead Sussex Tech to a 9-3 record this season.

Delrosario (seated above; second from left) is expected to major in Movement Science at Delaware State.

"Frannie has made great strides in her lacrosse career and will continue to do so as a Hornet," said Lontz. "I look forward to adding her strong presence and speed to our defense."

Hawkins, also a 2012 Delaware All-Star and team captain, has helped lead Caesar Rodney to a 9-4 record this season. She has earned four varsity letters for the Riders.

"I am very excited to have Miranda on board at Delaware State," Lontz said. "She has been a standout at Caesar Rodney throughout her playing career and keeping her talent local will tremendously aid our program."

Hawkins will enroll in the Elementary Education program at DSU.

Lontz added, "The addition of Frannie and Miranda shows our commitment to attracting local talent and will aid in the recognition of the quality lacrosse in the state of Delaware."

Last week, DSU announced that two members of national junior college powerhouse Monroe Community College (N.Y.) were the first players to sign with its new women's lacrosse team.

Midfielders Emily Peets (Pittsfield, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland HS) and Kelly Reilly (Corning, N.Y./Corning HS) have led Monroe CC to a combined record of 32-3 the last two seasons, highlighted by the 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association Championship, the team's second straight national title.

Lontz says she expects to announce other additions to the team throughout the current signing period, which runs till August; and during a signing period in November. In addition, she has invited more than a dozen DSU students to try out for the team during the fall exhibition season.

The new Delaware State University lacrosse team will begin its inaugural season in February 2013.