WLAX Looks to Build On Record-Breaking 2023 Season

Photo by: Marquette University

WLAX Looks to Build On Record-Breaking 2023 Season

2/7/2024 11:15:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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MU brings back combined eight seniors and graduate students, add 11 freshmen

Marquette women's lacrosse looks to build on its record-breaking 2023 season with a solid core of returning veterans and an exciting group of up and comers.

Bringing in 11 first-years, the most since the 2019 class, 12th year head coach Meredith Black and her staff have positive outlooks on the upcoming season.

"We are very excited about this year's team," said Black. "We have a solid group of veterans mixed with underclassmen who will be in positions to make an impact right away."

The Golden Eagles are picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches' poll, and senior midfielder Leigh Steiner was named to the preseason All-BIG EAST team.

Marquette plays four teams ranked in the IWLCA preseason poll, including a road matchup at No. 1 Northwestern on Monday, Feb. 19. No. 12 Michigan comes to Valley Fields on March 24. The Golden Eagles travel to both BIG EAST schools ranked in preseason poll in No. 22 UConn on March 30 and No. 4 Denver on April 6.

ATTACK

The attack corps will look different this season with the departures of all-conference performers Shea Garcia and Mary Schumar. It will be up to sophomore Tess Osburn and junior Meg Bireley to lead the group up front. Osburn and Bireley combined with graduate student Hannah Greving for 98 goals last season, accounting for 38% of the scoring.

"As always, we feel like we have multiple contributors on attack this season," said Black. "We feel like anyone can step up on any given day to score the goals the team needs. With our offense being younger than last year, we still have a lot of skill to develop throughout the season."

Among the eight new first-years joining the attack squad are Riley Schultz and Eileen Dooley. Schultz, a two-time Under Armour All-American, tallied 130 goals and 146 points in 46 career games at Castle View High School in Castle, Rock Colorado. Dooley, a U.S. Lacrosse All-American, had 65 goals and 36 assists her senior season at Loyola Academy in Evanston, Illinois. Dooley is the younger sister of current sophomore Maeve Dooley.

"All of our freshmen have had very good preseasons," said Black. "A lot of them are playing at a high level already and we are excited for them to develop and grow throughout their first season of play."

MIDFIELD

The midfield faces the same dilemma as the attack with the two top scorers gone. Reigning BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, Lydia Foust, and BIG EAST First Teamer, Emma Soccodato, both graduated following last season.

Senior captain and BIG EAST Preseason Team member Leigh Steiner will lead the young midfield group.

"Leigh is an amazing leader and a great player," said Black. "She will help our young midfielders learn fast and make the best of their strengths. Leigh does a great job of bringing out the best in her teammates."

Lauren Grady, from Charlottesville, Virginia, is the reigning region player of the year. Grady comes in with over 100 points and 100 draw controls her junior and senior seasons at Albermarle High School.

Senior Josie Kropp will take over the primary draw duties from Ellie Henry and Mary Blee. Kropp had 49 draws last season as a reserve last season while Marquette was second in the nation in draw controls per game (17.79).

"We have all the confidence in the world in our draw team, led by Josie Kropp," said Black. "Josie is a true student of the game and is someone that gets better at her skill every single day."

DEFENSE

The Golden Eagles will be anchored on defense by captains Audrey Brett and Faith Chmielewski as well as reserve junior Molly Powers.

"Our defense is our most veteran led unit and they bring it every single day," said Black. "They push the standard of excellence on and off the field and make us better. The defensive unit has high expectations for themselves and this team, and they will be working hard to reach and surpass those expectations."

Both Brett and Chmielewski appeared in all 19 games last season and recorded over 20 ground balls each.

Powers totaled 18 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers last season.

The Golden Eagles added two new faces to defense, including Edina, Minnesota native Mary Velner. Velner, as a senior, and earned multiple all-section honors and second team all-state selections both her junior and senior years.

GOALIE

Both junior Brynna Nixon and sophomore Ava Sprinkel are back for the Golden Eagles in net.

Nixon notched 147 saves including a career high 14 saves in the win against then-No. 24 UConn. She started in all 19 contests for the Golden Eagles while Sprinkel saw action in five games, totaling four saves.

"Our goalie unit is dynamic and strong," said Black. "We have three very different goalies who play very different styles. It is fun to coach and all three of them are working hard to develop their games. Brynna is a great leader for the younger two and the teamwork between the three of them will be key to our success in net."

The coaching staff added one new face in goal, freshman Mikayla Yang, who totaled 200 saves in her high school career at Foothill High School in Tustin, California.

SEASON OPENER NATIONAL MARQUETTE DAY WEEKEND

The Marquette women's lacrosse team opens its 2024 campaign against Cincinnati on Sunday, Feb. 11, at Valley Fields.

Tickets for Marquette University women's lacrosse home games at Valley Fields are now on sale and can be purchased online or at the gate on game day.

Keep up with the Marquette women's lacrosse program all season long through social media by following on X (@MarquetteWLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteWLax) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWLax).