WLAX Lands Four on Preseason All-BIG EAST Team

NEW YORK – The Marquette University women's lacrosse team landed four players on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team, the conference office announced Wednesday. Both senior attacker Tessa Osburn and graduate student midfielder Hanna Bodner were unanimous selections, joined by sophomore midfielder Lauren Grady and junior defender Mary Velner.

Bodner, the reigning BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, returns for a final season with the Golden Eagles. Bodner was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection last season, and also earned a spot on the IWLCA All-West/Midwest Region First Team.

Osburn, a two-time Second Team ALL-BIG EAST selection, begins her senior campaign after posting a 45 goals, 19 assists and 64 points in 2025. Last season, Osburn became the ninth player in program history to score 100 goals in her career and sits at seventh on the all-time goals list (111).

Grady and Velner also earned their spots on the Preseason All BIG-EAST team after both earning All BIG-EAST Second Team selections a season ago. Grady aided in the offensive pressure, completing a 17 goal, 14 assist, 31 point season, and Velner delivered on the defensive end, causing 19 turnovers in her sophomore season.

The Golden Eagles look to defend home turf, opening the season with Eastern Michigan in the Valley on Friday, Feb. 6. Action begins at 12 P.M. CT.

BIG EAST Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll and Awards

First-place votes in ( )
1. Denver (6)                 36 pts.
2. Villanova                   28
3. UConn (1)                 26
4. Georgetown             24
5. Marquette                 16
6. Butler                          11
7. Xavier                         6

BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^

BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team *
Abby Beran, D, Jr., UConn^
Rayea Davis, A, R-Sr., UConn^
Alex Dorr, DS, R-So., Denver^
Lexi Gwaku, GK, So. Denver
Megan Klingenberg, Sr., D- Denver^
Olivia Ripple, A, Jr., Denver^
Gracie Driggs, A, Sr., Georgetown^
Sophia Loschert, A, So., Georgetown
Kendall Steer, D, Sr., Georgetown
Hanna Bodner, M, Gr., Marquette^
Lauren Grady, M, Jr., Marquette
Tess Osburn, A, Sr., Marquette^
Mary Velner, D, Jr., Marquette
Rose Christie, M, Jr., Villanova^
Leslie Iorio, M, So., Villanova
Elena Torres, A, R-Jr., Villanova^
Emma Verhoest, DS, Jr., Villanova^
^denotes unanimous selection
*due to a tie, 17 players are on the All-BIG EAST Team