LIVONIA, Mich. – The Madonna University Women's Lacrosse team looks ahead to the 2024 campaign with all but four returners suiting up for the first contest on Saturday, February 3 against Calvin University (Mich.) at Detroit Country Day Fieldhouse.  

"I am happy about where we are at as a program" Head Coach Dan Teskey stated. "I think we have made a lot of progress in the last couple weeks of practice."

This year, the Crusaders will be without Aria Gettel who finished her career as the program's career leader in the following statistics, points, goals, shots on goal, ground balls, caused turnovers, draw control wins. Teskey stated that this year, the Crusaders will have to share the ball more than we have in the past, put less focus on one-on-one dodging, and try to get as many assists as possible. 

The Crusaders return four of out their top six goal scorers from last season in senior Mia Dyson, senior Jasmine Stringham, junior Sydney Pattinson, and junior Katie Potter who totaled 55 goals in the 2023 season. 

Between the posts, junior Hannah Dickson returns who started all 14 games in 2023 and recorded the second most saves in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) with 133 saves.  

Madonna was picked eighth in the WHAC preseason poll with 25 points, the WHAC is one of the strongest conferences in the country as the top four teams in the conference are ranked in the inaugural Preseason NAIA Top 10 poll this semester. With the defending National Champions Lawrence Technological University (Mich.) Blue Devils being ranked No. 1, Marian University (Ind.) Knights ranked No. 9,  Aquinas College (Mich.) Saints ranked No. 10 and the Indiana Tech Warriors are receiving votes. 

"This year will be a lot different from last year", junior Zoe Zdunczyk was quoted saying. "Our goal is to make the conference tournament, and this year we believe our conference match-ups will be more competitive and have the opportunity to upset some of the better teams in the WHAC." 

The Crusaders will open WHAC play on Sunday, February 18 when they take on No. 10 Aquinas at home. The final two home games for Madonna will feature ranked contests against No. 1 Lawrence Tech and receiving votes Indiana Tech.


UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will have their season opener this Saturday, February 3 against Calvin University starting at 8:00 p.m. at  Detroit Country Day Fieldhouse.  



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