Coach Lemay

MARQUETTE — The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced the women’s lacrosse awards, with the Wildcats garnering three major awards and a program-record eight student-athletes landing on the All-GLIAC teams.

Head coach Lindsey (LeMay) Majkrzak took home the Coach of the Year, Lauryn Rygiel earned Defender of the Year, and Hannah Melander secured Freshman of the Year honors. In total, three Wildcats landed on the All-GLIAC First Team, three more on the All-GLIAC Second Team, and two more received Honorable Mention.

Defender of the Year and First Team — Lauryn Rygiel

Senior defender Lauryn Rygiel started in all 16 games for the Wildcats and played a critical part in the NMU defense core.

Across conference matchups in the regular season, Lauryn led the GLIAC in caused turnovers with 10, her 10 ground balls are second among field players and sixth overall, and her 12 draw controls are seventh. Across all competitions, her 51 draw controls are good for fifth, and her 13 caused turnovers are sixth.

Freshman of the Year and Honorable Mention — Hannah Melander

Freshman goalkeeper Hannah Melander started all 16 games for the Wildcats, posting overall stats of 11.82 GAA and a .430 SV% with 130 saves. Across GLIAC goalkeepers, Hannah was one of two goalies to start 16 games for their respective clubs during the regular season across all matchups. In that span, her seven wins was a GLIAC best and her 58.3% win percentage was second, she was second in total minutes played with 873:06, and her 11.82 GAA was second overall (first among goalies who played in 14 or more games). Her 130 saves were good for third, as well as her .430 SV% ranking third overall.

Coach of the Year — Lindsey (LeMay) Majkrzak

In the 2023 regular season, the ‘Cats went 10-6, breaking the record for most wins in program history that Lindsey and her club set the year prior (9 wins), along with setting single-season records for total assists (74) and fewest turnovers at 205 (minimum 14 games played, 2020 season cut short due to COVID-19).

First Team — Minnie Bittell

Playing in all 16 matches for the Wildcats, Minnie had another strong season, leading the Green and Gold in scoring for a third straight season. During the regular season, her 45 goals, 14 assists, and 59 points were all good for third in the GLIAC. Minnie led the GLIAC in FPG (16), shots (96), second in SOG (74), and fourth in draw controls (73).

First Team — Kaitlyn Bridger

Playing in all 16 games this season, Kaitlyn had a strong season for the Wildcats, as she was second on the team in goals (37), assists (11), and points (48). Across the GLIAC, her 48 points is fifth, her 37 goals are sixth, and her 11 assists is eighth.

Second Team — Katelyn Mongold

The senior midfielder who played in 12 games for the Wildcats, Katelyn was fourth on the Wildcats in points (33) and goals (26), along with fifth in assists (7). Her point and goal totals are good enough for 10th across the GLIAC landscape.

Second Team — Maddi Bast

After playing in all 16 games, Maddi finished second on the team in FPG (12), and third on the Wildcats in goals (33), points (37), and draw controls (36). Across the GLIAC, Maddi’s 12 FPG are third, both her goal total and draw control totals are eighth, and her point totals are ninth.

Second Team — Heather Beebe

Heather started all 16 games for the Wildcats, and was third on the team in caused turnovers with 10. The senior defender added on eight ground balls and three draw controls.

Honorable Mention — Dayna Carlson

A sophomore midfielder, Dayna recorded 12 goals and seven assists for 19 points. She recorded a team third-best 18 ground balls along with four caused turnovers.