Northern Michigan University’s Josie Lakosky, right, makes a move toward the net while defended by Lewis’ Jade McKinnon during their college lacrosse game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Feb. 26. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — The women’s lacrosse team at Northern Michigan University completes the nonconference part of its schedule along with its longest road trip of the season with games in Ohio and Indiana this weekend.

The Wildcats (5-2) play at Ashland (3-3), Ohio, at noon today and at nationally ranked Nos. 3 and 5 Indianapolis (5-1) at noon EDT Sunday.

After that, NMU returns home to play its eight-game slate in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, opening in the Superior Dome against Saginaw Valley State at 5 p.m. on the first day of spring next Friday.

Northern is coming off of what was already a tough road trip, playing three games in four days in Colorado, each game at altitudes between about 4,500 and 6,000 feet elevation.

The Wildcats defeated Colorado Mesa 9-7 on March 2, then lost to Colorado-Colorado Springs 11-10 on March 4 and at nationally ranked Regis 14-6 on March 5.

NMU opened the season with four straight wins in February at home, as its 5-0 start under head coach Lindsey (LeMay) Majkrzak was its best ever at the beginning of a season.

“In my seven years of being here, we have always struggled with that first game outside, so that was big for us to succeed that day,” Majkrzak said about the opening win in Colorado vs. Colorado Mesa. “Thinking back to when I first got here, we lost to Colorado Mesa (pretty badly), so that was a nice full circle moment for me.

“By the end of the third game (in Colorado), we were physically incapable of running anymore, and we’re a very fit team. It was very telling that some of the outside factors, (such as) playing at elevation and game changes, pile up.”

Fans can visit the Northern athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the women’s lacrosse schedule for links to live video, live statistics and a preview.

Today’s opponent, Ashland, is a program Majkrzak is quite familiar with as the Eagles were members of the GLIAC in their first few seasons as a program, with NMU winning 19-5 and 25-13 in 2021, before Ashland moved to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

The Eagles are coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the GMAC tournament title a year ago and finishing with a 14-6 overall record and a perfect 8-0 conference record.

“Their coach, Lauren Simko, took over a handful of years ago, and watching her change this program and turn them into the dominant force that they are has been really cool to watch,” Majkrzak said. “They play very differently from teams in the GLIAC, and that has been good to lock everybody in and remind them that these are our last two in-region games and will set us up for what we need to do in conference.”

Indianapolis has already defeated national No. 1 Tampa 10-6, while its only loss was 9-8 to No. 4 Florida Southern. The Greyhounds also have a 16-12 win over No. 21 Grand Valley State, the GLIAC’s perennial powerhouse.

Indy holds an 18-3 advantage in games all time vs. Northern, including an 18-3 win in a neutral-site game played in Allendale last year.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release previewing the games. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.