Women’s Lacrosse Kicks Off in Arkansas
- — The Illinois Tech women's lacrosse team kicked off their 2025 season this past weekend with a pair of challenging road matches in Conway, Arkansas.
- The Scarlet Hawks faced the Hendrix College Warriors on Friday evening, where they suffered a 16-3 loss in the season-opening match.
- Despite the losses, several standout players emerged for the Scarlet Hawks.
Illinois Tech Women’s Lacrosse Opens 2025 Season with Tough Road Matches
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Conway, Ark. — The Illinois Tech women’s lacrosse team kicked off their 2025 season this past weekend with a pair of challenging road matches in Conway, Arkansas. These games, hosted by Hendrix College, provided a rigorous early-season test for the Scarlet Hawks.
The Scarlet Hawks faced the Hendrix College Warriors on Friday evening, where they suffered a 16-3 loss in the season-opening match. The following day, on Saturday morning, they were outmatched by the Southwestern University Pirates, losing 20-2.
Standout Performances
Despite the losses, several standout players emerged for the Scarlet Hawks. Junior Antonia Martinez picked up where she left off after a commendable 2024 season. Martinez scored 4 goals over the two days of play, leading the team in scoring. She fired off an impressive 19 shots, with 12 on target, achieving a .632 shots-on-goal percentage. This performance was highlighted by her strategic play, as she “collected 2 ground balls, caused 1 turnover and had 12 draw controls to lead the team.”
Sophomore Isabelle Niebler also made a significant impact, scoring her second career goal in the game against SWU. She further demonstrated her versatility by moving from defense to the front line. Niebler had 3 shots, with 2 on goal, and a .667 shots-on-goal percentage. Her scoring and defensive abilities were crucial in his SWU game as she “led the team with 7 ground balls and 7 caused turnovers while also winning 4 draw controls.”
Defensive Standouts
Graduate student goalkeeper Mercy Godfrey made 22 saves over the two games, showcasing her reliability in the goal. Her performance was pivotal in limiting the opposing teams’ scoring chances. Godfrey’s experience and composure under pressure were essential in maintaining the team’s competitive spirit despite the challenging matches.
The Scarlet Hawks also saw several players making their first collegiate lacrosse appearances: freshmen Victoria Akirtava and Aislinn McManus Difference; sophomores Aisha Leatherwood, Yuliana Sanchez, and Ellie Post; and graduate student Julianna Moore. These newcomers contributed valuable experience and energized the team.
Goaltender Graceful Mercy Godfrey made an aaugust 22 saves in total over the weekend.
Looking Ahead
The Scarlet Hawks will take to Stuart Field for the first time in 2025 as they prepare to face off against Illinois Wesleyan University Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 5:00 PMon their home opener.
Next Game:
Illinois Wesleyan University
February 26, 2025 | 5:00 PM
Illinois Tech Women’s Lacrosse 2025 Season: Key Insights and FAQs
Overview of the 2025 Season Opening
Q: How did the Illinois Tech women’s lacrosse team start their 2025 season?
A: The Illinois Tech women’s lacrosse team, known as the Scarlet Hawks, faced a challenging start to their 2025 season with two road matches in Conway, Arkansas. Despite a rigorous early-season test, the team faced losses against Hendrix College and Southwestern University, scoring 3-16 and 2-20, respectively.
Standout Performances
Q: Who were the standout players for the Scarlet Hawks in the season opener?
- Antonia Martinez: A junior, Martinez excelled by scoring 4 goals across both games, taking 19 shots with 12 on target, achieving a .632 shots-on-goal percentage. She also contributed defensively with 2 ground balls, 1 turnover, and led the team with 12 draw controls.
- Isabelle Niebler: A sophomore who demonstrated versatility by transitioning from defense to the front line.She scored her second career goal against Southwestern University, with 3 shots, 2 on goal, and a.667 shots-on-goal percentage. Additionally, she led the team with 7 ground balls, 7 caused turnovers, and 4 draw controls.
Q: Who shone defensively for Illinois Tech in the early season matches?
A: Graduate student goalkeeper Mercy Godfrey showcased her skills by making 22 saves across the two games. Her performance was crucial in maintaining competitiveness and limiting the opponents’ scoring chances, emphasizing her experience and composure under pressure.
Emerging Talent
Q: Which new players made their collegiate debut for the Scarlet hawks?
A: The games saw the debut of several promising players:
- Freshmen: Victoria Akirtava and Aislinn McManus Difference
- Sophomores: Aisha Leatherwood, Yuliana Sanchez, Ellie Post
- Graduate Student: Julianna Moore
These newcomers brought fresh perspectives and energy, contributing to the team’s dynamics and overall spirit.
Looking ahead
Q: What is the next step for the Scarlet Hawks following their road matches?
A: The team will host their home opener at Stuart Field on February 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM, against Illinois Wesleyan University. This game offers an opportunity for the Scarlet Hawks to rebound and showcase their skills on home ground.
Q: How can fans stay informed about the team’s performance and upcoming matches?
A: fans can get updates on the team’s roster, schedule, and performance through the illinois Tech athletic department’s communications.
This extensive Q&A provides insights into the early season performance of the Illinois Tech women’s lacrosse team, highlights key players, and looks ahead to future games, ensuring that content remains relevant and engaging for readers interested in collegiate lacrosse.