Women's lacrosse picked to finish third in SCIAC

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's lacrosse team begins its 2020 season Wednesday at 7 p.m. with a home game against Pomona-Pitzer. The Panthers were picked to finish third in a poll of the SCIAC coaches, one spot ahead of where they ended last season.

With Cal Lutheran adding a women's lacrosse program, 2020 will be the first season that the winner of the SCIAC will receive an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament.

Chapman returns four of their top six scorers from a year ago, including sophomore Meg Hanson, who recorded a team-best 46 points last season on her way to a second-team all SCIAC honor. During her freshman season, Hanson also led the Panthers with 16 assists. Her 30 goals were tied for second on the team with Alexandra Callaway, who will look to continue to make a huge impact in her senior season.

Attacker Leah Donnelly returns for her senior season after scoring 28 goals and recording 10 assists as a junior. Rounding out the starting front line will be newcomer Aisling Roberts, who will make her Chapman debut as a sophomore.

The defensive line is an experienced unit of all upperclassmen, which will be led by senior, and first-team all-conference defender, Ally Kroeckel. Kroeckel picked up 31 ground balls a year ago, including 19 in conference play. She also caused six turnovers in SCIAC matchups. She will be joined by senior Haley Reinhard, junior Elizabeth Chadwick, and junior Skyler Johnson.

Senior Michaela Lopez will lead the midfield, after recording five goals and five assists last season. She is the only member of the midfield with starting experience, as she will be joined in the starting lineup by junior Alex Jones and freshman Elise Mayer. Jones saw all her action last season coming off the bench.

Sophomore Jamie Wendt will start the year in goal, while junior Taylor Hextrum finishes out the women's basketball season.

The Panthers will play three home SCIAC games in the month of February. Their first will be tomorrow at 7 p.m. against Pomona-Pitzer. The Sagehens are already 1-0 after defeating Redlands 21-7. They were picked to finish second in the SCIAC, one spot ahead of Chapman.

By Phil Wood
Sports Information Assistant

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