BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University women's lacrosse team opens the season this weekend, looking to improve and elevate in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Under the direction of seventh-year Head Coach Nicholle Shoger, the team returns 14 letterwinners, four Academic All-OAC selections and two All-OAC performers from last year's squad that posted an overall record of 3-13 and a 1-6 mark in the OAC.
BW is thrilled to welcome back senior All-OAC midfielder Deanna Loukas (Tuckahoe, N.Y. / Eastchester) as she totaled a team-best 40 goals last season, appearing in and starting all 16 games. Loukas also led the team in caused turnovers, totaling 30, and added 55 draw controls, 43 ground balls (team and career-best in both statistics), and 10 assists (career-best).
In the midfield, BW returns junior midfielder Rennick Mellon (Akron / Archbishop Hoban), who was third on the team in draw controls (25) and scored five goals. Mellon also posted seven ground balls, four caused turnovers, an assist, and appeared in 14 games for the Yellow Jackets.
The Yellow Jackets also return sophomore attack Carley House (Hilliard / Darby). House finished last season with 22 points (15 goals), 11 ground balls, and 17 turnovers.
Junior attack Lily Tope (Delaware / Hayes) and senior attack Sophia Leuma (Bloomington, Minn. / Thomas Jefferson) are also expected to strengthen the front line for BW. Tope recorded 24 points (16 goals) and 19 ground balls last season, while Leuma scored 25 points (18 goals) and 18 ground balls.
Returning letterwinners on the offensive end include sophomore attack Mariana Melgoza (Avon Lake), junior midfielder Taylor Miklos (Brunswick), and junior attack Lauren Getchey (Perrysburg).
On the defensive end, other letterwinners are junior Academic All-OAC defender Carly Kern (Gibsonia, Pa. / Mars Area), sophomore defender Morgan Massey (Hamburg, N.Y. / Frontier), junior All-OAC defender Lauren Comack (Cranberry Township, Pa. / Seneca Valley), senior defender Maddie Macron (Medina), and senior defender Neveah Tshiwala (Stow / Stow-Munroe Falls).
In goal, the Yellow Jackets return sophomore Caroline Potteiger (Grand Rapids, Mich. / East Grand Rapids).
Click Here to view the entire 2024 women's lacrosse roster.
The Yellow Jackets open the 2024 season at home as they host a non-conference matchup against Centre (Ky.) College on Saturday, Feb. 17. The game is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. on the Tressel Field inside the George Finnie Stadium.
