INDIANAPOLIS—After winning three straight conference titles, Walsh earned the top position in the 2024 Great Midwest Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll presented by Under Armor. The 2024 season will feature eight institutions with the addition of Malone and Thomas More.
The Cavaliers earned seven first-place votes under second year head coach Erin Backinoff. The reigning G-MAC Coach of the Year returns one of the league’s top defenders in Mallory Miller. Miller was voted the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year after causing 1.50 turnovers per game and picking up 40 ground balls on the year. In addition to Miller, Walsh returns first-team defender Sarah Shepard. Miller and Shepard led the Cavaliers to be the top defensive team in the conference, leading the league in ground balls (339) and caused turnovers (145). Two of the league’s top goalkeepers also return for the Cavaliers. Rebekah Bargeron and Kathleen Mendenhall ranked as the G-MAC’s held the league’s best goals against average and save percentage. Bargeron held the top spot with a .595 save percentage and a GAA of 4.74. Mendenhall, another first-team selection, appeared in all 17 games for Walsh and registered a GAA of 8.82 and averaged 6.06 saves per game. Other top returners include all-conference members Rachel Black and Isabella Kelty.
Walsh received 57 points while preseason runners-up Ashland and Findlay tied for 47 points.
Findlay received one first-place vote under first-year head coach Amy Long. The Oilers will look to replace Goalkeeper of the Year Rachel Bornstein and Offensive Player of the Year Danielle Dilorenzo, but return Freshman of the Year Tessa Chuba. Chuba started in 17 games during her freshman campaign, scoring 36 goals and recorded 38 draw controls on the year.
The Eagles return fifth-year attack Cassady Becker, who was a first-team honoree during the 2023 season. Becker started in all 16 games and recorded a team-high 42 goals and added eight assists for a total of 50 points.
Tiffin was polled fourth with 38 points followed by newcomer Thomas More with 32.
The top six teams from the conference regular season will qualify for the postseason tournament, scheduled for April 27- May 4.
2024 Great Midwest Women's Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll Presented by Under Armour
| School |
Points |
| 1. Walsh (7) |
57 |
| t2. Findlay (1) |
47 |
| t2. Ashland (1) |
47 |
| 4. Tiffin |
38 |
| 5. Thomas More |
32 |
| 6. Lake Erie |
31 |
| 7. Malone |
19 |
| 8. Ursuline |
17 |