INDIANAPOLIS- After winning four straight conference titles, Walsh earned the top position in the 2025 Great Midwest Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll presented by Under Armour. The 2025 season will feature nine institutions with the addition of Northwood.
The Cavaliers earned six first-place votes under head coach Erin Backinoff. The reigning G-MAC Co-Coach of the Year returns back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year in Mallory Miller. Miller earned the honors for the second consecutive year last season after totaling 51 ground balls and causing 42 turnovers on the year. Miller and the Cavaliers led the league in ground balls per game (18.41), caused turnovers per game (10.35), and goals against average (8.04). In addition to Miller, Rachel Black is also one of the top returners for Walsh. Black earned a spot on the first team all-conference list as an attacker. She ranked as one of the league’s top offensive threats with 2.76 goals and 1.71 assists per game.
Walsh received 70 points while preseason runners-up Ashland and Findlay tied with 64 points.
Ashland received two first-place votes under 2024 Co-Head Coach of the Year Lauren Simko. The Eagles return Ashley Drexler, who was voted the league’s top freshman and midfielder last season. Drexler finished her rookie season with 31 goals and 28 assists for 59 points. She went on to total 25 ground balls and 45 draw controls.
Findlay will look to replace Co-Goalkeeper of the Year in Olivia Bakowski, but return the Attacker of the Year in Tessa Chuba. Last season, Chuba scored her 100
th goal as a sophomore. She appeared and started in all 18 games while recording a league-high 64 goals. The Harland, Mich. native finished the year with 18 assists, 44 ground balls, and 120 draw controls.
Thomas More was polled fourth with 47 points followed by Tiffin in fifth with 40 points.
The top six teams from the conference regular season will qualify for the postseason tournament scheduled for April 26
th- May 3
rd.
2025 Great Midwest Women's Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll Presented by Under Armour
| Team |
Points |
| 1.Walsh (6) |
70 |
| T2. Ashland (2) |
64 |
| T2. Findlay (1) |
64 |
| 4. Thomas More |
47 |
| 5. Tiffin |
40 |
| T6. Lake Erie |
36 |
| T6. Lake Erie |
36 |
| 8. Northwood |
29 |
| 9. Ursuline |
19 |