ALLENDALE, MICH.  – The wait is almost over for the GVSU women's lacrosse team, as they get ready to begin their season Sunday afternoon against Indiana (Pa.). The Lakers and Crimson Hawks will square off on the campus of Robert Morris at 1:00.
 
2024 was another good year for GVSU, as they went 17-2, winning the GLIAC regular season and tournament titles, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. The Lakers are under the direction of new head coach Dominique Hamman, who takes the reins in Allendale after a two-year stint at Daemen. GVSU returns a strong nucleus of players, especially on the defensive side that led the country with a 4.94 GAA last season.
 
All-American goalkeeper Kaylyn Cater will be back in the cage after posting 83 saves on a .512 save percentage. Also on the defensive side are All-GLIAC performers Kylie Waeghe and Elora Ferrie, as well as fellow starter Lauren Volk. In the midfield, All-Region selection Ashleigh Rothe returns, along with Zoe Ziegler, Ella Boose, and Ainsley Shilling. Those three will join All-GLIAC selection Delaney Smith and Jillian Bingman on the offensive side of the field as well. Smith is the Lakers leading returning point scorer, notching 46 points on 22 goals and 24 assists. The team returns seven of their top 10 scorers from a season ago, five of who totaled over 20 points last year. The Lakers were ranked 10^th by the IWLCA in the organization's preseason poll, their third straight year starting the year in the top 10.
 
IUP is coming off a 7-10 2024 campaign, going .500 in PSAC play. They return three all league players, attacker Kathryn Burke (61 pts), midfielder Emma Mass (24 goals), and defender Rachel Knight (25 CT). Additionally, the Crimson Hawks have their top two goalkeepers back in the cage this spring, Maddy Schramm and Mia Courtalis. The duo combined for 130 saves and a .396 save percentage. IUP was selected to finish fourth in the PSAC West this season under seventh year head coach Brenna Gallagher Roan. This will be the fourth all-time meeting between GVSU and IUP, with the Lakers leading the series at a perfect 3-0.
 
How to Follow
Sunday's game will be available to follow along with via live stats. Or you can follow along on social media at @gvsuwlax.