IWLCA Players of the Week – March 12, 2024

he IWLCA has chosen nine student-athletes for the IWLCA Player of the Week awards for the week ending March 10, 2024. This weekly award recognizes the best offensive and defensive performances by players in Division I, II, III, and the NAIA each week during the regular season.

Offensive Player of the Week

Morgan Schwab – University of Virginia

In a historic performance against No. 23 University of Richmond, Schwab set a UVA single-game record by dishing out eight assists, contributing to a dominant 20-5 victory. She followed with another impressive performance against No. 4 Notre Dame, leading Virginia to a hard-fought 12-10 win with a total of six points (two goals, four assists). Notably, Schwab surpassed the Virginia career assist record previously held by Lindsay Sheehan, now tallying an impressive 132 assists. Her second assist in the game against Notre Dame also marked a milestone, breaking a career record that had stood at UVA for 38 years. With 34 assists so far in the season, Schwab currently leads NCAA Division I in this category. In the most recent ILWomen/IWLCA national rankings, the Cavaliers achieved a Top 10 ranking for the first time this season, advancing to the 10th position from their previous spot at 13th.

Defensive Player of the Week

Lauren Spence – Loyola University Maryland

Against Georgetown University, Spence recorded her two best games of the season, making nine saves with an impressive save percentage of .900. She followed this up with another strong showing against Towson University, tallying five saves and maintaining a .714 save percentage. Despite facing a total of 22 shots across both games, Spence remained composed and made crucial saves to bolster her team's defense. She also added seven ground balls to her stat line across the two-game span. Loyola climbed two spots to land at No. 5 in the latest ILWomen/IWLCA National rankings.

Offensive Player of the Week

Emily Mitarotonda – East Stroudsburg University

In a milestone achievement, Mitarotonda became ESU's all-time points leader during the game against Roberts Wesleyan University, reaching her 271st career point. Against RWU, she notched six goals and two assists for eight total points. Her offensive dominance continued against No. 2 Adelphi, where she scored seven goals and added an assist for another eight-point performance. Notably, Mitarotonda also made significant contributions on the defensive end, leading ESU with nine ground balls and an impressive 10 caused turnovers, including seven against Adelphi. She also claimed five draw controls in each game. ESU shifted up to the No. 4 position in the latest ILWomen/IWLCA Division II Poll.

Defensive Player of the Week

Angelina Porcello – Pace University

Against the University of Tampa, Porcello filled the defensive stat sheet, securing three ground balls, six draw controls and caused a pair of turnovers. Against Florida Southern College, she scored eight goals on eight shots while tying the program record with eight caused turnovers, which also is tied for the most in NCAA Division II. She also secured six ground balls and three draw controls to round out her impressive performance. The Setters remain undefeated on the season at 4-0 and continue to hold the No. 1 ranking entering Week 5.

Co-Offensive Player of the Week

Maddie Montgomery – William Smith College

In William Smith’s 14-5 victory over No. 23 SUNY Cortland, Montgomery was responsible for five points, tallying four goals and an assist in the matchup. In midfield play, she matched the program’s single-game record with an impressive 12 draw controls against SUNY Geneseo. The Herons remain unbeaten on the season (4-0) and sit at No. 2 in the latest ILWomen/IWLCA Division III Poll.

Co-Offensive Player of the Week

Hanna Bishop – Washington and Lee University

In the Generals’ upset victory over No. 2 Gettysburg College, Bishop contributed three goals and two assists, totaling five points. The Generals head into Week 4 ranked No. 8 in the latest ILWomen/IWLCA national rankings.

Defensive Player of the Week

Lexi Held – Ithaca College

Held and the No. 25 Bombers improved to 3-0 on the season after defeating No. 23 Cortland, 11-10 in overtime, last Wednesday. Held played a major factor in the win as she made 15 saves, seven in the second half, and added two ground balls. It is her second 15-save outing this season. Ithaca's strong start continues to propel them up the national rankings, now sitting at the No. 22 spot in the latest ILWomen/IWLCA Division III Poll.

Offensive Player of the Week

Shelby O’Neil – Reinhardt University

In the 16-9 victory over No. 9 Benedictine College, O’Neil contributed nine total points, comprising six goals and three assists. Additionally, she secured four ground balls and four caused turnovers. The 5-1 Eagles will take on Life University this Wednesday.

Defensive Player of the Week

Emma Rittman – University of the Cumberlands

Rittman was dominant on the week owning 42 draw controls, 12 ground balls, and six caused turnovers over the Patriots’ three games.  She opened the week with 14 draw controls as Cumberlands took down No. 9 Benedictine and she also added eight points in the win. Against Albion, Rittman scooped eight ground balls and claimed 10 draw controls, while she saved her best performance for last as she notched a program record 18 ground balls in the win over No. 10 Indiana Tech. The sophomore closed out the week with 19 total points.