IWLCA Players of the Week – March 11, 2025

The IWLCA has chosen eight student-athletes for the IWLCA Player of the Week awards for the week ending March 9, 2025. 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

Jami MacDonald – Princeton University

MacDonald delivered a stellar performance, totaling 16 points in two dominant victories for the Tigers. On Saturday, she played a pivotal role in Princeton’s 20-6 win over No. 22 Harvard, recording 10 points and contributing to 50% of her team's goals. She tied the school record for points in a game and tallied the most by a Tiger since 1989 with her five-goal, five-assist afternoon. She was also named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week.

Defensive Player of the Week

Coco Vandiver – Syracuse University

Vandiver matched her career high with six caused turnovers and set a new personal best with four ground balls in Syracuse's game against No. 7 Stanford. She recorded both a caused turnover and a ground ball during the first overtime period. After Stanford won the draw to begin the second overtime, Vandiver scooped up a crucial ground ball that regained possession for Syracuse, leading to the game-winning goal and securing the team's second top-10 victory of the season. Her six caused turnovers now tie for second on Syracuse’s single-game record list.

Offensive Player of the Week

Maeve Johnson – Bentley University

Johnson recorded eight goals and two assists for 10 points in Bentley's 14-13 victory over No. 23 Mercy on Saturday, just one shy of her career highs for goals and points in a single game.

Defensive Player of the Week

Lily Ventresca – Slippery Rock University

Lily Ventresca led Slippery Rock to a perfect 2-0 week, securing a pair of road victories over nationally ranked opponents. She made eight saves and allowed just six goals in a dominant 12-6 win at No. 9 East Stroudsburg, stifling an offense that had been averaging 17.6 goals per game in its previous three matchups. Ventresca then followed up with another strong performance, recording seven saves and allowing nine goals in a thrilling 10-9 overtime win at No. 22 Limestone. She currently ranks No. 1 in Division II in goals-against average and ninth in save percentage.

Offensive Player of the Week

Meghan Smith – University of Hartford

Smith had a standout week, contributing 14 points, five ground balls, and 14 draw controls across two victories for the Hawks. On Wednesday, she registered three goals and two assists in a win over FDU-Florham. Smith then followed up with a stellar performance, recording seven goals and two assists in an 18-16 victory over Smith College. Smith has also been named the Conference of New England Offensive Player of the Week for back-to-back weeks.

Defensive Player of the Week

Gina Marotta – Stockton University

New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Defensive Player of the Week, Marotta set career-highs with eight draw controls and six ground balls, while tying her career best with four caused turnovers against Farmingdale State. She helped the Osprey defense limit Farmingdale to just 16 total shots and held the Rams to just 15-of-29 on clear attempts. Marotta currently ranks second among all NJAC players in ground balls per game (4.00) and is fifth in caused turnovers per game (2.00).

Offensive Player of the Week

Ellen Benintendi – SCAD Savannah

Benintendi continues to be an offensive force for the Bees. The freshman totaled 12 goals and three assists as SCAD went 3-0 with wins over NCAA DIII opponent Grove City College, No. 2 University of the Cumberlands, and NCAA DII Lincoln Memorial University in overtime.

Defensive Player of the Week

Chloe Zundel – SCAD Savannah

Zundel had a big week for the Bees. In SCAD’s 3-0 week, Zundel faced 61 shots and made 31 saves for a 50.8% save percentage. The junior goalie also added nine ground balls to her week’s stat line as well.