HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has unveiled the 2024 preseason coaches poll ahead of the women's lacrosse season. The Trine University women's lacrosse team was selected to place fourth out of eight teams in the conference.
The Thunder received 29 points overall. Hope College was the unanimous choice by opposing coaches to win the MIAA with 49 points and seven first-place votes. Alma College was second at 36 points, followed by Calvin University with 35 points. Kalamazoo College secured the final available first-place vote in sixth.
Trine, under third year head coach Kevin Cooke, held a 5-7 record last season but struggled in MIAA action at 2-5. The Thunder were exceptional at home with a 4-2 mark one season ago.
In 2023, Calista Richmond and Maddy Kasten were named All-MIAA and both return to the squad this year. Richmond, a junior attack from Portage, Michigan, holds the career record for most assists at Trine and is looking to secure the career points record with another stellar season in 2024. Richmond was a First Team All-MIAA honoree one season ago. Kasten, a junior goalkeeper from Battle Creek, Michigan, currently has the school record for goals against average at 11.14 per game. She was named to the Second Team All-MIAA.
The team's leading goal scorer in Danielle Gargiulo is back for her senior campaign. The Downers Grove, Illinois native found the back of the net 30 times in 2023, a team-high 13 coming on free position attempts. Gargiulo, as well as junior Brooke Hoag, secured 50 or more draw controls each last year. Joining Gargiulo in the senior class this season are Nikki Hibler, Alyssa Keptner and Emily McKinley.
The season kicks off for the Thunder on Saturday, February 24 with a noon start versus Bethel University at home.