FREELAND, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has unveiled their 2022 Preseason Poll for the women's lacrosse season. The Trine University women's lacrosse team has been selected to finish sixth out of eight MIAA institutions.
Trine named Kevin Cooke the new head coach for women's lacrosse in September of 2021 and is entering his first season at the helm of the program. Cooke has 20 years of lacrosse experience and currently sits sixth in All-Time Wins at the NCAA DII level of women's lacrosse.
"We're motivated and bring a lot of energy and that will lead us to being successful," Coach Cooke mentioned. "They are starting to hold each other accountable in workouts and practice, and that makes my job as a coach that much easier when players are holding each other to a high standard. They're really working hard to get better."
Last season, Trine held a record of 5-9, with all 14 games coming against MIAA teams. The Thunder reached the MIAA Quarterfinals in the 2021 season.
Liv Ghent [Byron Center, Mich. / Caledonia] was the team's top scorer and an All-MIAA recipient one year ago with 56 points on 34 goals and 22 assists. Danielle Gargiulo [Downers Grove, Ill. / Downers Grove] was another big contributor for Trine midfield that returns to the 2022 squad. She led the team with 76 draw controls and created 33 turnovers.
Senior Taylor Dudley [Maumee, Ohio / Notre Dame Academy] and junior Josie Prince [St. Charles, Mo. / Francis Howell Central] will hold down the Thunder defense this season after starting a majority of games one year ago. The pair combined for 40 groundballs in 2021.
Freshman attacker Calista Richmond [Portage, Mich. / Portage] has a high lacrosse IQ and will bring energy up front for Trine this season.
Women's lacrosse kicks off the 2022 season on Saturday, February 26 with a road trip to Mount St. Joseph University. The season opener begins at 3 pm.