Season Preview: Women's Lacrosse looks to continue upward trajectory in 2021
By Tim Glon
ADA — The Ohio Northern women's lacrosse team has shown steady improvement over the past three seasons.
The Polar Bears posted their first winning campaign in the program's five-year existence with a 3-2 mark in 2020 after winning six games in 2018 and seven in 2019.
ONU had high expectations last year and it was unfortunate that the team was not able to see how the season played out.
"Our young players were starting to grow and we were having success against a challenging non-conference schedule," sixth-year ONU head coach Beth Hemminger said. "We return a strong core of upperclassmen and brought in a talented freshman class this year. We are beginning to build depth in the program and hopefully that will benefit us this season."
Hemminger welcomes back nine starters and 12 letterwinners from last year's squad, led by seniors Kayla Grace (Marysville), Megan O'Grodnik (Webster, N.Y./Schroeder) and Ann McArn (Bay Village/Western Reserve Academy).
The trio have combined for nine letters and 72 starts in their careers.
Here is a preview of the 2021 Ohio Northern women's lacrosse team, by position:
Defense
Five letterwinners return on defense, led by O'Grodnik and junior Kate Naugle (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area).
O'Grodnik is a three-year starter and Naugle is an Academic All-OAC honoree with 17 career starts.
Sophomores Emmily Moses (Ashland/Wooster) and Lacey Wernoch (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) started as freshmen a year ago.
Sophomore Sydney Vanderbilt (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) came off the bench her rookie campaign and provided quality depth.
"We have five strong letterwinners back but are still young. We will continue to improve as we gain experience."
Midfield
All four starters return in the midfield, led by McArn and Grace.
McArn has started every game she has been healthy in her four seasons at ONU and is a fifth-year senior in 2021.
She is ONU's all-time career leader in draw controls with 115 and ranks seventh with 44 career goals and 49 points.
Grace has started 13 games in her first three seasons at Ohio Northern.
Sophomores Amanda Wells (Mason) and Meredith Miller (Noblesville, Ind.) also return after starting as rookies a year ago.
"We have a solid core to build around in the midfield," Hemminger said. "Ann and Kayla are fifth-year seniors and Amanda and Meredith were solid as freshmen last year. We also have a number freshmen that will contribute to give us depth here."
Attack
Junior Kaitlin Thomson (Johns Creek, Ga./Chattahoochee) and sophomores Maddie Girard (Lewis Center/Olentangy Orange) and Kiersten Schultz (Bethel Park, Pa.) return up front.
Schultz led the Polar Bears in scoring as a freshman last season with 14 goals and 18 points in five games, including five goals in her first collegiate contest.
Thomson had five goals and an assist and Girard had one goal and four assists in the abbreviated 5-game season.
"We will be a little more dynamic this year," Hemminger said. "Kiersten had a breakout rookie season and is getting more confidence every day. Kaitlin and Maddie will play bigger roles in our offense due to their versatility on the attacking end. We also have a number of freshmen that I'm extremely excited about.
Goalie
Three talented freshmen will vie for the starting goalkeeper spot in 2021.
Addison Bellistri (Wildwood, Mo./Nerinx), Molly Dixson (Cannonaburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) and Chloe Millican (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) will all battle for the position.
"We have a good competition at goalie," Hemminger said. "All three players are talented and we are excited about when each of them brings. "
Schedule
The Polar Bears will play a double-round robin schedule in the Ohio Athletic Conference as the league has eliminated non-conference games in 2021.
Ohio Northern will play each of the eight other schools that sponsor women's lacrosse twice with one home and one away game.
The OAC Tournament will expand to six teams and will take place from April 27-May 1.
"Our ladies had the majority of their season taken away from them last year, so we are just very excited to be playing in 2021," Hemminger said. "We are trying to control what we can control and we appreciate the opportunity we have before us to compete. We try to take advantage of every day."