The Illinois Wesleyan University women’s lacrosse team is set to host Carthage College in an important College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) competition on Saturday, April 19. The match will begin at 1 p.m. at Illinois Wesleyan’s home ground in Bloomington, Ill. The game is dedicated to supporting “Morgan’s Message,” a non-profit organization focused on mental health advocacy in memory of Morgan Rogers. Rogers was a former Duke University Lacrosse student-athlete who passed away in July 2019 after facing mental health struggles.
“Morgan’s Message” aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and seeks to equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. The organization’s mission includes fostering open mental health discussions, empowering individuals to voice their struggles, and offering support to those who feel isolated.
Coming into the match, the Titans hold a record of 7-7 overall and 2-1 in the conference play. Illinois Wesleyan recently achieved a 22-13 victory over North Central College. Juniors Anelise DiGiovanni and Sarah Riepe, along with senior Lizzie Rymarcsuk, significantly contributed to the win with standout performances.
Senior Avery Setzler currently leads the team with 31 points, followed closely by Sadie Newton with 30 points. Fiandaca and freshman Maddie Gibson both hold 29 points. In terms of defensive statistics, Rymarcsuk tops the team with 39 ground balls and has made 133 saves this season.
This upcoming match marks the 12th encounter between Illinois Wesleyan and Carthage. Historically, the Titans aim to overcome their recent four-game losing streak against the Firebirds. In their last competition on May 1, 2024, Carthage secured a 16-11 victory in the CCIW Tournament Semifinal against the Titans. Fiandaca’s performance stood out in that previous game with six goals, and she tied for team-high points along with Britney Maldonado.
A live stream and live statistics of the contest will be available for interested followers.
