McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team recently held its end-of-season banquet, where head coach Abby Kushina announced the recipients of various team awards. In her inaugural year leading the Green and White, Kushina's team ended the season with an 8-9 overall record and a 3-2 standing in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), securing third place in the league.

Freshman Maddie Gibson was recognized as the team's Most Valuable Attacker. Senior Mia Fiandaca and junior Sadie Newton shared the title of Most Valuable Midfielder. Seniors Mallory Mills and Lizzie Rymarcsuk were named co-recipients of the Most Valuable Defensive Player award. Freshman Cassie Fischmann received the Most Improved Player award, while junior Anelise DiGiovanni was honored with the Heart of a Titan award.

Gibson, who earned Second Team All-CCIW honors, played a significant role in orchestrating the offense. She finished second on the team with 13 assists and tied for third with 23 goals, totaling 36 points. Additionally, she contributed 16 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.

Fiandaca concluded her career by setting a new single-season record for caused turnovers with 58, raising her career total to 132—the second-highest in program history. She led the team with 38 points from a team-best 36 goals and collected 47 ground balls. Fiandaca was named CCIW Defensive Player of the Year and received First Team All-CCIW honors for the second time.

Newton excelled across multiple areas on the field this season. She led IWU in draw controls with 61, recorded 36 points—tying for second on the team—and scored 26 goals. Her performance earned her Second Team All-CCIW recognition.

Mills provided consistent defensive support throughout her final season as a three-year captain for IWU. She played all 17 games, ending her college career ranked among IWU's top ten in both games played and started.

Rymarcsuk broke IWU's single-season saves record with 165 saves over her senior year. Her .481 save percentage helped earn her Second Team All-CCIW honors.

Fischmann appeared in nine games during her freshman year, making four starts while contributing defensively to earn Most Improved Player recognition.

DiGiovanni was pivotal to both IWU's offense and maintaining its culture. She finished with a team-high of 15 assists alongside scoring 12 goals.

Coach Kushina awarded letters to seventeen student-athletes; thirteen are expected to return next season.