The women’s lacrosse inaugural season has officially come to a close, and with that, four Pioneers received Mountain East Conference women’s lacrosse postseason honors.
Andrea Kinger was named on the All-MEC second team and All-Freshman team. Kiley Leasure joined Kinger on the All-Freshman team. Taylor Desko and Ava Miller were both named All-MEC Honorable Mentions at midfield and defense, respectively.
“I am so impressed with [the women] for earning All-Conference Honors,” coach Erik Ingram said. “The MEC is a really competitive conference full of great players, so for young players on a first-year team to earn these honors is something special.”
Freshman attacker Kinger was second in the MEC in goals per game with 3.13, points per game with 4.87 and shots per game at 7.07. She was fifth with 1.73 assists per game and sixth in ground balls per game with 2.67, while being named MEC Player of the Week twice throughout the season.
“I am really proud of these young ladies,” Ingram said. “It’s a true testament to the hard work they’ve put in this year.”
Onto Leasure, a freshman attacker, recorded 34 goals and 45 points over her 16 games played. In the MEC, Leasure ranked eighth in 5.4 shots per game.
“It felt good to know my hard work paid off,” Leasure said. “I can’t wait to be able to get back on the field with my teammates in the fall.”
Junior attacker and captain, Desko, was an All-MEC Honorable Mention at midfield. Desko led the conference in ground balls per game with 5, fifth in caused turnovers per game at 1.93 and eighth in draw controls per game with 2.93. Even though Desko only played 14 games, she recorded 70 ground balls over the season.
“It’s an honor and something I’m super proud of,” Desko said. “It’s a great way to represent the concept of hard work and how it pays off. I’m so happy I was able to represent that to such a young team.”
The final woman to earn MEC postseason honors was freshman defender Miller, who was an All-MEC Honorable Mention at defense. Miller picked up 31 ground balls over the season, leading all Pioneer defenders.
“I feel very grateful to have been given this honorable mention,” Miller said. “Playing this season and growing with the team and coaches has taught me a ton on and off the field.”
Point Park’s first season ended with 5-12 overall, and 2-8 in conference play.
“Our team showed resilience and strength going into every game,” Miller said. “As a young team, we didn’t let that hold us back and showed up every game for each other. Definitely looking forward to the seasons to come and the wisdom we take into the next season.”
Taking the season at large into consideration, coach Ingram shared his thoughts.
“I am so proud of this season,” Ingram said. “Not just the wins, but also the way the team handled themselves as a young group in unfamiliar territory. The season taught us a lot. We will need to be a lot stronger and faster next year to be able to compete with the top teams. I have no doubt we will exceed expectations next year and that this amazing group of young ladies is more than up to the task.”
As it works towards next season, Ingram has stated that the team has already laid out plans to work on stick work, footwork, wrist strength, overall strength and conditioning programs.
“We also have a strong group of new players joining us in the fall that includes a few who are expected to contribute immediately,” Ingram said. “The idea is for us to continue on this journey, which should result in more wins and a trip to the conference playoffs next year.”
