MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University lacrosse team kicks off its stretch of seven road games this week with three games in four days from Wednesday, March 22 to Satruday, March 25. 

The 'Cats start their action in North Canton, Ohio, against the Walsh University Cavaliers, then move to Indianapolis, Indiana, to square off against the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds, and cap it off in Lebanon, Illinois, when they take on the University of McKendree Bearcats.

The Wildcats are currently first in the GLIAC with a 5-2 overall record and a 1-0 conference record. Walsh is first in the GMAC (Great Midwest Athletic Conference) with a 5-2 overall record, Indianapolis is second in the GLVC with an 8-1 overall record, and McKendree is sixth in the GLVC with a 4-5 overall record. 


Follow The Action
Follow @nmuwlax and @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continuous updates throughout the week.

Wednesday, March 22 - at Walsh at 4 p.m.
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Friday, March 24 - at Indianapolis at 4 p.m.
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Saturday, March 25 - at McKendree at 3 p.m.
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Last Time Out
The Northern Michigan University lacrosse team returned to the Superior Dome looking for a bounce-back game after dropping two straight on the road, and the 'Cats took care of business against Concordia St. Paul, defeating the Golden Bears by a score of 13-11.

Minnie Bittell led the way for the Green and Gold as she led all athletes with five goals on the evening, and broke Northern's all-time goal record of 108 goals (112), putting her at 20 on the season. Kaitlyn Bridger potted two goals and registered two assists for four points on the evening, and Katelyn Mongold netted two of her own and registered a helper.


Cat Nips

• Minnie Bittell earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week and IWLCA National Player of the Week after she netted 5 goals on 6 shots in NMU's 13-11 victory over Concordia-St. Paul.  She became Northern's all-time leading goal-scorer, with 112 in her career. She also added two ground balls, two caused turnovers, and five draw controls. 
• Lauryn Rygiel received GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week after she had one goal, three draw controls, seven ground balls, and five draw controls in the 13-11 win over Concordia-St. Paul. She created turnovers and ground balls with tough cutter defense and great slides and is the clear machine for NMU's midfield, being able to weave through walls of riding attack/mids.
• Minnie Bittell leads the 'Cats with 25 points and 21 goals. Across the GLIAC, her 21 goals are second and her 25 points are fourth. She has 112 career goals, recently breaking the program-high of 108 (Graison Ringlever, 2017-20).
• Katelyn Mongold (19G, 3A) and Kaitlyn Bridger (15G, 7A) are both second on the team with 22 points each. That ties them for sixth across the conference landscape. Madi Bast is third on the team in goals with 18.
• Mongold leads the GLIAC in shots with 44, Bittell is T3 with 42, and Bast is fifth with 41. 
• Bittell leads the GLIAC in free-position goals with 11, and Bast is second with eight. 
• Goalie Hannah Melander currently leads the GLIAC in goals against average (11.37), and is second in saves (58), saves percentage (44.6%), and total goals against (72). 
• Lauryn Rygiel is second in the conference with 29 draw controls. 
• The Wildcats set a record on Monday, February 27, recording its first shutout in program history. The 'Cats also tied the program record for the largest margin of victory of 21 points (Upper Iowa, 3/20/22). 

GLIAC Honors
February 27
Maddi Bast - Offensive Player of the Week
Hannah Melander - Defensive Player of the Week

March 20
Minnie Bittell - Offensive Player of the Week
Lauryn Rygiel - Defensive Player of the Week


A Look at Walsh
The Cavaliers are currently on a five-game win streak, where they have outscored opponents 70-30 in that timeframe. Lindsay Hindman and Melinda Maers lead the Cavaliers with 18 goals each in seven games played, both good for first in the G-MAC. Isabella Kelty leads the G-MAC with 20 assists and 4.29 points/game. Rebekah Bargeron leads the G-MAC in GAA (6.02) and SV% (.574%). The Wildcats have faced Walsh once in program history, losing the match 7-19 in 2017.  


A Look at Indianapolis
The Greyhounds opened its season on an eight game winning streak before that was just recently snapped by the #7 ranked Regis Rangers by a score of 14-12. Joey Fowler leads the Greyhounds with 31 goals, good for third in the GLVC, Quinn Malcolm leads the GLVC in assists (23) and is second in points (46). Audrey Moran leads the GLVC in GAA (6.78) and is fifth in SV% (.479%). The Wildcats are 0-4 against the Greyhounds in program history, with the last matchup taking place in 2019. 


A Look at the Bearcats
McKendree finds itself in the midst of a skid, going 1-5 in its last six games played, being outscored by opponents 58-77 in that frame. Kat Albrecht leads the Bearcats in points (37), goals (30), and assists (7). Her 3.75 GPG average is good for second, her 6.75 SPG is good for third, and her 4.63 PPG is good for fourth across the GLVC landscape. Clara Andrews is second in SV% (.500) and saves per game (10.38), and fifth in GAA (10.38) across the GLVC netminders. The 'Cats are 0-6 against McKendree in program history, with the last matchup taking place in 2020.