LINFIELD UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S LACROSSE VERSUS PUGET SOUND • APRIL 27, 2024

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

changemaker

Gaining control over her own personal struggles is leading Maizri Chandler to make an impact in women’s healthcare

by karlie vercauteren ’27

Maizri Chandler is a born-and-bred lacrosse player who has learned throughout a lifetime of play to be strong and fight for what she believes in.

The Linfield University junior and Scappoose, Oregon, resident says her parents met playing lacrosse at a “small D3 school in Indiana” and “got me and my brother into it really young. We had the tiny little sticks as soon as we could walk.”

By the time she started second grade, Chandler was on a team coached by her mom and has been playing lacrosse competitively ever since. Even with how central lacrosse is to her family, there was never any outside pressure on Chandler to stick with the sport. “It definitely was my own choice. I’ve always loved lacrosse,” she says. “It’s the one time I can kind of turn my brain off and just go out there and have fun. It’s like muscle memory, my body just knows what to do.”

Having dedicated time when action wins over thought is crucial for Chandler, who spent many years struggling with feelings of insecurity. She explains that while she was doing better toward the end of high school, attending Linfield has been an absolute game-changer for her self-esteem.

With her teammates at her side, Chandler is progressing with “feeling comfortable and confident taking up space; (understanding) I deserve to be there, I deserve to be heard and be loud.”

As Chandler’s teammates have watched her grow, they have developed a deep respect and love for her. Teammate Caity Babcock describes Chandler as “one of the kindest people I know. She always has my back, on and off the field, and is always there to support me. Her kindness and smile always brighten my day.”

And as far as lacrosse goes, “Maizri is very patient and determined and will always strike back with her famous rocker dodge,” says Babcock, referring to an attack technique used by players.

Outside of lacrosse, Chandler is a public health major and also plans on earning a nursing degree. “Initially coming in, I wanted to just be a nursing major,” she says. But reflecting on both her lacrosse aspira tions and the state of health care and the world made her realize she desired a different approach to her education. “(Public health) is so interesting. I feel like it sets you up so well for nursing and it’s more of a well-rounded experience.”

While there are a multitude of areas Chandler feels passionate about working in, “I am definitely interested in being a nurse in women’s healthcare . . . It’s something I take personally as a woman . . . It’s so sad to me that there are so many women in the country that don’t have access to healthcare (that) should be a universal right. I know it’s going to cost the lives of so many women and children and (decrease) their quality of life.”

As someone who has “always been a very empathetic person,” Chandler is enormously unsettled by the current state of healthcare and wants to improve that system from the inside-out. “I just want to be someone to listen to them and talk to them and just be there.”

Chandler is already doing work that perfectly combines her passions for sports and supporting people through their health journeys. “I’m a CrossFit trainer at a nonprofit gym and we provide free CrossFit for people in recovery from substance use disorders, mental health disorders, eating disorders, anything like that. I’m double certified as a CrossFit trainer and a recovery mentor . . . we have a community, we have mentorship, we connect people with job resources, transportation, and housing.”

The connection Chandler has to her gym is highly personal and involves a journey she does not often discuss. “I am in eating disorder recovery. I have been for almost three years now. My mom actually found this gym for me when I was going into my senior year of high school.”

In that time, Chandler worked one-on-one with a personal trainer who she now describes as her “second mom.” Chandler has a powerful testament to the role of that gym in her recovery journey, saying “that was finally the one thing that stuck for me in my recovery; getting healthy, focusing on myself and getting stronger and more confident.” With grit and dedication, she’s made remarkable progress and her trainer could clearly see Chandler’s enormous potential. She was offered an internship and became certified as a trainer within a year. Mentoring people through their recovery journeys has helped Chandler to embrace hers and all the ways it has shaped who she is today.

“Coming in last year, I didn’t want it to become part of my identity. I just wanted to finally be a normal college-age kid and just experience that. But it is a big part of who I am, and it could help people by sharing it,” she says.

This mindset exemplifies both Maizri Chandler’s tenacity and caring spirit, which will set her up to be a fantastic nurse and changemaker. As she moves forward, she will continue to learn that it is not her struggles that define her, but the grace with which she has overcome them and the way she is using them to power a future of service and care.

HEAD COACH SARAH DALSEY

from the ground up

Sarah Dalsey is in her second year as women’s lacrosse coach at Linfield. She is the ninth women’s lacrosse coach in the program’s 26-year history.

Most recently, Dalsey worked for one year at NCSA Sports, connecting prospective students and families with collegiate athletic programs that fit their interests and needs. In 2020, she worked at Pro-Fit in West Berlin, New Jersey, managing administrative and financial workflows.

Dalsey’s administrative experience also includes internships at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, where she assisted the director of athletics with a variety of essential tasks, and at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, where she served one year in the athletics communications office.

Her coaching resume features three years as an assistant women’s lacrosse coach at McDaniel and two years assisting at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. In addition, Dalsey was head coach of the Nike Girls Lacrosse Camp at McDaniel College and Pace University, and led club travel teams in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Dalsey completed a bachelor’s degree in Sports Studies and Communications/Media Studies at Manhattanville College. She went on to earn a master’s degree in kinesiology from McDaniel while serving as a graduate assistant coach.

sarah dalsey

Sarah Dalsey is steadily breathing new life into the Linfield lacrosse program, growing expectations for future success

MEET THE WILDCATS

Maya wright | 2 5-3 | Junior | M/A West Linn, Oregon

Savannah irwin | 6 5-7 | Sophomore | O Bend, Oregon

Star pfleiger| 12 5-5 | Freshman | M Schuylerville, New York

Madison de la trinidad | 3 5-8 | Freshman | D West Los Angeles, California

Elizabeth Long | 13 5-0 | Freshman | D Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Mackenzie Kulick | 25 5-5 | Junior | D The Woodlands, Texas

Grayce Miller | 20 5-1 | Sophomore | D San Diego, California

Leah Stednick | 17 5-4 | Junior | O/M Mercer Island, Washington

Kelsey Reinemer | 22 5-8 | Junior | D Redmond, Oregon

Maizri chandler | 28 5-8 | Sophomore | M/A Scappoose, Oregon

Caity babcock | 75 5-5 | Junior | GK Salinas, Califronia

Tristan Zehner Assistant Coach First Year

Gabby crist | 7 5-5 | Sophomore | M Lake Oswego, Oregon

Emma gallegos | 21 5-3 | Freshman | D West Valleyt, Utah

Tenley hodge | 99 5-8 | Sophomore | GK Beaverton, Oregon

Sarah Dalsey Head Coach Second Year

Gracie pratt | 27 5-3 | Sophomore | D Carbondale, Colorado

PUGET SOUND LOGGERS

HEAD COACH: Ashley Eddolls (first year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Shelly Nogueira-Miller, Molly Devilbiss

LINFIELD VERSUS PUGET SOUND

match breakdown

THE RECORDS

Linfield moved to 4-7 overall and 3-6 in Northwest Conference play after losing road games to Whitworth and Whitman last weekend. The Wildcats are playing at home for the first time in a month, hosting NWC foe Pacific (2-10, 0-8 NWC)

LINFIELD AT A GLANCE

The Wildcats average 14.09 goals per game which ranks fourth in the NWC. Gabby Crist (35) leads the offense in total goals with Leah Stednick (24) and Mackenzie Kulcik (23) the next closest. Savannah Irwin led the ‘Cats in assists with 16. Madison De La Trinidad leads the conference in ground balls per game at 3.18 and caused turnovers per game with 1.82. In goal, Tenley Hodge has started all 11 games and has totaled 96 saves on a .389 save percentage.

PACIFIC AT A GLANCE

The Boxers average 6.36 goals per game which is last in the conference. Hyland Cullen-Musengo leads the Pacific offense with 19 goals with Devyn Davis is the only other player in double digits with 14. Zannah Suehiro leads the Boxers’ defense with 10 caused turnovers. Goalie Sophie Sheppard leads Pacific goalkeepers with 63 saves while holding a .391 save percentage.

SERIES HISTORY

Linfield is going for the season sweep after defeating Pacific in Forest Grove 24-16. The Wildcats are 16-19 all-time against the Boxers. The ‘Cats are 10-0 in the last 10 matchups and are looking to extend an 11-game winning streak against Pacific.

20 grayce miller

LINFIELD SPORTS NETWORK

The Linfield Sports Network will again bring fans live action of all home Linfield lacrosse matches during the 2023 season. Fans can enjoy live video webcasts with play-by-play commentary on their computer, tablet, mobile device or smart TV.

Live coverage begins 10 minutes prior to the start of each contest. Broadcasts include a complete postgame wrap-up with analysis and statistical breakdown.

McMinnville native Joe Stuart, a 2020 Linfield graduate, is the Athletics Broadcast Operations Coordinator, managing all aspects of Linfield’s webcasting outreach and handling lead play-by-play duties on Linfield football, baseball and softball webcasts in addition to basketball. Stuart also assists with other external sports communications and social media needs.

Linfield freshman Johnny Miller will handle play-by-play duties on Linfield lacrosse broadcasts this spring. Miller is a graduate of Jesuit High School in Portland and a member of the Linfield football team. He made his broadcast debut recently, calling play-byplay for Linfield baseball games.

All LSN broadcasts, both live and on demand, can be accessed at golinfieldwildcats.com/watch or from within the Linfield Athletics app on mobile, tablet or smart TVs.

From the weekend warrior to the elite athlete, we are ready to get you back in the game. We will work closely with you to help create a treatment plan geared to and focused on you.

We are proud to serve as the team physicians for Linfield College, McMinnville High School and the See Ya Later Foundation.

Uncommon place

Uncommon people

Left to right: Anela Madarang-Brandes, Ainsley Medina, Sydney Downing, Paige Richards, Margaritah Bañuelos, Paige Pa’aluhi, Journey DePonte, Bella Rodriguez, Araeya Watanabe, Katelin Sindelar, Nora Myre, Marina Erosa, Ryli Kalahiki, Camryn Hirst, Claire Johnson, Cam Coughlin, Lexi Correa.

LACROSSE STANDINGS

Note: Lewis & Clark and Pacific Lutheran are launching new programs and are playing non-conference schedules this spring before joining the NWC in earnest in 2025.

Taste the bounty of the region in unexpected ways.

Now taking reservations for our new Seasons menu celebrating the micro-seasons from our farm. Also duck into our cozy Cellar Bar for farm-inspired cocktails, our six-course tasting menu or a la carte bites.

A new class of inductees is honored at the Hall of Fame Banquet each fall. Inductees are chosen from a list of submitted nominations and voted upon by the Hall of Fame Executive and Selection Committees. The 20-member panel is made up of current and former staff members, past inductees, a member of the media, and a former athlete representing each of the preceding six decades.

Nominations must be submitted in writing using an official nomination form. Hall of Fame nominations are considered in any one of six categories: Athlete, Coach, Team, Athletics Staff, and Meritorious Service.

The Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame, sponsored by Pacific Office Automation, was established in 1998 as an avenue to honor former athletes, coaches, staff and contributors and to preserve the memory of their past achievements.

Junior second baseman Brynn Nelson is named the NWC’s Player of the Week for a fourth time

Linfield softball player Brynn Nelson was named Northwest Conference Softball Player Student-Athlete of the Week after her efforts in Linfield’s four-game sweep over Lewis & Clark last weekend. Nelson’s selection is her fourth such honor this season.

Nelson hit .540 or better in all four games and totaled five hits with at least one coming in every game. She poured in three runs, six RBIs, drew five walks and mashed two home runs.

The Bonney Lake, Wash., native leads the conference in batting average (.551), hits (49) and OPS (1.515). Nelson also ranks among the leaders in home runs (8), RBIs (36) and doubles (7).

Linfield continues adding to its best program start after moving to 32-0. The Wildcats are back at Del Smith Stadium on Sunday when they host Yamhill County rival George Fox with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for 12 noon.

PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS

THE TOPCAT CLUB

The Linfield University TopCat Club serves as a support organization to the 21 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams and the more than 500 students who participate in athletics each year. Each year, support from the TopCat Club is essential to maintaining and expanding each of these programs.

The mission of the TopCat Club is to provide students with an outstanding athletic and academic experience and to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the overall Linfield athletics program.

At Linfield, we continually strive to improve programs and facilities so that our teams may compete at the highest level. Roughly 75 percent of the athletic department’s annual operating budget comes from the university’s general fund. The remainder is generated through a wide variety of external sources, including annual gifts to the Linfield TopCat Club.

To learn more about giving opportunities, please visit the TopCat Club website at www.linfieldtopcat.com

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