LINFIELD UNIVERSITY LACROSSE VERSUS WHITMAN • MARCH 25, 2023

WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY

TODAY’S MATCHUP: WHITMAN AT LINFIELD

game operations | event staff

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Dr. Garry Killgore

EVENT MANAGER

Doug Hire

COMMUNICATIONS

Kaho Akau, Logan Clizer

STATISTICS

Emily Hyde

PUBLIC ADDRESS, SCOREBOARD

Jasmine Williams

TIMER

Kira Hawaaboo

FIELD MONITOR

Grant Jackson

VIDEO WEBCASTS

Joe Stuart, Johnny Miller, Joel Nelson

GAME PROGRAM

Kelly Bird, Felip Unker, Kaho Akau, Nathan Herde

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

a path less traveled

The discomfort of pursuing new dreams and passions has not detered Leah Stednick from wanting to impact the world

by marissa dolson ’24

The love for furthering one’s connection with the natural world has become something Linfield University women’s lacrosse player Leah Stednick has admired.

During her year-and-a-half journey at Linfield, Stednick traveled abroad, providing the sophomore from Mercer Island, Washington, with her fondest memories thus far.

“Through the different cities we traveled to in New Zealand, each brought its own unique experience,” says Stednick. “Fascinating conversations with locals, star gazing with no light pollution, swimming in the Tasman Sea, hiking in national parks and furthering our connection to the environment by confronting plant blindness.”

As her foreign study wrapped up, her love for the world flourished sufficiently to alter her choice of college degrees. Before her newfound passion, Stednick was an aspiring marketing major. She had enjoyed a history of serving in DECA, being involved in International Entrepreneur ship, and working hand-in-hand with the Young Women’s Leadership Summit at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. Stednick realized that her heart didn’t follow her comfort and experience within business or marketing.

“My senior year of high school, I participated in a course called International Entrepreneur ship. For the course, we created an international corporation and established international trading partners with other countries.”

“I was elected as President of Socially Responsible Businesses in the Eastern Hemisphere. My division of the corporation worked with businesses in India to procure and sell goods through our online store. It was a phe nomenal learning experience to manage a busi ness, especially during COVID times.”

Once she enrolled at Linfield, Stednick de cided it was time to explore an entirely different pathway with new and exciting challenges.

“Last fall, I realized marketing might not be the perfect match for me. In my senior year of high school, I took AP Macroeconomics and I found it both challenging and interesting, so I decided to take an economics class. I took Economics 210 and loved the course.

“With a newfound intrigue in economics, some additional courses, and the encouragement of my Professor Eric Schuck, I changed my declared major to economics this year and plan to pursue a minor in environmental sciences. I would love to find a career that combines my interest in economics with my passion for the natural world.”

s love for the natural world can be found not only in her academics but also as part of her extracurricular activities, saying she’s “always loved spending time outdoors doing activities such as trail running and hiking. In particular, I love swimming and spending time in the ocean. This summer, I hope to gain my scuba diving license. It’s been a goal of mine for a long time.”

s family has always encouraged her to create goals and work toward them relentlessly. Returning home to Mercer Island, she is encouraged by her mother, Greta, father, Dan, and brother, Travis. Her family’s advocacy has been an influential factor growing up for Leah.

“My parents both grew up in the Seattle area and have always been big advocates of the Pacific Northwest. They both encourage me to pursue my interests and have always supported me as a student-athlete. They trust that I will get the work done and have complete confidence in me,” she says. “Travis has also been very supportive and I can always count on him for late-night chats.”

s continuous involvement in different organizations, she enjoys traveling the world and sports. Stednick admits to a love for simple things, such as “burning cookies with my roommate in the dorm kitchen, team dinners at the dining hall, and study sessions with

It’s clear to say that Leah Stednick has found passions through Linfield she will forever hold close to her heart. The discomfort of pursuing new dreams and passions has not discouraged her from exploring a less-traveled path. Her love for the natural world will be something that will guide her in discovering her future career niche.

THANK YOU CORPORATE PARTNERS

SARAH DALSEY HEAD COACH

Sarah Dalsey is in her first year as women’s lacrosse coach at Linfield. Prior to arrioving at Linfield, 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.

MAIA REZOSKI ASSISTANT COACH

Maia Rezoski joins the coaching staff this spring after an decorated playing career at Linfield.

A three-time Northwest Conference allstar and four-year letter winner, she wrapped up her playing career ranking fourth on Linfield’s all-time points and assists lists.

A graduate of Mount Si High School in Washington state, Rezoski lettered three times in lacrosse while serving as team captain and leading her team in draw controls and assists.

She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology in May 2022.

GAME DAY PREVIEW

THE RECORDS

Linfield enters the second half of the NWC slate at 2-6 overall and 2-4 in North-west Conference play. Whitman sits in second place at 5-3 overall with a 4-1 NWC mark.

LINFIELD AT A GLANCE

The Wildcats won back-to-back games over Pacific and Puget Sound to close the first half of NWC play. Their lone game last week was a 14-8 non-conference loss to Carroll University (Wis.). Gabby Crist ranks fourth in the NWC with 31 goals. Her seasonhigh eight goals against Puget Sound are tied for the top performance in the league this season. Crist also leads the ‘Cats with six assists and 36 draw controls. Grayce Miller is the team’s leader in ground balls (27) and caused turnovers (18). Caity Babcock has 46 saves and a 9.69 goals against average in eight appearances and five starts in goal.

WHITMAN AT A GLANCE

Whitman will play four games this week. The Blues played at Spalding and Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday on their Kentucky road trip before returning to NWC play to take on Linfield and Pacific. The Blues have the top two goal scorers in the league in Madeleine Sherry and Erin Magnuson. Sherry’s 36 goals lead the conference while Magnuson’s 33 rank second. Sherry also leads the team and is third in the NWC with 17 assists. Korin Wheaton is 4-1 in goal with 57 saves and an 8.83 GAA.

THE SERIES

Linfield is 6-9 in the all-time series with Whitman. Both teams have had their streaks. The Blues won eight straight games between 2015 and 2018, but the Wildcats took five straight meetings from 2019 to 2022, scoring 20 or more goals in four of those wins. The ‘Cats fell 20-8 to the Blues in their season opener on Feb. 25 in Spokane, Washington.

15 JOELLE TRAN

savannah irwin | 6 5-7 | Freshman | Offense Bend, Oregon

hope mccomish | 13 5-3 | Freshman | Defense Beaverton, Oregon

brooke hatch | 5 5-6 | Freshman | Defense Beaverton, Oregon

joelle TRAN | 15 5-7 | Freshman | Offense San Diego, California

erynn mccurdy | 21 5-1 | Freshman | Offense Eagle Mountain, Utah

maranda tucker | 18 5-7 | Senior | Defense Corvallis, Oregon

grayce miller | 20 5-1 | Freshman | Defense San Diego, California

mackenzie kulick | 25

5-5 | Sophomore | Defense The Woodlands, Texas

gracie pratt | 27 5-3 | Freshman | Defense Carbondale, Colorado

gabby crist | 7 5-5 | Freshman | Defense Lake Oswego, Oregon

elena kroll | 19 5-2 | Senior | Defense Hood River, Oregon

kelsey reinemer | 22 5-8 | Sophomore | Defense Redmond, Oregon

maizri chandler | 28 5-8 | Freshman | Midfield Scappoose, Oregon

caity babcock | 75 5-5 | Sophomore | Goalkeeper Salinas, California

tenley hodge | 99 5-8 | Freshman | Goalkeeper Beaverton, Oregon

MAYA WRIGHT | 2 5-3 | Sophomore | Midfield West Linn, Oregon

LEAH STEDNICK | 17

5-4 | Sophomore | Offense Mercer Island, Washington

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.

LINFIELD WILDCATS

HEAD COACH: Sarah Dalsey (first year)

ASSISTANT COACH: Maia Rezoski

WHITMAN BLUES

HEAD COACH: Heidi Colford (second year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Adira Awe, Brian Kitamura