ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the spring semester, cspbears.com will feature its spring senior student-athletes who had their careers cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), providing a glimpse into their past, present and future to our followers who were unable to see them compete in 2020.
Due to the ongoing changing legislation with college athletics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring student-athletes are expected to retain a year of eligibility. Some of the CSP seniors have expressed interest in returning for the 2020-21 academic year with the goal of competing for their full senior year. Since it's early in the process, cspbears.com will not differentiate between seniors who will and won't return and instead will profile each senior consistently.
Today's student-athlete in the spring senior spotlight feature is
Katie Lottsfeldt, a criminal justice major and sociology minor from Stillwater, Minnesota. Her decorated career includes being a two-time All-GLIAC performer before her senior year even began, earning Second Team honors as a sophomore in 2018 before making the honorable mention list as a junior while also securing GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors once in her career.
Even with a background of awards in her cabinet, Lottsfeldt had raised her game a notch for the opening part of her senior year, and did so against the toughest schedule in team history. Through seven games, all starts, Lottsfeldt had ranked 14th in the country in goals against average (8.09) and 17th in saves percentage (.500) among 175 ranked goalies on a national level. She was the GLIAC leader in both statistics, as well, and ranked second in the league in total saves (41) as well as goalie wins (5) and minutes (304:03). Her aggressive, attacking style of play in the cage also allowed her to lead the league with 25 ground balls, eight ahead of second place teammate
Lexi Stanley, to go with nine caused turnovers which ranked fifth in the GLIAC.
While she was off to the best start of her career, Lottsfeldt had showed significant improvement throughout her career, increasing her save percentage each year and holding a .429 career mark across 56 games to go with 436 total saves and a career 12.87 goals against average which had been cut in half from her sophomore year (16.28) to senior year (8.09).
She is the program's leader for ground balls in a career (241), season (75, 2017) and single game (12, vs UIndy, 4/29/18) while establishing the career records across the board in the net.
She's been a part of a program that has produced a 31-26 all-time record and was a starter on the 2019 team that produced team records in overall wins (11), GLIAC wins (7) and qualified for the postseason for the first time, hosting and winning its GLIAC Tournament first round contest to reach the semifinals.
Head coach Joe Nelson on Katie Lottsfeldt:
"'Lotts' was an elite brick wall between the pipes. She was a top-ranked goaltender in the country with her unorthodox play and incredible doorstop saves that left you wondering 'how did she make that save?!' As the heart of the defense, we will miss her charisma, voice, and most of all her leadership."
KATIE LOTTSFELDT - IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
KL: I started playing lacrosse when I was 11
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
KL: I chose to come to Concordia because it was close to home, so my parents were able to make it to as many games as possible. Our freshman year was also the inaugural season here.
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
KL: Everything from practice to games to bus rides to team hangouts.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
KL: Getting to see and play lacrosse with my sisters everyday.
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
KL: After graduation I'm hoping to be a college lacrosse coach somewhere.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
KL: Not sure, have to take it step by step.
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
KL: Heather Coppola and Summer Fowler, my lacrosse coaches. They have always had our backs no matter what, been there for us when no one else was and I know I can count on them to be there for me whenever I need them.
CSP: Who is your role model?
KL: My biggest role models are my parents. They taught be how to play sports growing up (not lacrosse), have taught me valuable lessons and have always been my #1 supports and biggest fans.
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
KL: I've learned to deal with adversity and never take your foot off the gas.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
KL: Cherish every second with your team on and off the field because it's going to be done before you know it.
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
KL: Jordyn Clark, the All-NSIC women's soccer Goalkeeper of the Year. She always has the best attitude, she can bring a smile to absolutely anyones face and she is one of the funniest people I have ever met.
