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.
Closing out this week in the senior spotlight series is Apple Valley, Minnesota native
Cassidy Leininger, an accounting major and business management minor. She's been a two-time GLIAC All-Academic Team selection and as a junior earned All-GLIAC Honorable Mention on defense.
Throughout her career, Leininger and the CSP defense quietly produced big results, culminating in a senior season that concluded being ranked #25 by the IWLCA Division II Top-25 coaches' poll and #16 in the most recent released poll by Nike / US Lacrosse Division II Top-20, where the Golden Bears ranked as high as #14.
The defense was a key factor, as the Golden Bears finished the 2020 season ranked sixth in the country in caused turnovers per game (13.7), ninth in ground balls per game (25.0), 16th in scoring defense (8.0/game) and 21st in saves percentage (.491) – all key factors measuring the unit as a whole's success when individual statistics often don't paint a full picture of a defensive player's performance.
The four year starter ranks third in club history with 50 starts in the program's 57 total games, while playing in 55 of them. In the last two years, with CSP combining for a 16-9 overall record including this year's top-25 finish, Leininger played in all 25 while making 24 starts.
In her career, Leininger racked up 61 career ground balls, 36 caused turnovers and 18 draw controls. She put up her best individuals statistics in her debut season, registering 26 ground balls, 17 draw controls and 13 caused turnovers. As a senior, she was off to her strongest statistical campaign with 10 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers in just seven games played. The 10 caused turnovers in seven games, a 1.43 per game rate, ranks fifth in single season history in the program.
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 Cassidy Leininger:
"'Cass' was one of the leaders of our top ranked defense. She came to compete day in and day out, and shined in every matchup assignment thrown at her. Her demeanor and shutdown nature will be greatly missed."
CASSIDY LEININGER - IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
CL: I started playing lacrosse when I was 13 years old.
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
CL: I chose to attend Concordia because it offered me a chance to be on the first-ever Women's Lacrosse team at CSP! Concordia also provided the major that I wanted to pursue and was close to home.
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
CL: My favorite memory as a Golden Bear would have to be my very last game in Florida against a top ranked opponent. We ended up winning in overtime and the team celebration that followed will be a top memory for life.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
CL: I will miss the abundance of friendly people and the fun atmosphere, but I will miss my team the most!
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
CL: I plan to move home and find a job as a recruiter in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
CL: I see myself pursuing a successful career while starting a family. I also see myself traveling and keeping in touch with my college besties.
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
CL: Professor Grube has been extremely encouraging and supportive over the time I spent at Concordia. He cares a lot about teaching and his students' success. He also tries to get his students ready for the real world, thank you Grube for all your hard work!
CSP: Who is your role model?
CL: My older sister Kaitlyn has and always will be my biggest role model. Her positive attitude, strength, passion for her work, and determination to succeed inspires me to be better every day.
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
CL: I learned to be flexible and able to adapt to change. I learned to balance my life and manage my time wisely. I also learned never to take anything for granted.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
CL: It goes by so fast!!! Take advantage of all your free time and use it to make memories with those around you :)
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
CL: I admire volleyball star Tori Hanson :) Tori is a huge competitor and works extremely hard on and off the court. She is also one of the kindest people I know and her determination to succeed is definitely praiseworthy.
CSP: Do you have a final personalized message you'd like to share with cspbears.com readers?
CL: Thank you for all the love and support over the years! I can't wait to cheer on the Golden Bears next year :)
