ST. PAUL, Minn. – This weekend, #22 Concordia-St. Paul women's lacrosse opens the season with a pair of road games against regional competition, starting with a Saturday tilt at #6 Indianapolis at 11 a.m. followed by a trip to Romeoville, Illinois to face Lewis University on Sunday at noon.
 
WEEKEND TICKET POLICIES
The University of Indianapolis is not allowing outside spectators at this time for Saturday's game while Lewis University is allowing spectators, free of charge, to attend Sunday's lacrosse game against Concordia. In order to attend, spectators will be asked to complete a screening form on-site.
 
FOLLOW ONLINE
This weekend's games will both be streamed online as part of the GLVC Sports Network, which can be searched on many app providers such as Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV and Android TV as well as by searching for the mobile app by searching for GLVCSN. Games are free of charge to watch, and live stats are also available in the app or by visiting the CSP Bears schedule and results online. https://www.glvcsn.com/
 
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Concordia-St. Paul has been ranked #16 by the Nike / US Lacrosse Division II Preseason Top-20 poll and #22 in the IWLCA Division II Preseason Coaches' Top-25 poll. They'll face a UIndy squad that is ranked #6 by the IWLCA and #5 by Nike / US Lacrosse. The Greyhounds were also picked second in the GLVC with 45 points and three first place votes, just two points behind Lindenwood and ahead of Lewis, who was picked fifth in the eight team conference.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UIndy 5, CSP 0 | CSP 2, Lewis 0
The Golden Bears have tangled with the Greyhounds five times in the all-time series, most recently dropping a GLIAC Tournament semifinal 21-3 on the road in 2019 when UIndy was still a league member. Earlier that same season, the Golden Bears had their closest matchup with the Greyhounds, falling 16-11 at Sea Foam Stadium and were within range in an 18-10 loss in a 2018 meeting at Sea Foam Stadium as well. This marks the third trip for the program to Indianapolis where CSP has yet to score more than six and has yet to allow less than 21 on UIndy's home turf.
 
Against Lewis, CSP is 2-0 with a 17-8 road win in 2019 before last year's 20-6 win in the Concordia Dome in February prior to the shutdown. This marks the team's second trip to Romeoville, Illinois.
 
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK – GOLDEN BEARS FACED WITH REPLACING FIRST FULL SENIOR CLASS
Concordia enters the 2021 season on the heels of graduating its first full recruiting class last spring, with two exceptions as senior goalie Katie Lottsfeldt returns to utilize her additional year of eligibility due to NCAA COVID-19 policies while senior midfielder Katie Moynihan still had initial eligibility following a medical redshirt earlier in her career.
 
The Golden Bears had six key contributors graduate last season including its two all-time scoring leaders in Alina Boyce and Maddie Hentges who were joined on the attack by Kaci Reid and three defensive starters Cassidy Leininger, Kylie Christensen and Sara Stickler.
 
"Our seniors last year were spectacular. They were a special piece of what this program is today and the legacy that they left will be long lasting," said head coach Joe Nelson, who enters his second year leading the program. "On the attack side, we lose our top-2 all-time scoring leaders in Maddie and Alina and what they brought to the field is irreplaceable. Defensively, that unit was absolutely incredible, a top-5 defense in the nation. Their overall relationships, the unity that they had was special to be part of and hard to build."
 
Coach Nelson isn't trying to simply fill the void from his senior class, either, and recognizes that it will take a fresh approach and strategy aimed at a new style of production to be successful without the skill and experience of the group that graduated.
 
The team welcomes eight newcomers to the roster and two more who have yet to make their on-field debut following redshirt seasons.
 
"Offensively, we've developed a strategy to be more inclusive and won't be relying on a couple of players for production, which we feel will make us more dynamic. We have more impact players on offense than in the past because we have more players taking responsibility and ownership because of the opportunity available. We will miss Alina and Maddie, but overall our goal is for the offense to continue to be stronger than last year," said Nelson.
 
He continued, "Defensively, we feel great because we have our super senior goalie in 'Lotts' (Katie Lottsfeldt) and she brings an edge you don't see in a lot of goalies. Her communication and leadership are second to none and she's like a fourth coach out there. She's been instrumental in helping newcomers like transfer Maki Jenner by teaching the system and how we communicate and are vocal defensively. Maia Hodgins was a freshman starter last year and is a lynchpin in the defense. We've moved Alexis (Lexi Stanley) and Val (Valerie Bragg) back to being close defense, and though we lost seniors who were veteran 4-year starters, we didn't lose all of our veteran knowledge and expertise on the field. We've made some personnel modifications and general defensive game strategy improvements."
 
2020 MOMENTUM SPARKS 2021 SEASON
The Golden Bears' fourth season as an NCAA Division II women's lacrosse program continued to see groundbreaking firsts as the team looked for new heights in 2020. The team produced its best start to a season by winning its first four games which also extended its home winning streak to a record five games which remains intact entering 2021. The team beat its first ranked opponent, a convincing 15-4 win over Colorado Mesa in the Concordia Dome.
 
The big breakthroughs pushed CSP to its first-ever national ranking, ending 2020 #25 in the IWLCA Division II Coaches Poll while being ranked three weeks in a row in the Nike / US Lacrosse Poll (#16, #14, #16).
 
The season ended with a thrilling 11-10 overtime win at Florida Tech, a team that would later become ranked before the season ended unexpectedly due to COVID-19.
 
"That win against Florida Tech was our launching pad. We had just come off a tough loss to Regis to start our spring trip and had a tough loss at Tampa, but we rebounded against Florida Tech. That was the momentum shift and the high that I hope our returning players really feel," said Nelson.
 
He continued, "We played as a collective unit on offense and defense and had such a great flow, there was so much positivity, surge and energy from that win. We were clicking with our camaraderie and trust in each other."
 
It hasn't been forgetting by Nelson, whose energy and enthusiasm are evident at all times. "This team is talented and has a tremendous opportunity in front of them. It comes down belief. Belief in themselves, their new teammates and belief in the structure and strategy that we have put in place. We have the opportunity to defend our national ranking and further cement the reason why we are a top contender, not only in the conference but also in the nation."
 
While Nelson is excited about the program arriving to the point where it has now been ranked nationally in two consecutive seasons, he also sees the challenges that come along with competing in athletics in a global pandemic, and his awareness has filtered into taking it as an opportunity.
 
"In years past, newer programs struggle to knock off the established teams who are highly ranked like Lindenwood, Grand Valley and Indianapolis. But this year, every game is now anyone's game. Not to be too cliché, but this year it's more of an 'Any Given Sunday' approach, having belief in that alone can be the surge for anyone to be successful. Everyone is dealing with COVID-19 – testing policies, quarantine, players in and out of practice and missing class, more restrictive travel procedures, etc. We as a team need to realized that, and we have to show up and put our best foot forward."
 
TOUGH SCHEDULE AHEAD
While the Golden Bears enter the 2021 season ranked, they'll have that challenged right away, facing the #6 Indianapolis Greyhounds on the road in the season opener. Two of the team's first three games are against the nation's best, as they'll host #2 Lindenwood in the home opener on March 6 at the Concordia Dome. The Lions are picked as GLVC favorites ahead of Indianapolis and received more first place votes (10) than any other program in the IWLCA Top-25, only edged out by one overall point by Adelphi (587-586). The Lions finished last year ranked fifth in the country while the Greyhounds were sixth.
 
"We structured our schedule to go out and have competitive games so we could expose our weaknesses and work on them before conference play," Nelson explained. "This is a chance to identify who our players are and what our chemistry is as opposed to finding out that equation in conference when it matters the most. These are also strong region games, and we will consistently play the top teams in our region like UIndy, Lindenwood, Regis and others so we know exactly where we need to excel and what we need for years to come."
 
In GLIAC play, CSP back-to-back road games at #11 Grand Valley State in GLIAC play after the Lakers finished #10 in the country in 2020. The GLIAC is expected to release the conference preseason poll prior to the start of conference play.
 
MEET THE TEAM: IN THE NET
The Golden Bears feature three talented and dynamic goalkeepers led by fifth year starter Katie Lottsfeldt, while senior Claire Hagen remains a force in the program and freshman newcomer Maddy Huebner appears poised to make an impact.
 
Lottsfeldt was off to one of the best starts in the country before the season was shut down, ranking 14^th in the country with a 8.09 goals against average and 17^th with a .500 save percentage. She's played 56 career games, racked up 436 saves and registered a 27-26 won-loss record including 14-9 over the previous two seasons. Her GAA and save percentage were the best of her career in 2020.
 
"She is resilient and has a very unorthodox style of play and that is why she is unique. She is an 8^th defender on the field, she loves to incorporate herself into slide packages and her ability to make SportsCenter Top-10 saves is something I've never seen before. In addition to making the most acrobatic saves out of a goalie I've seen in a long time, she's the vocal leader of our defense."

She's consistently shared the net with teammate Claire Hagen, now a senior and three year competitor in the program. Hagen has played in 24 games with nearly 700 minutes of game experience and the past two years has had 7.41 and 7.49 goals against averages and save percentages of .455 and .464 while holding a 4-0 career won-loss record.
 
True freshman Maddy Huebner joins the mix from Buffalo, Minnesota where she has been an All-State performer helping the Bison to three Lake Conference championships and held a .720 save percentage.
 
"Claire is an amazing left handed goaltender who is very consistent in her saves and has extremely fast hands. Maddy is a future star and is one of the best goalies from Minnesota. If the season played out, she was a favorite for the Ms. Goalie award in the state, in my opinion. She is a brick wall, and will need some time to mature and understand the pace of play at this level while learning to take over a defense vocally. She will be incredible in the pipes."
 
MEET THE TEAM: DEFENSE
In front of a deep and talented goalie position is the defensive unit, which features the most turnover on the roster in terms of playing time and games started from the 2020 to 2021 season. Last year's defensive squad ended the year ranked sixth in the country in caused turnovers per game (13.71), ninth in ground balls (25.0) and 16^th in scoring defense, allowing 8.0 goals per game.
 
"We are gritty defensively, I want everyone to know that we are the grittiest defense."
 
The unit is led by senior Lexi Stanley who was leading the GLIAC with 13 caused turnovers, was second with 17 ground balls and fourth with 32 draw controls in seven games. She holds the program record for career draw controls (109) and caused turnovers (57) and is second with 91 ground balls despite playing in just 35 games.
 
"Lex is a ground ball machine and she has a motor – she doesn't stop and is tenacious," said Nelson. "If the ball is on the ground and she's in the vicinity, it's hers – she's the winner. The big goal for her this year is to lead the team and conference in grounds balls."
 
She's joined by returning sophomore starter Maia Hodgins who played in all seven games and made three starts last year as a true freshmen alongside a senior-heavy group that also featured Stanley.
 
"Maia is solid, she's a silent leader and a shutdown defender who won't get beat 1v1."
 
Transfers Maki Jenner, a redshirt freshman and Valerie Bragg, a senior, bolster the back-end. Jenner is a Division I transfer from Denver where she redshirted and retained her full four seasons of eligibility for the Golden Bears while Bragg joined CSP last season and came off the bench in all seven games.
 
"Maki is solid, astute, has a high lacrosse IQ and good vision to see the field very well. She makes plays because she recognizes what the offense is doing before the offense knows what they're doing," Nelson stated with a grin. "Val Bragg has big personality and is an enthusiastic, vocal and loud member of the defense. She's a former soccer player so her footwork and agility to move laterally is second to none."
 
Other contributors to the roster defensively include junior Miciah Mills who has previously been an athlete for the cross country and track & field programs, sophomore Emma Hanson and freshman India Lange.
 
MEET THE TEAM: MIDFIELDERS
Like the goalie position, the Golden Bears didn't lose any contributors to this position group, only bolstering it further as the program continues to build and grow. The unit features sisters Katie Moynihan and Molly Moynihan, senior Margot Coomes, junior Mary Keating and sophomore Taya Schubert as returning standouts.
 
The Moynihans each started six of the seven games, while Keating and Coomes had a start apiece and Schubert was a key reserve in all seven contests.
 
"They just know each other. Those five five mids just know where each other play, they have such great chemistry on the field and some have played together since high school. They really leverage each others' strengths and are super comfortable out there. Their skills compliment each other, some are great cutters and some are great divers."
 
Katie Moynihan, a senior, was third on the team with 12 goals while Keating was fifth in points with 11 including nine goals, Coomes had eight goals for nine points and Molly Moynihan, a sophomore, also had nine points off of seven goals. They all contributed in the field position game with solid ground ball and draw control numbers, as well. Schubert added six points (4g, 2a) off the bench to go with eight ground balls in her rookie season.
 
The group will be bolstered by freshman Hailey Hartlage from Rogers, Minnesota where she was an All-Section First Team performer and helped the Royals to a Northwest Suburban Conference title. "Hailey is a defensive midfielder, and a player to watch as we have high expectations for her."
 
Other players factoring into the midfield rotation include sophomores Coco Lysek and Nicole Kuhn and freshmen Lily Walesheck and Ashton Utsey. Kuhn started six games last year, registering seven points with nine ground balls and five turnovers while Lysek saw action in four games as a true freshman.
 
MEET THE TEAM: ATTACK
"Our offense is a fluid, motion offense that will control the pace of the game through possessions," Nelson commented on his team's offensive identity.
 
While the Golden Bears lose their top scorers (points, goals, assists) in program history, they still return their second-leading scorer from a year ago in senior Sarah Pierson, who found the net 16 times in seven games.
 
"Sarah Pierson is an ace inside the 8-meter. She makes a lot of catches and a lot of plays inside the 8 that a lot of players can't do, and she's unique in her playing style," said Nelson.
 
The unit features experience with senior Lex Seifert and junior Sara McNicoll. Pierson is in her second year in the program after transferring from St. Leo while McNicoll is in her third year and is a transfer from Embry-Riddle. Seifert is a four year contributor who led the team with nine assists last season, accounting for 12 points. McNicoll is no stranger to assists, either, producing a team record 20 assist season in 2019. Junior Erica Peterson continues to provide depth and experience at the position, having registered 22 points across 25 career games with 13 goals scored
 
"Our other three offensive starters are building chemistry and field identity. They are patient, unselfish with the ball and love team play. They are thriving in our team-play style right now."
 
Redshirt freshman Ellie Fedorowski is poised to make her debut in 2021 after using her redshirt season last year. "Ellie has lightning speed, is a great cutter and sees the field very well. She uses her speed, vision and cutting ability to create confusion for the defense which creates space for teammates to leverage their strengths."
 
Fedorowski isn't the only redshirt freshman at the spot, as Julia Monson and Madyson Fowler boost the position further. The additional year of training and experience in a college program will serve the squad well heading into 2021.