CAA Women’s Lacrosse Weekly Awards – April 21, 2025
Dylan Smith
RICHMOND, Va. – Hofstra’s
Nikki Mennella captured her league-leading fifth CAA Offensive Player of the Week following an 11-point showing over the weekend. Stony Brook’s
Natalia Altebrando and Elon’s
Caitlin Walsh secured Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors and the Phoenix’s Lillian Austin earned Rookie of the Week on Monday.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nikki Mennella, Hofstra
Redshirt Sophomore | Attacker | Smithtown, N.Y.
Mennella notched a career-high 11-point effort against Monmouth over the weekend, scoring a league-high eight goals, including the game-winner, to go with three assists in the contest. Her points and goals total were the third-most in an NCAA Division I game this season. The Smithtown, N.Y., native’s 11 points were a program record and ranked fourth-most in a game in CAA history. Her eight tallies also produced top-five marks in the league record book, marking the fifth-most in a game in CAA history. Mennella also added a team-high four draw controls in the game.
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Caitlin Walsh, Elon
Junior | Goalkeeper | Summit, N.J.
Walsh anchored the Elon defense with six crucial saves and a .429 save percentage in a 16-8 victory over Towson. The Summit, N.J., native also added three ground balls in a strong showing. The junior goalkeeper also managed to keep the Tigers off the board throughout the third quarter, allowing the Phoenix to produce seven unanswered goals.
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Natalia Altebrando, Stony Brook
Sophomore | Goalkeeper | Miller Place, N.Y.
Altebrando led the Seawolves to a dominant 17-13 victory over No. 21 Drexel with a career-high nine-save performance. The Stony Brook goalkeeper faced 30 total shot attempts from the Dragons, while notching a ground ball and a caused turnover to help the Seawolves clinch the No. 1 seed in the CAA Championship and remain undefeated (7-0) in league play.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Lillian Austin, Elon
Freshman | Attacker | Topsail Beach, N.C.
Austin unleashed a six-point performance to propel Elon past Towson. The freshman attacker tallied a goal and a season-high five assists to power the Phoenix offense and clinch a spot in the 2025 CAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship. Of the five helpers, three of Austin’s assists came during Elon’s seven-goal third quarter.
2025 CAA WOMEN’S LACROSSE WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Kristen Redding, Hofstra/Kate Draddy, William & Mary
Feb. 17: Nikki Mennella, Hofstra
Feb. 24: Nikki Mennella, Hofstra
March 3: Bridget Finley, Drexel
March 10: Nikki Mennella, Hofstra
March 17: Anna Maria Gragnani, Drexel
March 24: Riley McDonald, Stony Brook
March 31: Charlotte Wilmoth, Stony Brook
April 7: Nikki Mennella, Hofstra
April 14: Charlotte Wilmoth, Stony Brook
April 21: Nikki Mennella, Hofstra
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Marin Wilhelm, William & Mary
Feb. 17: Christine Dannenfelser, Hofstra
Feb. 24: Avery Hines, Stony Brook
March 3: Erin Gormley, Delaware/Kate Quinn, Drexel
March 10: Christine Dannenfelser, Hofstra/Avery Hines, Stony Brook
March 17: Steph Marszal, Delaware/Reagan Kuehn, Elon
March 24: Jenika Cuocco, Drexel/Avery Hines, Stony Brook
March 31: Avery Hines, Stony Brook
April 7: Erin Gormley, Delaware/Avery Hines, Stony Brook
April 14: Avery Hines, Stony Brook
April 21: Caitlin Walsh, Elon/Natalia Altebrando, Stony Brook
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Feb. 10: Kayleigh Bender, Hofstra
Feb. 17: Jenna Cardeno, Towson
Feb. 24: Jenna Cardeno, Towson
March 3: Lena Stolarick, Delaware
March 10: Alexis Savage, William & Mary
March 17: Jenna Cardeno, Towson
March 24: Danielle Swietoniowski, Elon
March 31: Lillian Austin, Elon/Julia Fusco, Stony Brook
April 7: Jenna Cardeno, Towson
April 14: Kayleigh Bender, Hofstra
April 21: Lillian Austin, Elon