Culver-Stockton College’s Women’s Lacrosse team enjoyed its best season to date, marking a significant achievement in the program’s history. The Wildcats made their first-ever appearance in the conference championship game, thanks to stellar performances from players like sophomore health science major Mia Naughton, an attacker, and freshman nursing major Maddie Jones, a defender. The team’s success can be attributed to their strong team chemistry, resilience, and outstanding leadership from coaches Caitlin Erickson and Madison Reed.
The Wildcats’ breakthrough season was built on a foundation of hard work, determination, and a focus on team unity. According to Naughton, who helped lead the offense, the team’s bond was crucial in achieving their success. “The amount of practice we put in and the bond we created over the fall term made a huge difference,” she said. “We all got closer as a team, and that chemistry showed on the field.”
Freshman defender Maddie Jones, who earned Second Team All-Conference honors in her debut season, also highlighted the importance of team chemistry. “We had a large freshman class this year, and it was tough at first, but we bonded in the offseason,” she explained. “Having individual bonding time, like our ‘cat in a cub’ groups, and team activities helped us break down barriers and build stronger connections.”
A key to the Wildcats’ success was the coaching duo of Erickson and Reed. With Reed in her second year and Erickson in her first season as head coach, the two brought complementary styles to the team. “Coach Reed has a unique ability to connect with us on a personal level, and Coach Erickson pushes us to do our best,” Naughton explained. “Their balance is what kept us going through the tough times.”
Erickson’s leadership was instrumental in shaping the team’s mindset. She acknowledged the team’s mental resilience as a critical factor in their success. “There were tough moments, especially with injuries and fatigue, but we kept each other up and stayed focused,” Erickson said. “That’s what kept us fighting even when things got hard.”
Looking ahead, the Wildcats are eager to build on this historic season. With a solid foundation of returning players and a strong recruiting class on the way, they are focused on continuing their upward trajectory. Coach Reed echoed this sentiment, saying, “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we’re not content. We want this to be the start of something bigger, and we’re ready to come back even stronger next season.”
As the team celebrates its success, they’re already preparing for next year with one goal in mind: to defend their conference title and make even more noise on the national stage. “We want to make this an annual thing,” said Reed. “We’re building something special, and we’re just getting started.”
