The Linfield women's lacrosse team is gearing up for the 2025 season with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. After finishing the 2024 season with a 6-9 overall record and a 4-8 conference record, the Wildcats are determined to make strides in the new-look Northwest Conference. With Lewis & Clark and Pacific Lutheran becoming full conference members this season, the NWC now has nine participating teams for the first time in its history. With a roster that retains several key players from last year and a schedule that includes a trip to North Carolina in the non-conference matchups and crucial conference games, the Wildcats are poised to make noise throughout the 2025 season.
 
Key Returners
The Wildcats return a core group of players who were instrumental in the team's performance last season. Leading the charge is Gabby Crist, a junior midfielder and an All-NWC second team selection who was the team's top scorer in 2024. Crist tallied 47 goals and 19 assists, finishing the season with 66 points. Her ability to control the midfield and contribute on both ends of the field will be crucial for Linfield's success this year. Crist also led the team in ground balls (42) and draw controls (33), showcasing her versatility and importance to the team.
 
Another key returner is Savannah Irwin, a junior who finished the 2024 season with 21 goals and 19 assists. Irwin's playmaking ability and knack for finding the back of the net make her a vital part of Linfield's offensive attack.
 
On the defensive end, Mackenzie Kulick returns for her senior season after a strong 2024 campaign where she was selected to the All-NWC second team. Kulick, a defender, scored 34 goals and added one assist, but her real impact was felt on the defensive side of the ball. Her leadership and defensive prowess will be critical as Linfield looks to improve on last year's performance.
 
Madison De La Trinidad returns after being selected to the All-NWC first team in 2024 as a defender. The sophomore led the entire conference in ground balls per game with 3.19 and her development in crucial to Linfield's success.
 
Maya Wright, a senior midfielder/attacker, returns looking to leave her mark. Wright scored 18 goals and added 16 assists a season ago. She was also a key contributor in the draw circle, securing 38 draw controls, the second-highest on the team. Wright's experience and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game will be invaluable for the Wildcats.
 
In goal, Tenley Hodge returns for her junior season while Caity Babcock comes back for her senior season. Hodge started all 15 games last year, recording 131 saves and a .381 save percentage. Babcock sat out the 2024 season due to injury but looks to make a significant impact in her final campaign.
 
Newcomers to Watch
The Wildcats also welcome several newcomers who could make an immediate impact. Evelyn Cross, a freshman attacker from San Diego, California, joins the team after a standout high school career at Monte Vista. Cross's offensive skills and ability to finish around the net could provide a boost to Linfield's attack.
 
Another freshman to watch is Emma Baker, a defender from San Diego, California. Baker's defensive instincts and athleticism could help shore up Linfield's backline, which will be crucial as the team looks to improve its defensive numbers from last season.
 
2025 Schedule: A Mix of Challenges and Opportunities
The Wildcats' 2025 schedule features a mix of contests that will test the team early and often. The season kicks off with a road trip to North Carolina where it will play two games against Methodist and Brevard. These early-season games will provide the Wildcats with an opportunity to fine-tune their game before diving into conference play.
 
Linfield's home opener is set for February 22 against Pacific, a team they swept in two matchups last season. This will be an important early-season test as the Wildcats look to establish themselves as a contender in the NWC.
 
Conference play heats up in April, with the first counting conference game coming against Pacific on April 2.
 
Linfield's first ever conference game against Pacific Lutheran comes on the road on April 6 while the first conference game against Lewis & Clark is on April 16.
 
The regular season concludes with a home game against George Fox on April 26 and a road game against Willamette on April 27. These final games could have significant implications for the NWC Tournament, which begins on May 3.
 
Areas for Improvement
While the Wildcats showed flashes of brilliance last season, there are areas where they will need to improve in order to compete for a conference title. According to fourth-year coach Sarah Dalsey, the areas for improvement include the Wildcats' transition game and consistency.
 
"We'd like to see more consistency," said Dalsey. "A place that we have been working a lot on is our transition, just having a little bit more composure and making smarter decisions under pressure."
 
A Promising Season Ahead
The 2025 season holds plenty of promise for the Linfield women's lacrosse team. With a strong core of returning players and some exciting newcomers, the Wildcats have the talent to compete in the NWC. The schedule provides both challenges and opportunities, and if the team can draw upon last season's experience and pair it with improvements made over the offseason, the Wildcats should see even more success this year.
 
All of Linfield's home games can be streamed on the Linfield Sports Network.