Eastern Michigan Athletics
Blackwell Named MAC Lacrosse Freshman of the Year
5/3/2023 11:00:00 AM | Lacrosse
Freshman led the league in draw controls while topping the freshman scoring charts
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Mid-American Conference announced its annual lacrosse honors today, May 3, with Eastern Michigan University rookie Mackenzie Blackwell (North Beach, Md.-Northern) selected as the 2023 MAC Freshman of the Year in vote of the league's coaches. Blackwell, who led the Eagles in most statistical categories in their inaugural season, also was named Second Team All-MAC.
Blackwell was the top freshman in the MAC this year in almost every statistical category and ranked highly in the MAC among all players as well. A starter in all 16 games this year, Blackwell led the MAC in total draw controls with 83 while her 5.19 per game average ranked second overall and among the Top 50 in the nation. When looking at conference only statistics, her 6.13 draw controls and 49 total rank first among all players.
Offensively, her 2.44 goals per game rank seventh overall in the MAC while her 5.50 shots per contest sat eighth and she ranked sixth in scoring (3.00 goals/game) in MAC games only. When comparing her to other first-year players in the MAC, Blackwell led the rookies in five categories, including goals (39), points (41), shots (88), shots on goals (70), and draw controls (83), while ranking second in free-position goals scored (7).
For her team, Blackwell recorded multiple goals in 12-of-16 games played this year and posted seven hat tricks as well. She scored six goals against Central Michigan, April 5, to set the single-game record for goals at EMU and tie for the fifth-most in a game this year among all MAC players.
The Eagles recently capped their inaugural season with a 17-12 home victory over the University of Detroit Mercy, April 29, to capture their first conference victory, and finish the season 2-14 overall and 1-7 in league play.
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2023 Lacrosse All-MAC Teams & Specialty Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Year: Jackie Wolford, Kent State
Defensive Player of the Year: Kathleen Kelly, Robert Morris
Goalkeeper of the Year: Madison Flannigan, Kent State
Freshman of the Year: Mackenzie Blackwell, Eastern Michigan
Coach of the Year: Brianne Tierney, Kent State
All-MAC First Team
Midfielder – Audrey Whiteside, Central Michigan
Midfielder – Colleen Tifft, Robert Morris
Midfielder – Chelsea Coleman, Robert Morris
Attack – Kelly Hoyt, Central Michigan
Attack – Maggie Diebold, Central Michigan
Attack – Kenzie Sklar, Kent State
Attack – Jackie Wolford, Kent State
Defender – Hailie Moore, Central Michigan
Defender – Lily Miller, Kent State
Defender – Kathleen Kelly, Robert Morris
Defender -- Mackenzie Bell, Robert Morris
Goalkeeper – Madison Flannigan, Kent State
All-MAC Second Team
Midfielder – Kendall Hoyt, Central Michigan
Midfielder -- Leah Bodnar, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder – Zayda Crumpton, Kent State
Midfielder – Jordan Anderson, Robert Morris
Attack – Mackenzie Blackwell, Eastern Michigan
Attack – Natalie Calandra-Ryan, Youngstown State
Attack – Ali Korin, Youngstown State
Attack – Erin Clark, Youngstown State
Defender – Jozy Allen, Central Michigan
Defender – Allison Kortowich, Kent State
Defender – Aryss Lindsey, Youngstown
Goalkeeper – Alexa Martel, Central Michigan
Blackwell was the top freshman in the MAC this year in almost every statistical category and ranked highly in the MAC among all players as well. A starter in all 16 games this year, Blackwell led the MAC in total draw controls with 83 while her 5.19 per game average ranked second overall and among the Top 50 in the nation. When looking at conference only statistics, her 6.13 draw controls and 49 total rank first among all players.
Offensively, her 2.44 goals per game rank seventh overall in the MAC while her 5.50 shots per contest sat eighth and she ranked sixth in scoring (3.00 goals/game) in MAC games only. When comparing her to other first-year players in the MAC, Blackwell led the rookies in five categories, including goals (39), points (41), shots (88), shots on goals (70), and draw controls (83), while ranking second in free-position goals scored (7).
For her team, Blackwell recorded multiple goals in 12-of-16 games played this year and posted seven hat tricks as well. She scored six goals against Central Michigan, April 5, to set the single-game record for goals at EMU and tie for the fifth-most in a game this year among all MAC players.
The Eagles recently capped their inaugural season with a 17-12 home victory over the University of Detroit Mercy, April 29, to capture their first conference victory, and finish the season 2-14 overall and 1-7 in league play.
Follow Us
For updates on EMU Lacrosse, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMU_Lacrosse, and Twitter, @EMU_Lacrosse.
2023 Lacrosse All-MAC Teams & Specialty Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Year: Jackie Wolford, Kent State
Defensive Player of the Year: Kathleen Kelly, Robert Morris
Goalkeeper of the Year: Madison Flannigan, Kent State
Freshman of the Year: Mackenzie Blackwell, Eastern Michigan
Coach of the Year: Brianne Tierney, Kent State
All-MAC First Team
Midfielder – Audrey Whiteside, Central Michigan
Midfielder – Colleen Tifft, Robert Morris
Midfielder – Chelsea Coleman, Robert Morris
Attack – Kelly Hoyt, Central Michigan
Attack – Maggie Diebold, Central Michigan
Attack – Kenzie Sklar, Kent State
Attack – Jackie Wolford, Kent State
Defender – Hailie Moore, Central Michigan
Defender – Lily Miller, Kent State
Defender – Kathleen Kelly, Robert Morris
Defender -- Mackenzie Bell, Robert Morris
Goalkeeper – Madison Flannigan, Kent State
All-MAC Second Team
Midfielder – Kendall Hoyt, Central Michigan
Midfielder -- Leah Bodnar, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder – Zayda Crumpton, Kent State
Midfielder – Jordan Anderson, Robert Morris
Attack – Mackenzie Blackwell, Eastern Michigan
Attack – Natalie Calandra-Ryan, Youngstown State
Attack – Ali Korin, Youngstown State
Attack – Erin Clark, Youngstown State
Defender – Jozy Allen, Central Michigan
Defender – Allison Kortowich, Kent State
Defender – Aryss Lindsey, Youngstown
Goalkeeper – Alexa Martel, Central Michigan
Players Mentioned
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