Eastern Michigan Athletics
Lawrence and Porter Earn Major MAC Lacrosse Honors
5/1/2024 2:49:00 PM | Lacrosse
Duo named Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year, respectively
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Mid-American Conference announced its annual lacrosse awards today, May 1, with the Eastern Michigan University program well represented as Sydney Lawrence was named the 2024 MAC Defensive Player of the Year while Maddie Porter was tabbed the 2024 MAC Freshman of the Year. The duo were two of four individual Eagles that were honored as Mackenzie Blackwell joined Lawrence on the 2024 All-MAC First Team while Porter, a 2024 All-MAC Second Team honoree, was joined by Karly Low on the 2024 MAC All-Freshman Team.
Fabulous Freshman
Although it is just the second year for the EMU program, the Eagles are no strangers to MAC awards as Blackwell (North Beach, Md./Northern) was named the 2023 MAC Freshman of the Year and a member of the 2023 All-MAC Second Team. The award for Porter (Montrose, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) marks back-to-back years the EMU program has produced the top freshman in the conference and the second year in a row the top rookie also earned a place on the league's second team list.
Porter Nabs Three Awards
The only player in the league to garner three accolades and one of only two rookies to earn multiple honors this year, Porter not only was named the 2024 MAC Freshman of the Year and to the 2024 MAC All-Freshman Team, she also earned placement on the 2024 All-MAC Second Team. Porter, who joined Sienna Hinchcliffe of the University of Akron as the only freshmen on the second team, was previously honored April 9 as the MAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Porter finished the regular season as one of the top net-minders in the MAC and one of the top defenders as well as she accumulated 60 ground balls for an average of 4.29 per game, both of which rank first in the NCAA Division I in 2024. She posted three games with eight or more ground balls, including 11 at the University of Detroit Mercy (April 7), a total that ranks tied for the second most in a single game in the NCAA this year.
When it came to her duties in goal, she ranked highly in the MAC as stood third in goals-against average (12.19) and save percentage (.465) while ranking fourth in save per game (9.00) and total saves (126). Her 126 saves, which rank as a single-season record at EMU, came about from several big games, including her 20 save performance at Marquette University (March 17) where she stopped 20 shots, a total that ranks tied for the fourth-most in a single game nationally this year.
Lawrence Does It All
For the first time in program history, an Eagle earned the top defensive honor with Lawrence (Plano, Texas/Plano East/Oregon) earning the award. An all-around contributor who also earned a spot on the 2024 All-MAC First Team, Lawrence finished the regular season ranked second in the MAC with 1.69 caused turnovers per game, an average that also ranked her 34th nationally, as she recorded at least one in 9-of-13 games played this year. Additionally, she set a program record with five caused turnovers twice at the end of the year, including against Xavier University (April 17) and Robert Morris University (April 27). Lawrence also ranked eighth in ground balls at 2.23 per contest and added 15 draw controls, marking back-to-back seasons she has recorded 15+ ground balls, caused turnovers, and draw controls in a season.
While her defensive skills earned her the award, the midfielder made her name known on offense as well as she was one of only four players to rank in the top 10 of the MAC statistical rankings in all three major offensive categories, including eighth in goals (1.92), fourth in assists (1.15), and fifth in points (3.08). Those totals were helped by her 13-point outburst at Youngstown State University, April 21, when she scored eight goals and dished five assists. The 13 points are tied for the most in a single game in MAC history and rank tied for the most in a single game in the NCAA this year.
Mack Moving Up
Blackwell's play in 2024 earned her a spot on the 2024 All-MAC First Team, making her the program's first, two-time all-conference performer after she was named to the second team in 2023. A big reason for her rise to the first team is the rise of her play from her freshman season. Blackwell ended the regular season with 49 goals and an average of 3.27 scores per game, which ranked third in the MAC and 35th nationally. The fourth-highest scoring player among freshmen and sophomores nationally, she scored nine goals at Delaware State University, Feb. 28, to post the second-most goals scored in a game in the NCAA this year and the second-highest total in MAC history. She also scored four game-winning goals, the most among all MAC players.
Along with scoring, Blackwell also was stellar at draw controls where her 6.27 draws per game ranked first in the MAC and 25th nationally while her average also ranked second all-time in MAC history. She recorded double-digit draw controls in four games, including the last two of the regular season as she tallied 16 at YSU and 10 at home against RMU. The 16 draws are tied for the 23rd-most in a single game nationally this year and the fourth-highest in MAC history.
Low On The Rookie List
Low (Owen Sound, Ontario/Owen Sound District Secondary) joined Porter on the 2024 MAC All-Freshman Team as the duo made Eastern one of five schools in the conference to land multiple honorees in the category. Low made an immediate impact as she earned a place in the starting lineup in 13-of-15 games this year and accumulated 18 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers, and one draw control. Her 1.07 caused turnovers per game rank sixth in the MAC and tops among the top freshmen in the category. Low recorded at least one caused turnover in 10-of-15 games played while posting a career-high three against both Butler University and Central Michigan University.
Up Next
The Eagles are set to compete in the 2024 MAC Tournament, which gets underway Thursday, May 2, at the CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex in Mount Pleasant, Mich., with two semifinal games. The third-seed Eagles will face the second-seeded Colonials of Robert Morris in the second semifinal, which is slated to begin at 4 p.m. The first semifinal, which is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, will feature top-seeded Central Michigan University facing fourth-seeded University of Detroit Mercy.
Follow Us
For updates on EMU Lacrosse, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMU_Lacrosse, and Twitter, @EMU_Lacrosse.
2024 MAC Lacrosse All-MAC Teams & Specialty Award Winners
All honors determined by a vote of the conference's head coaches
Offensive Player of the Year: Cat Kopchia, Detroit Mercy
Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Lawrence, Eastern Michigan
Goalkeeper of the Year: Alexa Martel, Central Michigan
Freshman of the Year: Maddie Porter, Eastern Michigan
Coach of the Year: Madeline Dugan, Detroit Mercy
All-MAC First Team
Attack - Skye DePrado, Central Michigan
Attack - Cat Kopchia, Detroit Mercy
Attack - Mackenzie Blackwell, Eastern Michigan
Attack - Jackie Wolford, Kent State
Defender -Jozy Allen, Central Michigan
Defender - Lily Miller, Kent State
Defender - Mackenzie Bell, Robert Morris
Midfielder - Noelle Boyd, Akron
Midfielder - Sydney Lawrence, Eastern Michigan
Midfielder - Zayda Crumpton, Kent State
Midfielder - Jenna Irwin, Robert Morris
Goalkeeper - Alexa Martel, Central Michigan
All-MAC Second Team
Attack - Sienna Hinchcliffe, Akron
Attack - Sadie Hinkle, Central Michigan
Attack - Jordan Anderson, Robert Morris
Defender - Bryanne Harner, Akron
Defender - Avery Wagnon, Central Michigan
Defender - Kiah Nuessgen, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder -Maddy Camm, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder - Leah Bodnar, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder - Alyssa Jarvis, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder - Colleen Tifft, Robert Morris
Midfielder - Sandy Edwards, Central Michigan
Goalkeeper - Maddie Porter, Eastern Michigan
All-Freshman Team
Sienna Hinchliffe, Akron
Ava Regitz, Central Michigan
Natalie DiSanto, Central Michigan
Maddie Porter, Eastern Michigan
Karly Low, Eastern Michigan
Morgan Halli, Kent State
Sydney Davis, Kent State
Jenna Evans, Robert Morris
Isabella Teal, Robert Morris
Lena Cox, Youngstown State
Paige Borkowski, Youngstown State
Katie Grottenhaler, Youngstown State
Fabulous Freshman
Although it is just the second year for the EMU program, the Eagles are no strangers to MAC awards as Blackwell (North Beach, Md./Northern) was named the 2023 MAC Freshman of the Year and a member of the 2023 All-MAC Second Team. The award for Porter (Montrose, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) marks back-to-back years the EMU program has produced the top freshman in the conference and the second year in a row the top rookie also earned a place on the league's second team list.
Porter Nabs Three Awards
The only player in the league to garner three accolades and one of only two rookies to earn multiple honors this year, Porter not only was named the 2024 MAC Freshman of the Year and to the 2024 MAC All-Freshman Team, she also earned placement on the 2024 All-MAC Second Team. Porter, who joined Sienna Hinchcliffe of the University of Akron as the only freshmen on the second team, was previously honored April 9 as the MAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Porter finished the regular season as one of the top net-minders in the MAC and one of the top defenders as well as she accumulated 60 ground balls for an average of 4.29 per game, both of which rank first in the NCAA Division I in 2024. She posted three games with eight or more ground balls, including 11 at the University of Detroit Mercy (April 7), a total that ranks tied for the second most in a single game in the NCAA this year.
When it came to her duties in goal, she ranked highly in the MAC as stood third in goals-against average (12.19) and save percentage (.465) while ranking fourth in save per game (9.00) and total saves (126). Her 126 saves, which rank as a single-season record at EMU, came about from several big games, including her 20 save performance at Marquette University (March 17) where she stopped 20 shots, a total that ranks tied for the fourth-most in a single game nationally this year.
Lawrence Does It All
For the first time in program history, an Eagle earned the top defensive honor with Lawrence (Plano, Texas/Plano East/Oregon) earning the award. An all-around contributor who also earned a spot on the 2024 All-MAC First Team, Lawrence finished the regular season ranked second in the MAC with 1.69 caused turnovers per game, an average that also ranked her 34th nationally, as she recorded at least one in 9-of-13 games played this year. Additionally, she set a program record with five caused turnovers twice at the end of the year, including against Xavier University (April 17) and Robert Morris University (April 27). Lawrence also ranked eighth in ground balls at 2.23 per contest and added 15 draw controls, marking back-to-back seasons she has recorded 15+ ground balls, caused turnovers, and draw controls in a season.
While her defensive skills earned her the award, the midfielder made her name known on offense as well as she was one of only four players to rank in the top 10 of the MAC statistical rankings in all three major offensive categories, including eighth in goals (1.92), fourth in assists (1.15), and fifth in points (3.08). Those totals were helped by her 13-point outburst at Youngstown State University, April 21, when she scored eight goals and dished five assists. The 13 points are tied for the most in a single game in MAC history and rank tied for the most in a single game in the NCAA this year.
Mack Moving Up
Blackwell's play in 2024 earned her a spot on the 2024 All-MAC First Team, making her the program's first, two-time all-conference performer after she was named to the second team in 2023. A big reason for her rise to the first team is the rise of her play from her freshman season. Blackwell ended the regular season with 49 goals and an average of 3.27 scores per game, which ranked third in the MAC and 35th nationally. The fourth-highest scoring player among freshmen and sophomores nationally, she scored nine goals at Delaware State University, Feb. 28, to post the second-most goals scored in a game in the NCAA this year and the second-highest total in MAC history. She also scored four game-winning goals, the most among all MAC players.
Along with scoring, Blackwell also was stellar at draw controls where her 6.27 draws per game ranked first in the MAC and 25th nationally while her average also ranked second all-time in MAC history. She recorded double-digit draw controls in four games, including the last two of the regular season as she tallied 16 at YSU and 10 at home against RMU. The 16 draws are tied for the 23rd-most in a single game nationally this year and the fourth-highest in MAC history.
Low On The Rookie List
Low (Owen Sound, Ontario/Owen Sound District Secondary) joined Porter on the 2024 MAC All-Freshman Team as the duo made Eastern one of five schools in the conference to land multiple honorees in the category. Low made an immediate impact as she earned a place in the starting lineup in 13-of-15 games this year and accumulated 18 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers, and one draw control. Her 1.07 caused turnovers per game rank sixth in the MAC and tops among the top freshmen in the category. Low recorded at least one caused turnover in 10-of-15 games played while posting a career-high three against both Butler University and Central Michigan University.
Up Next
The Eagles are set to compete in the 2024 MAC Tournament, which gets underway Thursday, May 2, at the CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex in Mount Pleasant, Mich., with two semifinal games. The third-seed Eagles will face the second-seeded Colonials of Robert Morris in the second semifinal, which is slated to begin at 4 p.m. The first semifinal, which is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, will feature top-seeded Central Michigan University facing fourth-seeded University of Detroit Mercy.
Follow Us
For updates on EMU Lacrosse, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMU_Lacrosse, and Twitter, @EMU_Lacrosse.
2024 MAC Lacrosse All-MAC Teams & Specialty Award Winners
All honors determined by a vote of the conference's head coaches
Offensive Player of the Year: Cat Kopchia, Detroit Mercy
Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Lawrence, Eastern Michigan
Goalkeeper of the Year: Alexa Martel, Central Michigan
Freshman of the Year: Maddie Porter, Eastern Michigan
Coach of the Year: Madeline Dugan, Detroit Mercy
All-MAC First Team
Attack - Skye DePrado, Central Michigan
Attack - Cat Kopchia, Detroit Mercy
Attack - Mackenzie Blackwell, Eastern Michigan
Attack - Jackie Wolford, Kent State
Defender -Jozy Allen, Central Michigan
Defender - Lily Miller, Kent State
Defender - Mackenzie Bell, Robert Morris
Midfielder - Noelle Boyd, Akron
Midfielder - Sydney Lawrence, Eastern Michigan
Midfielder - Zayda Crumpton, Kent State
Midfielder - Jenna Irwin, Robert Morris
Goalkeeper - Alexa Martel, Central Michigan
All-MAC Second Team
Attack - Sienna Hinchcliffe, Akron
Attack - Sadie Hinkle, Central Michigan
Attack - Jordan Anderson, Robert Morris
Defender - Bryanne Harner, Akron
Defender - Avery Wagnon, Central Michigan
Defender - Kiah Nuessgen, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder -Maddy Camm, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder - Leah Bodnar, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder - Alyssa Jarvis, Detroit Mercy
Midfielder - Colleen Tifft, Robert Morris
Midfielder - Sandy Edwards, Central Michigan
Goalkeeper - Maddie Porter, Eastern Michigan
All-Freshman Team
Sienna Hinchliffe, Akron
Ava Regitz, Central Michigan
Natalie DiSanto, Central Michigan
Maddie Porter, Eastern Michigan
Karly Low, Eastern Michigan
Morgan Halli, Kent State
Sydney Davis, Kent State
Jenna Evans, Robert Morris
Isabella Teal, Robert Morris
Lena Cox, Youngstown State
Paige Borkowski, Youngstown State
Katie Grottenhaler, Youngstown State
Players Mentioned
M
/ Lacrosse
M
/ Lacrosse
G
/ LacrosseLacrosse Updates EMU's Championship Trophy
Friday, May 02
Lacrosse Falls to Marquette on Senior Day
Friday, April 25
EMU Defeats Akron, 16-12, to Punch Ticket to MAC Tournament
Sunday, April 20
Ainsley McLain Talks about Pediatric Cancer
Tuesday, April 08