Missouri Western lacrosse releases inaugural roster

  ST. JOSEPH – The inaugural season for Missouri Western women's lacrosse will come in February, 2021 and head coach Rachel Benzing has navigated through challenging times on the recruiting path to assemble an impressive roster for her first-year program.

As of this release date, Benzing had signed 24 student-athletes to national letters of intent to be a part of the first-ever MWSU women's lacrosse team. Benzing has assembled a diverse mixture of first-year collegiate student-athletes and transfers. The current roster hails from 11 different U.S. states with one from Canada.

The Griffons will compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference as an associate member. A schedule for the inaugural season is set to be released in the coming weeks.

#1 | Amani Robinson | R-So. | Midfielder | 5-4 | McDonough, Ga. | Shorter University
Benzing: "Amani brings speed and raw athleticism to this inaugural group. Her work ethic, dedication, and maturity will elevate those around her and make her an impact player on both ends of the field."

#2 | Jazmine Servance | Fr. | Defender/Midfielder | 5-9 | Baltimore, Md. | Vermont Academy
Benzing: "Jazmine is fast, strong and determined. One of our hardest hitting defenders, she'll set the tone for a physical and aggressive defensive unit."

#4 | Mya Allison | Fr. | Defender/Midfielder | 5-5 | Swansea, Ill. | Belleville East HS
Benzing: "Mya brings drive and passion to the defensive end of the field. Her willingness to put in work outside of practice will enhance both her and the team's abilities."

#5 | Olivia Futrell | Fr. | Attacker | 5-9 | Alton, Ill. | Alton HS
Benzing: "'Future' is strong and wants to score. She's a solid finisher who's ready to put up points in year-one."

#6 | Catherine Langmaid | R-So. | Attacker | 5-6 | Salem, N.H. | Central Connecticut
Benzing: "CC will help anchor our offense from the very beginning. As a lefty, she is dynamic and strong. Combine that with her east coast lacrosse IQ and DI playing experience, she's a deadly threat with and without the ball."

#7 | Ellie Pierce | Fr. | Midfielder | 5-8 | Papillion, Neb. | Mercy HS
Benzing: "Ellie is an absolute competitor. You can't teach someone to want the ball, and Ellie wants the ball at all times. She'll be a big part of our midfield unit."

#8 | Jorja Schooler | Fr. | Attacker/Midfielder | 5-5 | Duluth, Minn. | Duluth East HS
Benzing: "Jorja is a work horse. She wants to put the ball in the back of the net and she'll put her head down to get it done. She'll contribute on the draw circle, as well."

#11 | Shannon Buehre | So. | Attacker | 5-1 | Lee's Summit, Mo. | University of Saint Mary
Benzing: "Shannon is the only returning student-athlete to MWSU. She'll provide much needed leadership on and off the field, while adding an unselfish style of play to our offense."

#13 | Campbell Kennedy | R-So. | Defender | 5-6 | Webster Groves, Mo. | Central Connecticut
Benzing: "Campbell is a playmaker. This Division I transfer will provide much needed leadership to our defensive unit. We will rely on her heavily in year-one."

#14 | Madison Iandoli | Gr. | Midfielder | 5-7 | Palm City, Fla. | Guilford College
Benzing: "Madison is a difference maker. She'll provide us with much needed possessions off the draw and pace our midfield unit as a two-way middle."

#15 | Nia Austin | Fr. | Defender | 5-2 | Raytown, Mo. | Notre Dame de Sion HS
Benzing: "Nia is eager to learn and ready to be a part of a competitive program. She brings athleticism and drive to our defense."

#18 | Maggie McDaniel | Gr. | Attacker | 5-4 | Wentzville, Mo. | Chestnut Hill Univ./Missouri Baptist
Benzing: "Maggie is a graduate transfer with experience at both the DII and NAIA levels. She understands competitive lacrosse, the Midwest region, and will be a great leader for our young team."

#19 | Kiersten Lang | Fr. | Attacker/Midfielder | 5-5 | Swansea, Ill. | Belleville East HS
Benzing: "Kiersten is ready to prove herself after dealing with extensive injuries. She is a utility player who can help us anywhere on the field, but will contribute mostly to our attacking unit."

#20 | Abby Lockwood | Fr. | Midfielder | 5-3 | Wentzville, Mo. | Wentzville Holt HS
Benzing: "Abby is tired of being underestimated. There's a lot of poise and power packed into this one! She's ready to prove herself and take this team to the next level. Her championship mindset will bring up the entire team."

#21 | Mariyah Harper | Gr. | Defender | 5-5 | Alexandria, Va. | Alderson Broaddus
Benzing: "Mariyah has a big personality and an even bigger presence on the field. As a graduate transfer, she will be one of the biggest voices on our defensive end."

#22 | Madison Brady | R-Fr. | Attacker | 5-3 | Millersville, Md. | Howard CC
Benzing: "Maddie is ready to be our point guard. This crease attacker was DI bound for good reason and will use her Maryland upbringing to dominate the Midwest."

#23 | Kari Ham | Fr. | Goalie | 5-8 | St. Louis, Mo. | Rosati Kain HS
Benzing: "Kari is composed and competitive between the pipes. She is eager to learn and ready to be a leader of our defense."

#24 | Jillian DeMaddalena | Fr. | Attacker | 5-7 | Platte City, Mo. | Park Hill HS
Benzing: "Jill is a hard worker who hustles non-stop, which will make her a positive contributor to our offense."

#26 | Mackenzie Porter | R-So. | Goalie | 5-6 | Buchanan, N.Y. | Rutgers
Benzing: "Mack is fired up and ready to be the backbone of this program. The two-time high school All-American spent two years growing and developing in the Big 10. With full eligibility remaining, she's up for the challenge of taking a start-up program to postseason play."

#29 | Alex Shaffer | Gr. | Midfielder/Defender | 5-7 | Morgantown, W.V. | Alderson Broaddus
Benzing: "Alex is our in-house cheerleader! She will be a dual-athlete here on the lacrosse team and cheer squads. She brings high energy, a love for her teammates and the ability to control our transition game."

#35 | Brooke Freeman | R-Fr. | Attacker | 5-10 | Champlin, Minn. | Upper Iowa
Benzing: "Brooke is our secret weapon. She is sneaky and slippery in the 8-meter. This lefty cutter will be a silent playmaker."

#40 | Makalee Rinehart | So. | Defender | 5-4 | Lee's Summit, Mo. | Truman State
Benzing: "Mak is tough. A solid defender, she will add to an already physical defensive unit and bring an uplifting attitude to every play."

#44 | Morgan Skyles | R-So. | Midfielder | 5-7 | Eureka, Mo. | University of Missouri-St. Louis
Benzing: "Mo is going to explode on the lacrosse field. After leaving a championship softball program to pursue her passion for lacrosse, she's not wasting any time getting back into the game. She brings an unparalleled love, dedication, and work ethic."

#87 | Gillian Peterson | Fr. | Midfielder/Defender | 5-8 | Manitoba, Canada | Centre Scolaire Léo-Rémillard
Benzing: "Gillian is a great plug and play athlete. We can trust her anywhere on the field. After playing mostly boys lacrosse, we're ready to see how she blossoms at this next level."