MEQUON, Wis. - The Concordia University Wisconsin women's lacrosse team wrapped up its 2025 season with a 5-10 overall record and a 4-5 mark in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) play, narrowly missing the postseason by a single game. The campaign featured high-scoring triumphs, milestone achievements, and standout individual efforts that laid a strong foundation for the future of the program.

The Falcons opened the year in commanding fashion with a 15-6 victory over Spalding behind a historic nine-goal outburst from junior Katelyn Cardinale (Mount Laurel, N.J.), earning her NACC Offensive Player of the Week honors. However, CUW dropped its next four matchups, including narrow defeats to Wisconsin-Stout (9-8) and Beloit (15-14), despite strong offensive showings from seniors Kami McCardle (Jackson, Wis.) and Natalie Mackrell (Florissant, Colo.).

After falling to NACC preseason favorite Aurora, the Falcons responded with a pair of thrilling conference wins. They secured a 10-9 overtime victory against Cornell, capped by a woman-up game-winner from Cardinale, then exploded for a season-high 19 goals in a rout of Illinois Tech. That contest saw Cardinale score seven goals and break the program's single-game ground ball record with 11, while sophomore Emily Robertson (Canton, Mich.) delivered a career-best performance with three goals, four points, and six draw controls.

CUW continued to flash offensive firepower in a 20-5 win over Lawrence, with Cardinale again leading the charge with seven goals and two assists. Sophomore Carolyn Bourgeault (Buffalo, N.Y.) and Mackrell added five-point nights, and Robertson contributed in all phases with two goals, four assists, and five caused turnovers.

Despite a setback at Lake Forest, the Falcons celebrated a dominant 19-11 Senior Day win over Marian. McCardle led the way with a career-high seven goals and recorded her 100th career point, while Bourgeault dished out five assists and freshman Gretchen Paaverud (Ramsey, Minn.) chipped in two goals.

Still fighting for a postseason berth, CUW battled Edgewood in a back-and-forth affair but ultimately fell 15-12. The Falcons entered their final game in a three-way tie for the final NACC Tournament spot but were eliminated in a 19-8 loss at MSOE. Bourgeault capped the year with a hat trick, and goalkeeper Parks Cawthray (Oakville, Ont.) made 10 saves in her final outing of the season.

Six Falcons earned All-NACC recognition at the end of the season. Cardinale, Mackrell, Robertson, and senior defender Ava Karlov (Naperville, Ill.) were all named to the Second Team. Cardinale finished with a team-high 60 goals, 69 points, and 67 draw controls, while Mackrell led the team in assists (18) and caused 29 turnovers. Robertson paced the squad in ground balls (50) and caused turnovers (33). Karlov repeated as an All-NACC defender after forcing 29 turnovers and scoring 16 points.

Honorable Mention honors went to McCardle, who recorded 32 goals and eight assists, and junior defender Delainey McCardle (Jackson, Wis.), who notched 21 caused turnovers and 24 ground balls in a breakout season.

The Falcons graduate a senior class that provided vital leadership and consistency, but a strong returning core led by Cardinale, Robertson, and Bourgeault will aim to push CUW back into the postseason conversation in 2026.