Cardinals Celebrate 2023 Season at Annual Banquet

The University of Louisville women’s lacrosse team recently held their annual banquet to celebrate their successful 2023 season. The event was a chance to recognize the team’s accomplishments and individual milestones.

Despite finishing the season with a 5-12 overall record, the Cardinals had some standout moments. They secured key victories over No. 25 Colorado, Duke, and Pittsburgh.

At the banquet, six players were honored for their outstanding performances. Negai Nakazawa was named Rookie of the Year after an impressive season that saw her make the 2023 ACC All-Freshman team. Nakazawa finished the season with 16 goals, 21 points, 25 ground balls, and 20 draw controls. She was a valuable asset to the team, ranking third in draw controls and fourth in points, assists, ground balls, and caused turnovers.

Nicole Perroni was awarded Offensive Player of the Year for her exceptional senior year. Perroni was named to the All-ACC Second Team and led the Cardinals with 45 points, 37 goals, 68 shots on goal, and 29 caused turnovers. She recorded seven hat tricks and had multiple goals in ten games throughout the season.

Goalkeeper Sara Addeche was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year. Addeche had an outstanding performance, making 153 saves and moving up to third all-time in single-season saves. She had six games with 10 or more saves and set a program record for saves in a game with 18 against Notre Dame on April 20.

Additional honors were given out at the banquet. Marissa Zeno and Maggie Foster received the Iron Cardinal award, Hannah Morris won the Legacy Award, and Maggie Foster took home the Integrity Award. These players exemplified the team’s values and contributed to their success throughout the season.

The team also celebrated the achievements of six jersey honorees: Alexa Steffens, Hannah Morris, Lexi Arens, Maggie Foster, Izzy Holmes, and Rachel Lifson. These players had a significant impact on the team and left a lasting legacy.

In addition to the individual awards, the banquet highlighted several season milestones achieved by the team. Some notable milestones include Sara Addeche setting a school record with 18 saves in a game against Notre Dame, Madi McKee reaching 100 career draw controls against Vanderbilt, and Nicole Perroni achieving 100 career points against Clemson. These milestones showcased the team’s growth and individual contributions throughout the season.

Overall, the banquet was a chance for the University of Louisville women’s lacrosse team to come together and celebrate their successful 2023 season. The honorees and milestone achievers were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the team’s accomplishments.