Wildcat of the Week: Alyssa Leonard

Northwestern’s women’s lacrosse team began yet another title defense in much the same manner as they usually do. An 18-5 win over a new program is what happens with the defending champions. The Wildcats were happy to play at the Los Angeles Coliseum and help former Wildcat Lindsey Munday open up the Trojans new women’s lacrosse program with a marquee event.

Yes, Northwestern has had a hand in growing and developing women’s lacrosse throughout the nation. The first task though is still winning games and winning them in dominant fashion.

Northwestern’s success has long been built on controlling possession and that starts with winning draw controls. For Northwestern then, Saturday’s win over USC was something near to perfection in that regard. Alyssa Leonard set a NCAA single-game record with 15 draw controls as Northwestern racked up 47 shots to entertain the more than 18,000 who attended USC’s debut game as a Division I women’s lacrosse program.

You could not ask for a better start to the season.

The Wildcats schedule stiffens up, as it usually does, as they play the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill one week from Friday.

Honorable Mentions

Jason Welch, Wrestling: It was not the best Senior Day for Northwestern’s wrestlers. The Wildcats won only three matches in a 24-10 loss to the No. 8 Illini. Welch, the number-2 ranked wrestler at 157 pounds, won a 19-7 decision over Matt Nora for a victory in his final dual at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Welch has put together a very accomplished career without doubt. With two more regular season duels left, Welch is positioning himself for a deep run at the NCAA tournament.

Veronica Corning, Women’s Tennis: At the risk of starting off the Anchorman jokes yet again, Corning proved to be a key part of a consolation round victory over No. 10 Miami at the ITA Team Indoor Championship. Corning teamed up with Alicia Barnett for a win at No. 2 doubles to help NU secure the doubles point. She then upset No. 57 Lina Lileikite at No. 2 singles in straight sets. Corning had tied up her match with Duke’s Mary Clayton and was tied 1-1 in the final set, but the match was finished with Duke collecting its fourth point to eliminate Northwestern from the main draw.

Chloe Grainger, Fencing: The senior sabrist (fencers, is that correct?) was one of two competitors to win all three of her matches in a 14-13 loss to Duke this past weekend. The Wildcats lost that match, but the No.7 Cats recovered to defeat No.5 Penn State later in the day at Durham.