ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell women's lacrosse program gathered last month to celebrate the 2025 season and honor its standout performers at the team's annual banquet, where team awards and 2025–26 captains were announced.
Junior defender Caitlin Tully was named the Mary Beth DeLaney Best Defensive Player after anchoring the Big Red defense with 30 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers. A steady and vocal leader in the backfield, Tully's consistency helped Cornell limit opponents to just over 11 goals per game.
Senior attacker Caitlin Slaminko earned the Meg Bantley Best Offensive Player award after leading the team with 41 goals and 55 points, pacing one of the Ivy League's top scoring offenses. Slaminko was a captain for Big Red for two years and named Second Team All-Ivy her senior year. Also to note, she was on the Tewaaraton Watch List, The Tewaaraton Award Watch Lists for the 2025 season featured standout players from all three NCAA divisions, highlighting the top men's and women's lacrosse talent across the country. These lists served as a precursor to the Tewaaraton Award, which honors the most outstanding collegiate lacrosse players.
Sophomore Juliette Piersol received the Shea Maultsby 3-D Award, given to the player who exemplifies drive, determination and dedication. Piersol made an impact on and off the field, contributing in five games while embodying the team's hardworking culture.
The Caroline Salisbury Most Improved Player honor went to sophomore Cameron Traveis, who saw her role expand this season, playing in all 15 games, posting six goals and 15 draw controls while emerging as a dependable presence in the midfield.
Senior Alexa Donahoe was recognized as the Jaimee Reynolds Best All-Around Player after turning in a complete two-way performance with 19 goals, 24 draw controls and 13 caused turnovers. Donahoe set a tone of toughness on the field that she brought to every game that also earned her Second Team All-Ivy recognition.
The Lindsay Toppe Leadership Award was presented to sophomore midfielder Ellie Bergin, who led the Big Red with 73 draw controls and set the tone as a key transition player.
Rounding out the honorees, senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Clark received the Katherine Simmons BRICK Award, recognizing the player who best embodies the team's core values of Hard Work, Positive Attitude and Team First. Clark appeared in 13 games, making 58 saves with a .406 save percentage, and was a steady presence in goal.
At the banquet, the Big Red also announced its 2025–26 team captains: Tully, a second-year captain; Bergin; and Clark.
"Our Cornell lacrosse program works to build leadership skills in all of our players throughout their careers," said Karin Bain Kukral '82 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse, Jenny Graap. "Our team tradition is to allow our players to vote for their team captains, and this year a fantastic trio was chosen — Caitlin Tully '26, Mackenzie Clark '26, and Ellie Bergin '27. Caitlin served as a captain in her junior year and brings valuable experience to the leadership group this year. We feel fortunate to have three strong women serving as 2025–26 team captains who complement each other both on and off the field. Together they will work to ensure there is pride in all that we do to represent our great university."
Cornell finished the 2025 campaign with a 9–6 overall record (3–4 Ivy), highlighted by wins over Brown, Harvard and Penn State. The Big Red averaged 14.3 goals per game, among the league's best, and posted a .463 team shooting percentage. Slaminko, Gelabert, Wilmot and Pons powered an offense that produced 214 goals, while the defense, led by McDonald, Stafford, Horner, and Dicharia forced 138 turnovers across 15 contests.
The program bid farewell to a talented senior class of 16 graduates, whose leadership and experience set the tone for the team's success. With a strong mix of returning veterans and emerging underclassmen eager to step up, the 2026 Big Red are ready to fill those big shoes and continue building momentum.
Cornell's 2026 spring schedule will be released soon.
