Back-to-back feels pretty nice.
The Ashland University women's lacrosse team has concluded the 2026 regular season with a 13-4 overall record and 8-0, perfect, record in conference play.
But that's not all.
On Wednesday, April 29, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference officially announced which student-athletes and coaches would take home individual honors and All-Conference selections.
And the Eagles spotlighted the list in numerous areas.
Senior forward
Rachel Crumbacher was honored as the conference's Attack of the Year, finishing the regular season with 51 goals, 24 assists and 75 total points. She took over 100 shots, with 67 of them ending up on goal. She also collected 17 ground balls, took 104 draw controls and forced eight turnovers. Starting in all 17 contests for the Eagles, Crumbacher proved just how dominant she is on the field.
In goal, Anniue Duncan took home Goalkeeper of the Year honors. She put together a brick wall-type performance each game this season. To conclude the regular season, Duncan gave up an average of 8.17 goals per game, all while stopping 101 shots in the process. She posted an 11-4 record while in the net.
The Eagles' success makes it clear they have strong leadership, but head coach
Lauren Simko being named Coach of the Year shows just how important she is to the team. Simko was honored with this year's award, marking back-to-back campaigns where she has received such praise. The Eagles have posted double-figure wins in each of the last three seasons under her command.
Lastly,
Ashley Drexler was awarded the Eagles' fourth award, as her excellence in the classroom and on the field gave her recognition as this year's Elite 26 recipient.
In All-Conference selections,
Ashley Fisher,
Lauren Hinders,
Tori Wanat, Crumbacher and Duncan were each selected to the First Team. Drexler, who took home the Elite 26 award, was named to the All-Conference Second Team. Drexler sports a 4.00 GPA as an Exercise Science major. The talented junior won the Elite 26 award last year, garnering second-team all-conference honors as well.
Heading into the conference tournament, which begins on Thursday, April 30, the Eagles are riding a 10-game winning streak having not lost since March 13 in a nail-biter against the Northern Michigan Wildcats. This list of honors and awards is only going to continue to fuel the fire for the Eagles, especially as they attempt to take back-to-back conference championships as well.
ALL-TIME ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S LACROSSE GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOREES
2026 – Lauren Simko (Coach of the Year),
Tori Wanat (first team),
Ashley Fisher (first team),
Annie Duncan (Goalkeeper of the Year and first team),
Ashley Drexler (Elite 26 Award and second team),
Rachel Crumbacher (Attacker of the Year and first team),
Lauren Hinders (first team).
2025 – Lauren Simko (Coach of the Year),
Tori Wanat (Freshman of the Year, Midfielder of the Year and first team),
Ashley Fisher (Attacker of the Year and first team),
Annie Duncan (Goalkeeper of the Year and first team),
Ashley Drexler (Elite 26 Award and second team),
Rachel Crumbacher (first team),
Lauren Hinders (first team),
Lily Holmes (second team).
2024 – Lauren Simko (co-Coach of the Year),
Ashley Drexler (Freshman of the Year, Midfielder of the Year and first team,
Lauren Simko (co-Coach of the Year),
Ashley Fisher (first team),
Alexis Montalvo (first team),
Rachel Crumbacher (second team).
2023 – Cassady Becker (first team),
Natalie Sonntag (first team),
Jillian Rekulak (first team),
Rachel Crumbacher (second team),
Alexis Montalvo (second team),
Bri Doctor (second team),
Madie Gash (third team),
Tori Sharlow (third team).
2022 – Cassady Becker (Attacker of the Year and first team),
Natalie Sonntag (first team),
Alexis Montalvo (second team),
Talia DiLello (third team),
Madie Gash (third team).
