The 2025 women’s Raider lacrosse team has had a season to remember, but they are not done yet. The Raiders’ currently have a record of 13-4 and hope to keep the wins rolling in as they head into the OAC Championship this Saturday, May 3rd at 1p.m at Kehres Stadium. The team is led by graduate student Katie Clark and junior Ella Nejad. Clark and Nejad are the team leaders in points and both received OAC honors this season. Nejad was recognized with first team All-OAC. Clark was recognized with first team All-OAC as well as Offensive Player of the Year. Alongside Clark and Nejad, six other Raiders were recognized with OAC honors including Abby Lindkvist who was named Goalie of the Year. Head Coach Bethany Snider also received OAC Coach of the Year.
Individual success on the field could not happen without the help of their teammates. Both Clark and Nejad have nothing but praise and kind words for their teammates. “On our team we truly emphasize the idea that this is a team sport, and not just individualized success. We really try to celebrate the small wins too. Even though Ella and I have the most points on the team, there are players that don’t receive that type of recognition who are the backbone of our team,” said Clark. “I truly believe that Katie and our other offensive players have contributed to my success. I would not be where I am at right now if it wasn’t for the other girls I play with each and every day. When we work as a unit, share the ball, and push through adversity, we all succeed as an offensive threat,” mentioned Nejad. The team looks forward to the weekend in hopes of bringing home an OAC Championship.
"I would not be where I am at right now if it wasn’t for the other girls I play with each and every day. When we work as a unit, share the ball, and push through adversity, we all succeed as an offensive threat."
Clark has had an impressive career at Mount Union and her legacy will leave an impact on future players. Although her athletic career has been one to remember, Clark will remember the time off the field with her teammates the most. “If you were to ask me when I was a freshman if I would take a 5th year, I probably would’ve said no, just because I thought four years would be enough. But looking back now, five years isn’t even enough. So, in a few months when I look back at my career at Mount Union, I’m not going to remember the records or the stats, I’m going to remember playing handball before practices, singing on the bus after a win, taking spring break trips to different states, hosting two NCAA games on our field, and more importantly, making lifetime friendships with these amazing women that I’ll forever be grateful for,” stated Clark. As for Nejad, being only a junior she has another year as a Purple Raider where she is excited to improve and grow the program. “I look forward to continue to play these difficult, more advanced OAC teams that give us a run for our money. We may lose, make mistakes, get down on ourselves, but that’s the only way we will grow and we will be better off in the end for it. As for my senior season next year, I’m excited to continue taking on more of a leadership role and help advance our underclassmen to truly bleed Mount Lax and continue the legacy we have been building for four years,” said Nejad.
As the season dwindles down and the semester comes to an end, these girls can look back and smile on the year their team has had. Lacrosse is more than just a sport for Clark and Nejad, it is an escape from their studies and a time to surround themselves with the people that mean the most to them. “Raider Lacrosse is more than just a division III college team with a logo we throw on our backs, but a family that sees each other in the best and worst times on and off the field. They are my extended family for life,” voiced Nejad. “There are truly no words to describe what this team and program means to me. When I chose to take a fifth year while being a doctorate student, I knew my days were going to be very stressful and extremely busy. But I decided to take another year because of how much these women mean to me. On our team we say ‘Mount Lacrosse Forever’, and we truly mean that. So, after a long day of classes, being able to spend a few hours with some of my best friends and have fun playing this sport is what Raider Lacrosse is all about,” stated Clark. Be sure to come out and support Clark, Nejad, and the rest of the women’s lacrosse team as they would love a loud and energetic crowd this Saturday, May 3rd as they take on John Carroll at 1p.m in the OAC Championship!
