Dana Funyak

Women's Lacrosse All-Decade Team Unveiled

4/8/2025 1:52:00 PM | By: JCUSID

Colleen Grombala is the program's lone All-American

The Blue Streaks have seen many stars come through in the last 10 years

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – As hard as it is to believe, John Carroll Women's Lacrosse is celebrating its 10th birthday this year.

In the blink of an eye, 10 years have elapsed since the first game of women's lacrosse at John Carroll University. During the last decade, the Blue Streaks have enjoyed much success and many lasting memories.

In recognition of the greatness witnessed in the last decade, John Carroll Sports Information and Women's Lacrosse have compiled an All-Decade Team.

Many, many more student-athletes have done fantastic work who are not on this list. We are incredibly grateful for their contributions as well. The list below was compiled based on all-conference, all-region, and All-American accolades, as well as statistical considerations.

So, here is the first All-Decade Team for JCU Women's Lacrosse!

ATTACK

Grace Curatolo: It's no question that John Carroll's all time leader in points winds up on the all decade team. The Western New York native spent all four years as a starter and racked up three first team All-OAC honors in the process, including being named to two All Great Lakes Region teams. In 2017, Curatolo won OAC offensive player of the year in a season where she led the conference in points, assists, and shots. In the same year, she finished the season ranking first in the country in assists per game. Curatolo finished her illustrious Blue Streak career as one of the program's finest, making her a no-brainer for all-decade recognition.

Colleen Grombala: A five year starter, Grombala anchored the Blue Streaks offensive attack from 2017-2021 notching 285 goals in that time span, the current all time record. Grombola appeared on four All-OAC teams, including a first team appearance in 2021. In that 2021 season, the Michigan native led John Carroll to their first OAC championship in program history, scoring a game high six goals in the championship clinching victory vs. Mount Union. The 2021 third team All-American joins the All-Decade team with a Hall of Fame resume, and a legacy left behind.

Gina Vilsack: A four year starter, Vilsack made her impact at John Carroll known from game one. As a freshman, the Pittsburgh native led the team in goals, and was second on the team in both assists and points. As a result, Vilsack earned First Team All-OAC honors as just a first year. In her sophomore campaign Vilsack earned team captain, and led the team in goals en route to All-OAC honors once again. As a junior, Vilsack led the OAC in goals, and yet again found herself as an All-OAC first teamer. Vilsack's 240 career goals rank second all time, and her 96 assists rank second.

Alex Heishman: Heishman enters the All-Decade team as not only an individual vital to athletic success, but also as the perfect encapsulation of what it means to be a "Woman of Carroll". In her first season, the attacker started in 15 games, and recorded 52 goals, the second most by a freshman in program history. As a result, Heishman was named OAC rookie of the year. In 2022, the native of Herndon, Virginia led the Blue Streaks to an OAC Championship. Heishman's six goals vs. Mount in the championship was a game high, guiding the Blue Streaks to their first conference championship in school history. In her senior season, Heishman led the team in goals (49), and points (67), and for the first team in her career earned First Team All-OAC honors. As a result of efforts off the field, Heishman won the 2022 Roman Canning Award for Student Athlete Community Service. She was also a nominee for 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. Finishing her career as an OAC Champion and an advocate for community involvement, Heishman exemplifies what it means to be a person for others.

MIDFIELD

Brooke McQuinn: A product of Magnificat, McQuinn finished her career as one of the best two-way players in John Carroll history. As a freshman in 2016, McQuinn tallied 20 goals, nine assists, and led the team with 113 draw controls. As a result, McQuinn earned OAC Freshman of the Year honors. In 2017 and 2018, McQuinn would go on to win back to back OAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, the only Blue Streak in program history to do so. The three time All-OAC first teamer finished her career as the programs all time leader in draw controls (519), ground balls (251), and caused turnovers (152). Aside from her elite defensive production, McQuinn brought fire on offense as well, contributing a combined 122 career goals, good for sixth all time. McQuinn's versatility makes her one of the most complete players to come through University Heights.

Kendall Gessner: The Gibsonia, PA native played a crucial role for the Blue Streaks from 2021-2024. In 2021, Gessner appeared in 35 games, notching 35 goals and 23 ground balls in a season that resulted in a conference championship. Gessner emerged in 2023 as the team's top point scorer. In 16 games Gessner accumulated 57 points (36 goals, and 21 assists). The two time Second Team All-OAC honoree tabbed three 30+ goal seasons, propelling her to seventh all time in goals scored (120), and points (159). She now assists the team as a coach.

Meghan Harte: A starter from day one, Meghan Harte served as a prolific scorer for the Blue Streaks. Over 63 games, Harte amassed 155 goals, 49 assists, and 204 points, ranking among top ten all time in each. Her senior season in 2018 was particularly remarkable, as she set career highs with a team leading 64 goals, 15 assists, and 79 points. In that season, Harte tied a program record with nine goals in a single game against Fredonia State. A rare four-time All-OAC honoree, Harte also excelled in draw controls, finishing her career with 201 wins in this category, a mark that ranks fourth all time.

Mary Doherty: Finishing her career second all time in draw controls, Doherty provided much needed versatility at the midfield position for John Carroll from 2020-2023. In her second season, she helped propel the Blue Streaks to an OAC championship, tallying a career high 12 draw controls against Mount Union in the championship game. Her efforts in the historic 2021 season landed her a spot on the All-OAC First Team, and regionally as a IWLCA Great Lakes Region First Teamer. In 2022, Doherty repeated as a member of the All-OAC First Team, finishing second in the conference in draw controls with 102, and also repeated with All-Region honors, earning a spot on the IWLCA Great Lakes Region Second Team.

DEFENDER:

Kaley LaForce: LaForce, a native of East Aurora, New York was one of the program's earliest defensive stars. In 2015, LaForce led the team with 46 ground balls, and forced a team-high 20 turnovers. As a result, LaForce was named to the All-OAC First Team, and the IWLCA Great Lakes Region Second Team. LaForce was a member of the women's club lacrosse team before making the transition to a varsity sport. One of the program's earliest stars, LaForce helped lead the Blue Streaks to 10 plus wins in each of the team's first two seasons as a varsity team.

Hannah Rust: Hannah Rust enters the All-Decade team as one of the best defenders in program history. In 2022, she started all 16 games, notching 15 ground balls and 11 forced turnovers on the season. As a result, she earned All-OAC First Team honors for the first time in her career, and was named the OAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. In her senior year, Rust once again found herself on an All-OAC team, earning Second Team honors. Rust was also stellar in the classroom, being named a three time member of the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll (2021-2023), and earning back to back Academic All-OAC honors (2022-2023).

Madelyn Pietrek: The two-time high school state champion at Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons brought her winning ways to John Carroll, being a member of the 2021 OAC Championship in her freshman year. From 2021-2024 Pietrek was an essential part of the defense, earning Second Team All-OAC honors in 2022, First Team honors in 2023, and an Honorable Mention in 2024. Starting in each game in her junior and senior seasons, Pietrek took on an Iron-Man role for the Blue Streaks, providing a reliable role on defense. Pietrek finished her career top ten all time in games started, games played, and minutes played.

Jill McDonnell: A native of Hamburg, New York, McDonnell checks into the All-Decade team as the only member that is a current player. In her freshman season a year ago, McDonnell recorded 28 ground balls, which was second on the team. As a result she was named the OAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the All-OAC First Team. So far this season, McDonnell has helped lead the Blue Streaks to an 11-0 record, the second-best start to a season in program history. In just her second season, McDonnell already ranks ninth in ground balls per game with 2, and caused turnovers per game averaging 1.93. With at least two full seasons left in her playing career at John Carroll, McDonnell has a serious chance to keep climbing up the all time ranks defensively.

GOALIE:

Kaleigh Kotula: The only goalkeeper on the list, Kotula shined in 2021, playing an essential role in the program's lone OAC championship. Kotula started in 16 of 17 games in 2021, including starting and picking up wins in both the OAC semifinal and championship games. Kotula earned First Team All-OAC honors and IWLCA Second Team All-Great Lakes honors. Kotula currently sits first all time in goals against average (8.30), second in save percentage (.443) and wins (18), and third all time in saves (151).

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