Click here to view the entire 2026 CSC Academic All-District At-Large Teams
NEWARK, Del. - - The College Sports Communicators announced its 2026 Academic All-District At-Large Team, and six Wilmington University women's lacrosse student-athletes were recognized as some of the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
Representing the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team on the CSC Academic All-District Team were senior Ella Royer, juniors Leah Rycroft and Caitlyn Welker, and sophomores Mia Bucs, Sophie Shive, and Allison Schiavone. The six Wildcats represent the most among Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference programs and are among 44 total CACC student-athletes.
To be eligible for CSC Academic All-District nomination, the student-athlete must excel in both the field of play and the classroom. Student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average, AND compete in 90 percent of the institution's games or start in at least 66 percent of the games, along with several other criteria. CACC championship sports eligible for the At-Large Teams include men's golf, women's bowling and men's and women's lacrosse.
Ella Royer (Sherwood Park, Alberta) finished her career as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA DII history, finishing with 378 career marks. She is also third all-time with 477 career points, dishing out 99 assists in her career. As a senior, she scored 101 goals with a career high 28 assists for 129 points. She is also the program's all-time leader with 189 ground balls, 390 draw controls, and second all-time with 108 caused turnovers. She earned her behavioral science degree this spring with a cumulative GPA of 3.63.
Leah Rycroft (Sherwood Park, Alberta) finished fifth on the team with 69 points this season, scoring the third most 56 goals with 13 assists. She also led the team with 30 caused turnovers and 39 ground balls, and was second on the team with 81 draws. The CACC Tournament MVP and Second Team All-CACC performer carried a 4.00 GPA while studying for her degree in finance.
Caitlyn Welker (Bel Air, Md.) helped anchor a defense that only allowed 6.82 goals per game. She started all 22 games on the backline, finishing second on the team with 25 caused turnovers and 34 ground balls. The Second Team All-CACC and CACC All-Tournament Team performer has a 3.97 cumulative grade point average while studying health sciences.
Mia Bucs (Swedesboro, N.J.) also helped anchor a defense that only allowed 6.82 goals per game this year. She started all 22 games on the backline in her first season as a defender, amassing 19 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers. She is carrying a 3.87 cumulative grade point average while studying for her health sciences degree.
Sophie Shive (Cockeysville, Md.) also helped anchor a defense that only allowed 6.82 goals per game. She started all 22 games this year on the backline, finishing the year with 14 caused turnovers and 12 ground balls while playing a vital role in the team's 87.7 percent success rate. She has a 3.93 cumulative grade point average while pursuing her elementary education degree.
Allison Schiavone (Severna Park, Md.) was the last line of defense for the Wildcats, as the team only allowed 6.82 goals per game. As a team, the Wildcats led all of NCAA Division II with a .575 save percentage and fourth in the country with their 6.82 scoring defense. Schiavone made 11 starts while playing all 22 games this year, ending with 105 saves, a .568 save percentage, and a 7.11 goals against average. She has a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average while studying biology.
The 2026 CSC Academic All-America At-Large Team will be announced on Tuesday, July 7.