Buena Vista, VA - On Thursday afternoon, the USA South released the all-conference teams for the 2025 women's lacrosse season. Out of the three all-conference teams selected, Southern Virginia had five players recognized, including Makenzie Mickelsen, who is the first ever Knight to be named USA South Rookie of the Year.

Freshman midfielder Makenzie Mickelsen had a memorable first campaign. She finished the regular season with 44 goals and 60 points to lead the Knights attack. Her 91 draw controls are the third most in conference and was crucial to the teams late season success. Mickelsen also produced at an efficient rate, scoring on 61% of her shots and has played in every minute of every game. In addition to being the league's top rookie, she earned a spot on the first team all-conference.

Building on an impressive freshman campaign, sophomore attacker Kenzie Poulsen posed as a key scoring threat for the Knights this season. For her efforts, she was voted to the second team all-conference. She scored 46 goals, including an eight goal performance against Brevard to tie a program record for most goals in a game. She increased her goal scoring output by 15 goals this season to earn her first all-conference team nod.

Junior midfielder Ellie Patterson joins Poulsen on the second team after a career year offensively. After garnering first team all-conference last season as a defender, Patterson made the switch to midfield and has thrived on both sides of the ball. She led the team with 20 assists this season and obliterated her previous career in goals with 40. She also finished with 30 caused turnovers and 43 ground balls to lead the defensive effort.

Sydney Bastian, a freshman defender, lands on the second team all-conference. Bastian improved significantly as the season progressed, causing 13 turnovers over the last four games to place second on the team. She also contributed with 8 goals and finished with a season high of six ground balls and four caused turnovers in a victory over Brevard.

Senior Mariela Perez is the second Southern Virginia defender to end up on the second team all-conference. One of just three seniors on the team, Perez has guided the Knights defense to several quality performances. She collected 35 ground balls, caused 17 turnovers, and scored a career high 9 goals, all of which are career highs for a season.

Paysen Grandy is the Knights representative on the USA South All-Sportsmanship Team. Grandy was a key attacker in her maiden collegiate season, scoring 13 goals and starting every game she appeared in.

Up Next

Southern Virginia will open postseason play by hosting Brevard in the first round of the USA South Tournament. Game time is set for 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 26th, at Knight Stadium.

For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightathletics.com and follow @knightwlax on Instagram.