TicketsCINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati lacrosse student-athletes Dani Mlkvy, Peyton Mottice and Kylie Nause were all named to the American Athletic Conference's Preseason Team on Tuesday. The Bearcats were picked fourth overall, and Mottice and Nause were unanimous coaches' picks.
Mlkvy (Berlin, N.J.) has started all but two games for the Bearcats over her first two seasons, with her 25 ground balls leading all returners. She was also a catalyst behind UC ranking second in the league for caused turnovers per game (9.59).
Mottice (Downingtown, Pa.) started 12 games last year, producing career-highs of four assists (Robert Morris) and four goals (at Central Michigan) in consecutive March contests. She also had a hat trick against Old Dominion and hit Anna Platou for the winning goal with 24 seconds left in the regular-season finale, sending UC to the AAC Championships.
Nause (Phoenix, Md.) was the 2019 AAC Freshman of the Year, UC's first superlative player award in the league's three-year history. Her 38 points (31 goals) tied Alyssa Adams for second on the team last season and are the most among returning Bearcats. She scored a career-high five goals in the 2021 opener against Marquette and had four in three other instances.
UC begins its 10th season under head coach Gina Thomas on Feb. 12 at Marquette, followed by the home opener Wednesday, Feb. 16 against Ohio State in Nippert Stadium (4 p.m.). Admission is free to all contests.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Florida (5)
T2. Temple (1)
T2. Vanderbilt
4. Cincinnati
5. East Carolina
6. Old Dominion
Mlkvy (Berlin, N.J.) has started all but two games for the Bearcats over her first two seasons, with her 25 ground balls leading all returners. She was also a catalyst behind UC ranking second in the league for caused turnovers per game (9.59).
Mottice (Downingtown, Pa.) started 12 games last year, producing career-highs of four assists (Robert Morris) and four goals (at Central Michigan) in consecutive March contests. She also had a hat trick against Old Dominion and hit Anna Platou for the winning goal with 24 seconds left in the regular-season finale, sending UC to the AAC Championships.
Nause (Phoenix, Md.) was the 2019 AAC Freshman of the Year, UC's first superlative player award in the league's three-year history. Her 38 points (31 goals) tied Alyssa Adams for second on the team last season and are the most among returning Bearcats. She scored a career-high five goals in the 2021 opener against Marquette and had four in three other instances.
UC begins its 10th season under head coach Gina Thomas on Feb. 12 at Marquette, followed by the home opener Wednesday, Feb. 16 against Ohio State in Nippert Stadium (4 p.m.). Admission is free to all contests.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Florida (5)
T2. Temple (1)
T2. Vanderbilt
4. Cincinnati
5. East Carolina
6. Old Dominion