Maldonado and Fiandaca POTW March 5, 2024

Maldonado and Fiandaca Earn CCIW Player of the Week Honors

Maldonado named offensive player of the week, while Fiandaca earns co-defensive accolade

3/5/2024 1:01:00 PM

CCIW Release

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - After a strong opening week, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team saw senior Britney Maldonado (Hoffman Estates, Ill.-James B. Conant) and junior Mia Fiandaca (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles North) earn College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Player of the Week honors Tuesday, March 5. Maldonado was the recipient of the offensive award, while Fiandaca was awarded co-defensive honors. This marks the second weekly award of Maldonado's career, while Fiandaca earns the award for the third time.

Maldonado was imperative to the Illinois Wesleyan offense in its opening week of the 2024 season. Picking up right where she left off in 2023, the Hoffman Estates, Ill. native finished with 16 points, averaging 8.0 per game, composed of six goals and 10 assists, in two games. Her six goals came on just seven shot attempts, as she continues to be one of the most efficient shooters in the league. The 2023 Second Team All-CCIW selection added eight ground balls and five caused turnovers as an attack for the Green and White.

Against Aurora University Wednesday, Feb. 29, Maldonado tied for a match-high nine points, coming by way of three goals on three shot attempts and four assists, along with scooping up four ground balls and causing three Aurora turnovers. Maldonado kept her strong opening week going with seven points against Edgewood College Saturday, March 2, as she tied for the match-high with seven points on three goals and four assists, leading the Titans to a 17-10 victory. Maldonado also posted four ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Fiandaca was a key player on both sides of the ball in Illinois Wesleyan's first two games of the 2024 season, which included breaking the program's single-game caused turnover record. Off a breakout sophomore season, Fiandaca got right back to work her junior year, posting eight points on eight goals, an average of four per game, 18 draw controls, averaging nine per game, 12 caused turnovers and six ground balls, an average of six and three per game, respectively.

A 2023 First Team All-CCIW honoree, Fiandaca put on a show against Aurora Wednesday, Feb. 29, as she finished with a loaded stat line of six goals for six points, five ground balls, seven caused turnovers, and 14 draw controls. Her seven caused turnovers shattered the program's single-game record, while her 14 draw controls was the second-most recorded in a game by a Titan, one shy of tying the record. In the win over Edgewood, Fiandaca posted two goals for two points, five caused turnovers, four draw controls, and one ground ball.

The Titans return to action tomorrow, March 6, against DePauw University. Action is set to begin at 6 p.m. inside Tucci Stadium.

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