NAPERVILLE — After a week that included a high-scoring effort from Elmhurst and a strong defensive showing from Carthage, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) selected Zoe Valdevenito and Taylor Ruf as its Women’s Lacrosse Student-Athletes of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. 
 
Valdevenito received the conference’s offensive award, while Ruf was recognized on the defensive side.
 
Offensive: Zoe Valdevenito, Elmhurst
Valdevenito posted nine goals in two matches to lead the Bluejays offensively during the week. The senior midfielder opened play with a career-high five goals and seven ground balls against Alma last Tuesday
 
She followed with four goals on four shots in a 12-5 win over Illinois Tech on Thursday, while also recording one ground ball, one caused turnover and one draw control. For the week, Valdevenito finished with nine goals on 14 shots, along with eight ground balls, three caused turnovers and two draw controls.
 
Defensive: Taylor Ruf, Carthage
Ruf helped anchor the Carthage defense in an 11-2 victory over Aurora on Saturday. A junior defender for the Firebirds, Ruf recorded game highs of six ground balls and six caused turnovers in the contest.
 
Her efforts helped Carthage hold Aurora to seven total shots and no goals over the final three quarters. The Firebirds forced 44 turnovers in the game and moved to their third win of the season.

2026 CCIW Women's Lacrosse Student-Athletes of the Week
Offensive
March 10: Zoe Valdevenito, Elmhurst
March 3: Elizabeth Wang, Carroll
Feb. 24: Anelise DiGiovanni, Illinois Wesleyan

Defensive
March 10: Taylor Ruf, Carthage
March 3: Grace Tumilty, Carroll
Feb. 24: Sadie Newton, Illinois Wesleyan