Women's Lacrosse | 7/23/2026 10:00:00 AM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. – St. John Fisher University's Maddie Lowney has been named the 2025-26 Empire 8 Conference Woman of the Year, the league office announced on Thursday morning. The award, which has been presented annually since 2005-06, recognizes a senior female student-athlete who has distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.
A native of Baldwin, Maryland, Lowney helped lead the St. John Fisher women's lacrosse team to four Empire 8 titles, 39 straight wins against conference opponents (including regular season and postseason games) and four wins in the NCAA Tournament while playing in 81 games from 2023-26. She graduated as a two-time Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) All-American and four-time IWLCA All-Region first-team selection.
Lowney becomes the fifth student-athlete from St. John Fisher to be named E8 Woman of the Year, joining former teammate Sydney Carpenter (women's lacrosse, 2025), Sydney French (women's volleyball, 2023), Emily Trotman (softball, 2021) and Katie Mazierski (softball/volleyball, 2018).
"I've always been surrounded by strong women, so to even be considered for Woman of the Year is a great honor," Lowney said. "The influence of the culture at St. John Fisher has helped me grow in character as an athlete and a student. The community of my team and coaches has shown me what it means to be strong and determined, but most importantly, what it means to be a good friend. I will always value my time at Fisher for shaping who I am. As a member of the Empire 8, I feel prepared to be a successful leader in my career and remain resilient in the face of any challenges."
One of the most decorated players in conference history, Lowney claimed the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year award in 2023 and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, 2025 and 2026. She was a four-time All-Empire 8 first-team selection, four-time Empire 8 All-Tournament Team pick and the Empire 8 Championship Most Valuable Player in 2026.
Lowney enjoyed a tremendous senior season, serving as team captain and recording career-best totals of 85 draw controls, 64 caused turnovers, an E8 single-season record, and 67 ground balls, the most in the conference. She finished her remarkable career as the conference's all-time leader with 167 caused turnovers (2.1 per game). Additionally, she ranks third in St. John Fisher history in ground balls (231) and draw controls (273)
"Maddie is the epitome of St. John Fisher women's lacrosse and what it means to represent St. John Fisher both academically and athletically," St. John Fisher head coach Marykate Edmunds said. "She brings pride, joy, and goodness to everything that she does, competes with the highest integrity for her team and the sport, is the ultimate competitor, and a loving teammate. Maddie brought our program to new heights through her play, breaking numerous records and countless on-field accomplishments. However, she will be remembered most for the person, leader, and teammate that she was to each person on our team. We are so grateful for all that Maddie has brought to our program and the lasting impact she will have on Fisher lacrosse."
Lowney recently earned her bachelor's degree in both legal studies and sustainability while carrying a tremendous 3.91 grade-point average and graduating summa cum laude. She is a six-time member of the Empire 8 President's List for maintaining at least a 3.75 grade-point average, while earning St. John Fisher Dean's List honors eight times.
Lowney won the St. John Fisher Sustainability and Excellence in Legal Studies awards in 2026 and was a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. She earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors twice and a spot on the IWLCA DIII Academic Honor Roll three times.
"Maddie has excelled by going above and beyond what is required, maintaining a positive attitude and putting her team first," St. John Fisher Director of Athletics and Recreation Jennifer Granger said. "She embodies St. John Fisher University's core values, leading her team with respect and integrity."
Off the field and outside the classroom, Lowney excelled in engagement within the greater Rochester community. She served as a Rochester Ecology Partners Volunteer, created an interactive workbook on Rochester-area pollinators for younger students and organized a planting and cleanup event at Griffin Garden with the World of Inquiry School. In addition, she attended programs on law school admissions, legal careers and LSAT preparation, while connecting with fellow legal studies students. Lowney also interned with the Monroe County Public Defender's Office, meeting with clients, visiting incarcerated individuals, helping prepare them for court proceedings and assisting her mentor attorney by reviewing discovery materials and writing evidence summaries.
For several years, Lowney supported beach cleanup and community outreach efforts in Ocean City, Maryland, including adopting a beach, collecting more than 400 pounds of trash in one weekend and assisting with a youth leadership and surf camp.
"Maddie enjoyed a sensational career on the lacrosse field as arguably the most dominant defensive player in the league's history to date," said Joe Venniro, Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner. "From day one, she emerged as a leader for a team that won four E8 championships in consecutive seasons in addition to winning three E8 Defensive Player of the Year honors and a trio of All-American accolades. What Maddie has already accomplished in the classroom, giving back to the Rochester and Ocean City communities, while gaining key experience to prep for her future law career is very impressive. She has a remarkably bright future ahead of her."
Lowney will now be forwarded to the national DIII Commissioner's Association Senior Female Athlete of the Year award.
