2022-23 Moments of the Year (No. 1): Softball Posts Historic Season
MEQUON, Wis. – The 2022-23 athletic year was another successful one for the Concordia Wisconsin Athletic Department. The Falcons won and contended for conference championships in many sports and put together an impressive list of great achievements. As in years past, the Department of Athletic Communications tries to sort through all the great moments and give you, the fans, top stories from the past year.
The list of stories was compiled by the Department of Athletic Communications and, like all lists, is subject to debate. The top stories will be revealed over the next few days, with stories being released on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The top story will be released on August 4.
The Concordia Wisconsin softball team posted a record-breaking 2023 campaign, finishing the season with a program and conference record for victories in a season with an impressive 40-5 record. The Falcons also claimed the first NCAA Regional Title in program and school history.
The Falcons posted a sensational season within the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, going a perfect 23-0 and claiming the NACC regular season title, joining the 2015 Aurora Spartans as the only teams to complete an undefeated conference regular season.
CUW also claimed their second-straight NACC Tournament Title in postseason play with victories over Aurora, Dominican, and MSOE.
For their exceptional play throughout the season, seniors Sydney Erdmann (Geneva, Ill.), Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.), and Claudia Utz (Lockport, Ill.) were named to the All-NACC First Team. Followell also claimed NACC Pitcher of the Year, while head coach Steve Crook and his staff won NACC Coaching Staff of the Year. Senior Nicki Becker (Brodhead, Wis.) and Jess Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.) also received conference recognition and claimed All-NACC Honorable Mention honors.
For the NCAA Tournament, the Falcons were sent to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In their tournament opener, the Falcons dominated the Yellow Jackets of Wisconsin-Superior, taking the 8-0 victory in just six innings of play. In that contest, Sydney Erdmann broke the program record with a pair of triples.
CUW then took a pair of victories over Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 9-1 and 1-0, to claim the first-ever NCAA Regional Title in school history, punching their ticket to the NCAA Super Regionals. For their impressive performances in the tournament, Gina Followell was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, while Sydney Erdmann and Claudia Utz, and sophomore Madi Wheat (Coweta, Okla.) were all named to the All-Tournament Team. During the tournament, Followell broke the conference record for career strikeouts and victories in a single season.
The Falcon's historic 31-game win streak and season ended versus the eventual national champion, Trine Thunder, in the NCAA Super Regionals.
For their successful season, Concordia Wisconsin brought in several honors. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) honored four Falcons with NFCA All-Regional honors. Once again, Sydney Erdmann, Gina Followell, and Claudia Utz claimed NFCA All-Region First Team honors, while Jess Pozezinski was named to the All-Region Third Team. The duo of Gina Followell and Claudia Utz also earned NFCA All-American status, with Followell making her second-straight appearance on the NFCA All-America First Team. Meanwhile, Utz was named to the NFCA All-America Third Team.
Coach Steve and his staff were also voted the NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
For their performance both on the field and in the classroom, Nicki Becker, Sydney Erdmann, Jess Pozezinski, and Madi Wheat were honored by the College Sports Communication (CSC) and were named Academic All-District selections.
2022-23 CUW Athletics Stories of the Year
No. 10: Falcons Hockey Sweeps Marian on Mental Awareness Weekend
No. 9: Women's Basketball Beats Lakeland at the Buzzer in NACC Quarterfinals
No. 8: Women's Volleyball Clinches NACC Regular Season Title
No. 7: Men's Soccer Claims NACC Crown
No. 6: Women's Soccer Reclaims the NACC Crown
No. 5: Women's Tennis Takes Both NACC Titles
No. 4: Men's ACHA Hockey Punch Their Ticket to Nationals
No. 3: CUW Sets a School Record of Four CSC Academic All-Americans
No. 2: Esports Defends National Title
No. 1: Softball Posts Historic Season
