Pace University Women’s Lacrosse Athlete Alexandra Witucki Earns NE10 Woman of the Year
Understanding the NE10 Woman of the Year Award Criteria
The Northeast 10 (NE10) Conference is one of the most competitive NCAA Division II athletic associations in the United States. Spanning across the northeastern region, the conference places a heavy emphasis on the holistic development of student-athletes. The NE10 Woman of the Year award stands as one of the conference’s most prestigious honors. It does not simply recognize the best statistical performer on the field or the student with the highest grade point average. Instead, the award evaluates a graduating female student-athlete across four distinct pillars: athletics, academics, leadership, and service.
For a nominee to be seriously considered, she must demonstrate sustained excellence across all these areas throughout her entire collegiate career. The selection committee looks for individuals who have left a lasting, positive impact on their campus community. When Alexandra Witucki was named the 2025–26 NE10 Woman of the Year, she became the first student-athlete from Pace University to ever receive this specific honor. This milestone highlights not only her personal dedication but also the rising standard of the Pace University women’s lacrosse program and the university’s commitment to developing well-rounded graduates in the USA.
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Athletic Excellence on the Lacrosse Field
Alexandra Witucki’s athletic resume reads like a blueprint for building a championship-level defense. Hailing from Rochester, New York, Witucki joined the Pace University women’s lacrosse program during a transitional period and helped elevate it into a national powerhouse. Over her four years, she was a critical component of a defensive unit that consistently shut down some of the top offensive players in Division II.
During her senior season, Witucki started all but one game on the back line. Her defensive positioning, communication, and ability to execute under pressure provided the Setters with the stability needed to navigate a grueling schedule. The team’s performance that spring was a testament to her on-field leadership: Pace advanced to the NE10 Championship game and ultimately reached the NCAA Semifinals, securing a spot among the final four programs in the country.
This final four appearance was the latest in a long line of high-level achievements for Witucki. Her career included winning an NE10 championship and contributing to an NCAA national championship team. She played a direct role in shifting the culture of the program, helping Pace evolve from a rising contender into a nationally recognized elite program. For aspiring athletes looking to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level, Witucki’s career demonstrates the value of defensive discipline and team-first mentality.
The Importance of Defensive Leadership
In a sport often dominated by offensive statistics, Witucki’s recognition shines a light on the critical nature of defensive play. A strong defense is the foundation of any championship run. Her ability to organize the back line, clear the ball effectively, and neutralize opposing attacks allowed Pace’s offense to operate with confidence. Young players studying the game should note that consistent, reliable defensive play often yields the highest team dividends when the stakes are at their highest.
Academic Rigor and Strategic Course Selection
Balancing the demands of a national-championship-caliber sports schedule with a rigorous academic workload requires exceptional time management. Witucki achieved a 3.76 undergraduate GPA while majoring in sports marketing—a highly relevant field that bridges her athletic interests with her professional aspirations. Rather than resting on her undergraduate success, she immediately transitioned into a graduate degree program in business analytics.
This combination of degrees is highly strategic. Sports marketing provides an understanding of consumer behavior, brand management, and event promotion within the sports industry. Business analytics complements this by equipping her with the quantitative skills needed to analyze market data, measure campaign ROI, and make data-driven decisions. For current and prospective student-athletes, Witucki’s academic path illustrates a crucial lesson: your major should serve as a bridge between your current passions and your future career.
Campus Leadership Beyond the Playing Field
What truly separated Witucki from other accomplished nominees was her extensive involvement in campus life outside of her primary sport. The NE10 Woman of the Year criteria heavily weight leadership and service, and Witucki built a portfolio of roles that showcased her versatility and commitment to the Pace University community.
- Team Equipment Manager: Taking on this role shows a willingness to handle the unglamorous, behind-the-scenes work necessary for a team to function smoothly. It demonstrates humility and a deep care for her teammates’ daily experience.
- General Manager of a Student-Run Small Business: This role allowed Witucki to apply her sports marketing knowledge in a practical setting, managing operations, strategy, and personnel.
- Supervisory Role at Pace’s Main Athletics Facility: Serving in a supervisory capacity at the Goldstein Fitness Center required interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and operational oversight, further proving her leadership capabilities.
These roles paint a picture of a student-athlete who did not isolate herself within the athletic department. She engaged with the broader student body, took on real-world responsibilities, and developed professional skills that will translate directly to her post-graduate career.
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Actionable Advice for Aspiring Student-Athletes
Alexandra Witucki’s career offers a clear roadmap for high school athletes hoping to succeed at the collegiate level. Achieving this level of comprehensive success does not happen by accident; it requires intentional planning and execution.
Seek Out Diverse Leadership Roles
Do not limit your leadership aspirations to being named a team captain. While that is a noble goal, true leadership is demonstrated through action. Volunteer for behind-the-scenes responsibilities, seek part-time jobs or internships within your university’s athletic department, and look for opportunities to lead student organizations. A diverse leadership portfolio makes you a more attractive candidate for post-graduate opportunities and high-level awards.
Treat Academics as a Professional Commitment
Time management is the most critical skill a college student-athlete can develop. Treat your class schedule, study hours, and academic assignments with the same seriousness and preparation you give to game day. Choose a major that genuinely interests you and aligns with your long-term career goals, just as Witucki did with sports marketing and business analytics.
Embrace Community Service
Engage with the community surrounding your university. Community service grounds you, provides perspective, and fulfills the service component that many high-level awards and employers look for. Find causes that resonate with you and commit to them consistently throughout your college career.
The Growing Legacy of Pace University Athletics
Witucki’s achievement is a significant milestone for Pace University athletics. As the first Setter to win the NE10 Woman of the Year, she has set a new benchmark for future generations of student-athletes in Pleasantville. The honor reflects the broader trajectory of the athletic department, which has seen multiple programs—including women’s lacrosse and esports—make deep national tournament runs and secure conference championships recently.
The culture being built at Pace University in the USA is one of comprehensive excellence. Coaches like Tricia Molfetta are recruiting not just talented players, but high-character individuals who are willing to invest in the community. Molfetta noted that Witucki “led by example throughout her entire career” and “left our program better than when she found it.” That is the ultimate metric of success for any student-athlete.
Explore our related articles for further reading on Pace University athletics and NE10 sports.
Moving Forward: The NCAA Woman of the Year Nomination
Following her NE10 recognition, Alexandra Witucki now moves forward as the conference’s official nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. This national award casts an even wider net, evaluating the top female student-athletes across all three NCAA divisions. Regardless of the final outcome, her nomination secures her place in the annals of Pace University history.
Witucki plans to carry the lessons she learned on the lacrosse field and in the classrooms of Pace into the next phase of her life, with a stated goal of making a “positive and lasting impact on others,” particularly through coaching. Her story serves as a practical case study for what is possible when athletic talent is paired with academic focus, a willingness to serve, and a commitment to leading by example.
