Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Dykstra, Lauren
Lauren Dykstra
- Induction:
- 2023
- Class:
- 2011
Perhaps the finest all-around player in Lehigh women's lacrosse history, Lauren Dykstra was Lehigh's first four-time, first-team All-Patriot League honoree. The 2011 graduate garnered four different Patriot League major awards in her four seasons for the Mountain Hawks.
A Mendham, N.J. native, Dykstra still holds the school and Patriot League record with 257 career goals. She ranks second in Lehigh history with 302 career points.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is such an honor,” Dykstra said. “It’s validation for the hard work that I put in on and off the field to be the best player and teammate I could be. I believe it’s a direct reflection of the leadership and discipline instilled by our tremendous coaching staff, the dedication of my teammates to our success as a team and the unlimited support from my family. As one of twelve players on the field for our team at a time, this honor is as much a credit to my teammates and the coaching staff as it is to myself as an individual player.”
Dykstra burst onto the scene as a first-year, scoring 64 goals, still a record for Lehigh first-year women’s lacrosse players. She was a five-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week and at the end of the regular season was recognized as the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year.
In 2009, Dykstra scored 67 goals, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. She was recognized as the Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Year and earned the first of three consecutive first team Mid-Atlantic All-Region accolades.
The 2010 campaign was perhaps Dykstra’s most well-rounded season. The offensive prowess continued, with 54 goals and 62 points. Dykstra added 47 groundballs, 38 draw controls and caused 16 turnovers and was named the Patriot League’s Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to a second straight all-region selection, Dykstra was named a second team All-American by womenslacrosse.com.
Dykstra’s junior season coincided with one of Lehigh’s most successful campaigns during the Patriot League era. The Mountain Hawks went 14-4 overall and shared the Patriot League’s regular season championship with a 5-1 record. Lehigh hosted the league tournament at the Ulrich Sports Complex and advanced to the finals. The Mountain Hawks won 45 games over Dykstra’s four seasons and made the Patriot League Tournament all four years.
As a senior, Dykstra posted the best statistical season of her career, leading the Patriot League and ranking fifth nationally with 86 points, while adding a team-best 72 goals and leading the nation in goals per game (4.24). She added 33 groundballs, 33 draw controls and 20 caused turnovers as one of the Mountain Hawks’ top defensive players, and garnered her fourth different Patriot League major award as she was named Midfield Player of the Year.
At Lehigh’s year-end Student-Athlete Awards Convocation, Dykstra received three major awards: The Graduating Female Athlete Award (since renamed in honor of Karen Adams), the Sportsmanship Award and the Mary O. Hurley Leadership Award given to the outstanding senior female leader.
In addition to a third straight IWLCA All-Region honor, Dykstra earned third team All-America laurels, becoming the third women’s lacrosse player in program history to be recognized as an All-American by the IWLCA. She added All-America honors from WomensLax.com and Synapse Sports. Dykstra was selected to the IWLCA North-South Senior All-Star Game and captured most valuable player honors in that game.
Dykstra was also honored with the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award following her graduation.
During her time at Lehigh, Dykstra competed for spots on the United States women’s developmental team. In 2013, Dykstra represented Israel at the Federation of International Lacrosse Women's World Cup in Canada.
“When I first came to Lehigh, I was looking for the right balance between a great business school and a very competitive sports program,” Dykstra said. “Lehigh was all of that and so much more. Being a part of the women’s lacrosse team was an unforgettable experience where I made lifelong friends. Lehigh challenged me both athletically and academically which helped shape who I am both individually and professionally today. I continue to carry with me through my everyday life the numerous lessons learned throughout my Lehigh playing career as a teammate, student and friend. I will forever be grateful to having these lasting memories of being part of this amazing Lehigh family.”
Dykstra graduated from Lehigh in 2011 with a degree in management. She works as the Senior Director of Commercial Management at Fidelity National Information Services.
Dykstra and her husband Chris Cecchetelli have a son James and a daughter Riley.
A Mendham, N.J. native, Dykstra still holds the school and Patriot League record with 257 career goals. She ranks second in Lehigh history with 302 career points.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is such an honor,” Dykstra said. “It’s validation for the hard work that I put in on and off the field to be the best player and teammate I could be. I believe it’s a direct reflection of the leadership and discipline instilled by our tremendous coaching staff, the dedication of my teammates to our success as a team and the unlimited support from my family. As one of twelve players on the field for our team at a time, this honor is as much a credit to my teammates and the coaching staff as it is to myself as an individual player.”
Dykstra burst onto the scene as a first-year, scoring 64 goals, still a record for Lehigh first-year women’s lacrosse players. She was a five-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week and at the end of the regular season was recognized as the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year.
In 2009, Dykstra scored 67 goals, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. She was recognized as the Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Year and earned the first of three consecutive first team Mid-Atlantic All-Region accolades.
The 2010 campaign was perhaps Dykstra’s most well-rounded season. The offensive prowess continued, with 54 goals and 62 points. Dykstra added 47 groundballs, 38 draw controls and caused 16 turnovers and was named the Patriot League’s Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to a second straight all-region selection, Dykstra was named a second team All-American by womenslacrosse.com.
Dykstra’s junior season coincided with one of Lehigh’s most successful campaigns during the Patriot League era. The Mountain Hawks went 14-4 overall and shared the Patriot League’s regular season championship with a 5-1 record. Lehigh hosted the league tournament at the Ulrich Sports Complex and advanced to the finals. The Mountain Hawks won 45 games over Dykstra’s four seasons and made the Patriot League Tournament all four years.
As a senior, Dykstra posted the best statistical season of her career, leading the Patriot League and ranking fifth nationally with 86 points, while adding a team-best 72 goals and leading the nation in goals per game (4.24). She added 33 groundballs, 33 draw controls and 20 caused turnovers as one of the Mountain Hawks’ top defensive players, and garnered her fourth different Patriot League major award as she was named Midfield Player of the Year.
At Lehigh’s year-end Student-Athlete Awards Convocation, Dykstra received three major awards: The Graduating Female Athlete Award (since renamed in honor of Karen Adams), the Sportsmanship Award and the Mary O. Hurley Leadership Award given to the outstanding senior female leader.
In addition to a third straight IWLCA All-Region honor, Dykstra earned third team All-America laurels, becoming the third women’s lacrosse player in program history to be recognized as an All-American by the IWLCA. She added All-America honors from WomensLax.com and Synapse Sports. Dykstra was selected to the IWLCA North-South Senior All-Star Game and captured most valuable player honors in that game.
Dykstra was also honored with the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award following her graduation.
During her time at Lehigh, Dykstra competed for spots on the United States women’s developmental team. In 2013, Dykstra represented Israel at the Federation of International Lacrosse Women's World Cup in Canada.
“When I first came to Lehigh, I was looking for the right balance between a great business school and a very competitive sports program,” Dykstra said. “Lehigh was all of that and so much more. Being a part of the women’s lacrosse team was an unforgettable experience where I made lifelong friends. Lehigh challenged me both athletically and academically which helped shape who I am both individually and professionally today. I continue to carry with me through my everyday life the numerous lessons learned throughout my Lehigh playing career as a teammate, student and friend. I will forever be grateful to having these lasting memories of being part of this amazing Lehigh family.”
Dykstra graduated from Lehigh in 2011 with a degree in management. She works as the Senior Director of Commercial Management at Fidelity National Information Services.
Dykstra and her husband Chris Cecchetelli have a son James and a daughter Riley.
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