Ella Royer dodges a defender on her way to the goal in a CACC contest against Holy Family University.
When Ella Royer arrived at Wilmington University from Alberta, Canada, she was unsure how quickly she’d find her footing, both academically and as a member of the Wildcat women’s lacrosse team. Four years later, she leaves as a record-setting NCAA Division II scorer who balanced elite athletic ability with academic accomplishment, earning a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science and a certificate in Criminal Justice while building a second family far from home.
For Royer, the academic mission was always central. “Earning a degree was obviously the most important part about coming to WilmU,” she says. “However, the past four years have given me so much more than that.”
And her academic journey is not over. “I’m planning on continuing my education and getting a Bachelor of Education back home,” she says.
The 5-foot-2 midfielder quickly became one of the most feared scorers in Division II history, despite facing defenses that focused on her. Says her coach, Kevin Day: “Ella’s stats speak for themselves, but what I would like everyone to realize is that she broke scoring records while spending most of her career in a face-guarded situation. Most teams would put a player on her tightly to try to deny her the ball, but her speed and IQ allowed her to get away from those defenders, and her teammates were always keeping an eye out for when she came screaming through the critical scoring area.”
Day says Royer’s impact extended beyond the playing field. “Ella was a pleasure to have on the team for four years,” he says. “Not only because of her ridiculous athletic ability, but because she’s a hard worker and is one of those players who makes her teammates want to work harder. Although she came in with some crazy skill to start, she remained very coachable and continued to get better every time she stepped on the field.”
Off the field, Royer found a community that shaped her personally and academically. “Playing lacrosse here has been a life-changing experience,” she says. “I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime. As someone from so far away without a huge support system in the area, my teammates and their families became my family.”
She credits the Wildcat lacrosse program with teaching her leadership, resilience, and the ability to balance academics with her athletic pursuits.
Her next chapter includes continuing her work with the Robin Hood Association, a nonprofit that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she has already spent four years. She’s also still competing, now with the Mimico Mountaineers women’s box lacrosse team in Ontario.
“I have learned so much at WilmU, academically but also just about life,” Royer says. “I’ll take that with me into my next chapter.”
—Bob Yearick
Want to read more in-depth stories? Explore our latest magazine articles.
Ella Royer dodges a defender on her way to the goal in a CACC contest against Holy Family University.
When Ella Royer arrived at Wilmington University from Alberta, Canada, she was unsure how quickly she’d find her footing, both academically and as a member of the Wildcat women’s lacrosse team. Four years later, she leaves as a record-setting NCAA Division II scorer who balanced elite athletic ability with academic accomplishment, earning a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science and a certificate in Criminal Justice while building a second family far from home.
For Royer, the academic mission was always central. “Earning a degree was obviously the most important part about coming to WilmU,” she says. “However, the past four years have given me so much more than that.”
And her academic journey is not over. “I’m planning on continuing my education and getting a Bachelor of Education back home,” she says.
The 5-foot-2 midfielder quickly became one of the most feared scorers in Division II history, despite facing defenses that focused on her. Says her coach, Kevin Day: “Ella’s stats speak for themselves, but what I would like everyone to realize is that she broke scoring records while spending most of her career in a face-guarded situation. Most teams would put a player on her tightly to try to deny her the ball, but her speed and IQ allowed her to get away from those defenders, and her teammates were always keeping an eye out for when she came screaming through the critical scoring area.”
Day says Royer’s impact extended beyond the playing field. “Ella was a pleasure to have on the team for four years,” he says. “Not only because of her ridiculous athletic ability, but because she’s a hard worker and is one of those players who makes her teammates want to work harder. Although she came in with some crazy skill to start, she remained very coachable and continued to get better every time she stepped on the field.”
Off the field, Royer found a community that shaped her personally and academically. “Playing lacrosse here has been a life-changing experience,” she says. “I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime. As someone from so far away without a huge support system in the area, my teammates and their families became my family.”
She credits the Wildcat lacrosse program with teaching her leadership, resilience, and the ability to balance academics with her athletic pursuits.
Her next chapter includes continuing her work with the Robin Hood Association, a nonprofit that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she has already spent four years. She’s also still competing, now with the Mimico Mountaineers women’s box lacrosse team in Ontario.
“I have learned so much at WilmU, academically but also just about life,” Royer says. “I’ll take that with me into my next chapter.”
—Bob Yearick
Want to read more in-depth stories? Explore our latest magazine articles.
