The 2002 softball team became the first team at the College, and the first ever Midwest Conference program, to play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III championship game.

The Foresters began the 2002 season by defeating Ithaca College 10-5 and winning six of their first 12 contests. The team prevailed in 17 of 21 games in April to finish the regular season 23-10. Lake Forest was 10-3 in the Midwest Conference and hosted the MWC Championship Tournament, where they outscored their three opponents 14-1 to capture the title. The Foresters traveled to Illinois Wesleyan for the NCAA Regional Tournament, where they scored 17 runs while allowing just one in three more victories. The national finals were played in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with Lake Forest well-represented by cheering parents, athletic department staff, and other fans. The Foresters fell 1-0 to Emory (Ga.) in the opening round of the double-elimination event, but stormed through the losers bracket, eliminating half of the eight-team field along the way. After a 6-3 win over Western Connecticut State and a 6-0 rout of Salisbury (Mass.), the Foresters used walk-off home runs to knock off Pacific Lutheran (Ore.) 3-2 and Emory 1-0. A Lake Forest victory over Ithaca started the season and a 4-2 triumph over the Bombers, who were previously undefeated in Eau Claire, forced a final championship game between the two teams. Ithaca prevailed 1-0 and the Foresters finished as the national runners-up with an overall record of 34-12.

The victory total was one of 25 single-season team and individual program records broken or tied during the season and Lake Forest players and coaches received several awards. Pitcher Nancy Findeisen was the Foresters’ Most Valuable Player and a Third Team All-American selection while second baseman Alissa Mildebrath was named MWC South Division Player of the Year. Findeisen and Mildebrath were joined on the All-MWC South team by catcher Jenn Reifenberg and shortstop Tina Koludrovic and all four players, along with pitcher Leigh Anne Furgerson, were National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region selections. The players listed above, along with third baseman Robyn Slater and outfielder Kristin Brand, were recognized for their strong postseason performance as five Foresters were named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament team and four earned the same award at the National Tournament. Head Coach Dianne Kanney was named 2002 MWC South Coach of the Year and was joined by assistants Chris Pier and Jill Popovich on the NFCA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year.

Picture Description:
Front Row: Kristin Brand, Chris Laurine, Jenn Reifenberg, Erin Valentour, Nancy Findeisen. Middle Row: Leigh Anne Furgerson, Justeen Streich, Robyn Slater, Kristen Feeney, Hannah Starck, Megan Gibson, Shannon Clerkin. Back Row: Assistant Coach Chris Pier, Head Athletic Trainer Mike Gilboe, Head Coach Diane Kanney, Alissa Mildebrath, Shanon Joselane, Tina Koludrovic. Not Pictured: Carly Gilbert, Assistant Coach Jill Popovich.