© 2026 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
For the past two seasons, the NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse season has ended with Tampa defeating Adelphi in the championship game. As the 2026 season begins, Tampa will once again be aiming at Adelphi … sort of.
The Panthers are the last Division II women’s program to win three straight NCAA titles, having done so from 2009-11. As the two-time defending champion, Tampa would become the first team to match that feat in 15 years if the Spartans are once again the last team standing May 23 in Rochester, N.Y., site of the 2026 D-II final four.
The good news for Tampa coach Kelly Gallagher is that her team returns a number of key players from last year’s championship squad that finished 21-1 overall with 18 wins over ranked opponents. The Spartans closed 2025 with 11 straight victories, including their 15-9 win over Adelphi in the final.
Of course, there’s a lot of lacrosse to be played before May, but the Spartans begin the 2026 campaign at the top of the USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Preseason Top 20, presented by CWENCH Hydration, as they begin their chase for history.
Compiled by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors, the rankings factor input from college coaches.
1. Tampa
2. Adelphi
3. Florida Southern
4. West Chester
5. Slippery Rock
6. Embry-Riddle
7. Maryville
8. Pace
9. UIndy
10. Lynn
11. Saint Leo
12. Flagler
13. East Stroudsburg
14. Regis
15. Grand Valley State
16. Lander
17. Wingate
18. Seton Hill
19. Dominican (N.Y.)
20. Saint Anselm
Also considered (alphabetical order): Bentley, Colorado Mesa, Kutztown, Rockhurst
1 . Tampa
The two-time defending national champs went wire-to-wire in 2025, starting the year as the preseason No. 1 and finishing in the same spot. With returning All-Americans Peyton Howell on attack, Isabella Avila on defense, and Savvy Barbosa in goal, the Spartans aim for a similar run.
2. Adelphi
If there’s anything to be learned about the Panthers, it’s that they can never be overlooked. As the most decorated team in Division II women’s lacrosse history with nine NCAA titles, they are always among the last few teams standing. Don’t bet against them.
3. Florida Southern
The Mocs were undefeated against everyone except Tampa last year, losing all three games against their Sunshine State Conference rivals. FSC’s last five losses, dating back to April 2024, have all come against Tampa.
4. West Chester
For the past two seasons, West Chester has carried an undefeated record into the NCAA tournament and had its season end in the Atlantic Region final. There’s plenty of returning talent to help the Rams avoid the regional trap for a third straight year, but the loss of All-America midfielder Keri Barnett to a season-ending injury during the fall will be a challenge.
5. Slippery Rock
The Rock enjoyed a historic 2025 campaign, not only making their first NCAA tournament appearance, but also advancing to the NCAA semifinals while setting a new school record for wins in a season. With 33 victories over the past two seasons, Slippery Rock can’t be called Cinderella any longer.
6. Embry-Riddle
The Eagles enjoyed a record-setting 2025 under first-year head coach Christina Nikolai, securing the program’s first NCAA tournament victory and earning the team’s highest-ever ranking in the national polls. All-America midfielder Eliana Enners could help lead them to a successful encore.
7. Maryville
The Saints have won 17, 18 and 19 games over the past three seasons. If that pattern continues, a 20th win in 2026 should lift the team to its first national semifinal. The addition of All-American transfer Paige Murphy helps form a strong 1-2 scoring punch alongside senior Helen Bae.
8. Pace
A pair of one-goal losses to NE-10 rival Adelphi provided plenty of May heartbreak, as the Pacers fell just shy in the conference championship game and again in the East Regional final. There’s plenty of talent returning, led by a trio of midfielders in Mackenzie Carita, Sasha Kulo and Annie Sheehan.
9. UIndy
The Greyhounds started slowly last year, standing 4-4 before winning 11 of their next 13 to return to the NCAA semifinals for the first time since their championship run in 2022. Senior All-American Olivia Bladon is one of the nation’s top midfielders, while Amanda Hurry and Hollis Rang anchor a strong defense.
10. Lynn
The Fighting Knights started 12-0 last year and earned their second straight NCAA tournament bid while posting eight wins over ranked opponents. Senior All-America midfielder Rebecca Clark is one of the best players in the Sunshine State Conference and the program’s all-time leader in caused turnovers and ground balls.
11. Saint Leo
The Lions are coming off back-to-back appearances in the Sunshine State Conference semifinals and hope to take the next step by reaching the NCAA tournament in 2026. Junior goalie Jessica Harclerode notched a career-high 166 saves last year and returns as the anchor on defense.
12. Flagler
The Saints are the three-time defending champs in the Gulf South Conference but have their sights set on making more noise in the South Region. Returning attacker Carley Tepel and defender Jenn Seebach headline a deep roster.
13. East Stroudsburg
The Warriors have two dominant forces to anchor each end of the field. Attacker Sadie Kauffman enjoyed a record-setting freshman campaign in 2025 with 103 goals and 129 points, while All-America goalie Abby Simonetti recorded 246 saves and a .560 save percentage.
14. Regis
The Rangers captured their sixth straight RMAC title and made their eighth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance last year. Led by returnees Shea Murphy at midfield and Brigit Goetsch in goal, they are once again the team to beat in the RMAC.
15. Grand Valley State
The Lakers didn’t miss a beat under new head coach Dominique Hamman in 2025, winning the GLIAC title and earning the program’s fourth straight NCAA bid. GVSU has 68 wins over the past four years, ranking among the most successful teams in the country.
16. Lander
The Bearcats have emerged as the top challenger to Flagler in the Gulf South Conference and set a new program record with 13 wins last season. A challenging non-conference schedule in 2026 includes games against Florida Southern, Tampa and Slippery Rock.
17. Wingate
The Bulldogs earned their second NCAA tournament bid last year while also finishing 11-0 in the SAC regular season. Junior Kathryn McCabe is one of the region’s top returning defenders.
18. Seton Hill
After winning the PSAC Western Division title for five straight years, the Griffins finished behind Slippery Rock last year. Returning All-American Mila Udovicic should help Seton Hill contend for top honors again this spring.
19. Dominican (N.Y.)
The Chargers set a new program record with 19 wins last year and won their third-straight CACC title. Returning senior Madelyn Grella led the nation with 91 assists and 175 points in 2025.
20. Saint Anselm
Last season, the Hawks won eight of their first nine games and eventually earned their first NCAA tournament berth since 2014. One of the priorities this spring will be finding a replacement for All-America goalie Elizabeth Driscoll.
Paul Ohanian has worked at USA Lacrosse since 2006 and is currently the senior manager of program content. Prior to joining USA Lacrosse, he served as SID at a Division III school with a strong lacrosse tradition and learned to appreciate the commitment and passion that athletes at all levels bring to the game.
