Way-Early 2026 Division I Women's Rankings: 20-16

USA Lacrosse Magazine’s way-early look at the 2026 women’s season continues Tuesday with a trio of teams who experienced letdowns of sorts in 2025 — plus a couple Patriot League teams looking to sustain momentum. Today’s segment: Nos. 20-16.

Previously: Nos. 25-21

20. Denver

2025 Record: 14-6 (5-1 Big East)

Last seen: A tight first half against Stanford in the first round of the NCAA tournament ended in a 4-4 tie, but Denver couldn’t overcome an all-out second-half surge from the Cardinal, falling 10-4.

Notable departures: Lauren Black, A; Emelia Bohi, G; Caroline Colimore, M; Maddie Montgomery, M; Sarah Pokorny, D; Reagan Wilson, A

Notable additions: Chloe Silverstein, G

Initial forecast: The Pios used the transfer portal to bring in Division III players like attacker Jane Earley of Middlebury and Maddie Montgomery of William Smith the last two offseasons. Thus far, they’ve been quiet on that front, but there are cleats to fill.

For starters, Denver’s ordinarily stout zone defense will lose some critical contributors, including four-year starting netminder Emelia Bohi. Four-star goalie Chloe Silverstein is one possibility to fill that role. Defender Sarah Pokorny (36CT, 31GB) and midfielder Maddie Montgomery (33CT, 32GB) were disruptive on the defensive end but have graduated. Caroline Colimore (35DC, 15GB, 11CT), a defensive and draw-minded middie, also departs. Megan Klingenberg (25CT, 44GB), Landry Grover and Carly Frohnapfel (19CT, 18GB, 14DC) should provide stability.

Offensively, the Pioneers bid farewell to fixtures Lauren Black (55G, 21A) and Regan Wilson (33G, 35A) but will welcome back Olivia Ripple (63G, 13A). Odd as it is to say, given Denver’s defensive reputation, the offense might have fewer question marks entering 2026. One thing is for sure, though: there’s no indication that the Pios will loosen their grip on the Big East. How they fare on the national scene is something we’ll need to watch develop.

19. Army

2025 Record: 13-4 (8-1 Patriot)

Last seen: Army was one of the last teams to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament but fell to eventual quarterfinalist Penn in the first round, 16-6.

Notable departures: Haley Kampert, D; Gabrielle Mirak, M

Notable additions: Jessica Black, G; Maura Rigley, D

Initial forecast: Army brings back the majority of its roster from last year’s NCAA tournament appearance, including all four leading scorers and starting goalie Lindsey Serafine (10.36GAA, .442SV%). Attacker Allison Reilly (60G, 42A) and do-everything midfielder Brigid Duffy (64G, 22A, 94DC, 32CT, 47GB) headline the list of returning offensive threats. Chloe Garret (18G, 20A) and Lily Valentini (17G, 11A) will keep defenses on their toes, and Sarah Chernik (67DC) will take the pressure off Duffy in the circle.

Can the Black Knights pull a Navy and upend perennial favorite Loyola? The Greyhounds — as we’re about to get to — have far more roster upheaval than the troops. But coaches will often tell you that doing something for the first time, which would be the case should Army take the Patriot League crown, is the hardest. But Army “kids” thrive doing hard things and are poised to take on the challenge.

18. Loyola

2025 Record: 13-7 (9-0 Patriot League)

Last seen: Losing to Stony Brook, 11-8, in an NCAA tournament first-round game in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Notable departures: Chase Boyle, M; Georgia Latch, A; Lauren Spence, G; Gabby Stapleton, A; Lily Osborne, D; Ellie Rinehart, D; Ellie Wiechert, D

Notable additions: Mae Murphy, M; Taylor Santos, A

Initial forecast: It’ll be open season for key spots when Loyola hits the restart button this fall. The Greyhounds face the tall task of replacing multiple starting defenders, leading scorer Georgia Latch and netminder Lauren Spence. But the Hounds will likely need a bevy of players to fill the gaping hole — ditch, really — left by the graduation of Chase Boyle. A true two-way middie in a landscape full of attackers with “Ms” next to their names on rosters, Boyle shined on offense, defense and in the circle for Loyola during her four-year tenure.

It's not that Loyola has no one coming back. Elisa Faklaris poured in 51 goals last year, and Mim Suares-Jury (26G, 11A, 17DC, 16CT, 25GB) showed promise on both ends of the field as a rookie. But the Greyhounds enter the year with more questions than answers for the first time in a while, largely because the answer was often “Boyle,” and she’s gone.

17. Stony Brook

2025 Record: 16-5 (8-0 CAA)

Last seen: Exiting the second round of the NCAA tournament after pushing Boston College in a 10-7 loss.

Notable departures: Casey Colbert, A; Alexandra Fusco, A; Avery Hines, D; Molly Laforge, M; Courtney Maclay, A; Riley McDonald, A; Charlotte Wilmoth, A

Notable additions: Reese Hjertaas, M (Limestone); Erika Kreuscher, A; Olivia Liddell, M

Initial forecast: Entering last season, discerning eyes looked to see how the Seawolves would replace 2024 Tewaaraton Award finalist Ellie Masera. Casey Colbert, Charlotte Wilmoth, Riley McDonald and Alexandra Fusco answered the bell on attack, combining for 328 points, including 179 goals. (Colbert led SBU with 57 assists and transferred to Boston College for a fifth year.) The problem? All of them are gone. Isabella Caporuscio, who produced 49 goals and 19 assists during her sophomore year, stands to lead the offense.

The Seawolves are in better shape on the draw with rising junior Braeden Siverson (110DC) back. Defensively, they’ll move on from Avery Hines, a disruptor who caused a gaudy 74 turnovers in 2025. Former Limestone midfielder Reese Hjertaas (59G, 24A, 35DC, 16CT) should make an impact all over the field if she seamlessly slides into Division I.

Ultimately, Stony Brook should be fine in the CAA (and their primary foil, Drexel goalie Jenika Cuocco, transferred to Northwestern). But the Seawolves uncharacteristically failed to score a win over a Top-20 opponent until May (Loyola in the NCAA tournament). The veterans are no doubt set to enter fall ball on a mission to change that, but they’ll need help.

16. Navy

2025 Record: 15-6 (7-2 Patriot)

Last seen: Falling just short against Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 11-8.

Notable departures: Alyssa Daley, D; Tori DiCarlo, A; Lola Leone, A; Emily Messinese, A

Notable additions: Angelina “Cheeto” Price, G

Initial forecast: Navy overcame the Patriot League’s biggest hurdle: Beating Loyola in the conference championship game. It marked the first time the Greyhounds had gone down in the tournament since Navy did the same in 2018, the same year the Mids advanced to the final four.

Navy graduated some star power — Alyssa Daley’s 236 draws and Emily Messinese’s 43 goals will be missed. But they also have experienced talent all over the field, including leading scorer Alyssa Chung (66G, 15A), Mikayla Williams (51G, 14A) and Emma Kennedy (43G, 11A). Ava Yovino, who sat out 2024 and much of preseason practice leading into the 2025 season with an injury, will also get a normal tune-up. Defender Jaclyn Johns and midfielder Maggie DeFabio (21G, 12A, 20CT, 30GB) also return.

Plus, Felicia Giglio (10.22GAA, .415 SV%) will likely reclaim her starting spot in net. Giglio shined as a three-time All-Suffolk County performer at Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.). Next year, she’ll be joined by a fellow All-Suffolk goalie, Angelina “Cheeto” Price (nickname Cheeto, yes, after the snack). The difference? Price starred between the pipes in boys’ lacrosse at Shoreham-Wading River, becoming (with 99.9% certainty, per a Newsday report) the first girl to earn All-County status in boys’ lacrosse in Suffolk history.

That said, Army also welcomes back a talented group, and Loyola isn’t going anywhere. The Patriot League is likely set for a three-team race, and it’ll be fun to see who comes out on top.