Way-Early 2027 Rankings: No. 5-No. 1 (Division I Women)

It’s time to look ahead 2027, even if next season’s first lacrosse game is six months away.

USA Lacrosse Magazine will spend the week counting down from No. 25 to No. 1 in our way-early rankings for the 2027 NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse season, concluding with five frontrunners who expect to make it to Memorial Day weekend.

Way-Early 2027 Rankings
25-21 | 20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1

5. Navy

2026 record: 20-2 (8-1 Patriot League)

Last seen: Even with Maryland 9-9 entering the fourth quarter with the Terps puling away for a 14-10 in the NCAA quarterfinals, Timchal Bowl edition

Notable departures: Maggie DeFabio, M; Emma Kennedy, A; Maura Murphy, A; Bella Paradiso, M; Ava Yovino, A

Notable additions: Page Kellershon, A; Kerrigan Poindexter, M

Initial forecast: Navy was a buzzy dark horse final four prediction last year, and were one poor fourth quarter short of advancing to championship weekend against Maryland. Rinse, wash and repeat in 2027? Maybe.

Only two Tewaaraton finalists from last season will return next spring. North Carolina’s Chloe Humphrey is one. Navy’s Alyssa Chung is the other. Chung, a true junior, posted team bests of 84 goals, 34 assists and 118 points last season, becoming the Mids’ first-ever Tewaaraton finalist. She also finished eighth nationally in goals per game (3.82), leading a third-ranked Navy scoring offense (15.64).

The creative lefty with a knack for postgame interviews may carry more of a (boat)load next year — if that’s possible. Navy graduated second-leading goal scorer Emma Kennedy (53 goals) and Yovino, who was second in assists (29).  But Mikyala Williams (38 goals, 25 assists), Taylor Miles (50 goals, 22 assists) and Maggie DeFabio (29 goals, 12 assists, 14 caused turnovers, 37 ground balls) are among the laundry list of returners, and Navy brings back nearly 63% of its goal scoring from 2026.

Defensively, Navy’s solid. Goalie Felicia Giglio (8.84 goals against average, 42.8% save percentage) is back, as are starters Jaclyn Johns (20 caused turnovers, 30 ground balls), Landen Cain (12 caused turnovers, 29 ground balls) and Jalin Jenkins (10 caused turnovers).

Navy will have to figure out how to fill the gap in the circle left behind by Maura Murphy, who totaled 177 draws as a senior. For her part, Yovino posted 57 draws. Williams had 41 draws and may take on a larger role.

4. Stony Brook

2026 record: 19-3 (7-0 CAA)

Last seen: Walking off the field in disbelief after squandering a four-goal third-quarter lead (and one-goal advantage with 88 seconds left) to Johns Hopkins, losing on a buzzer-beater by Taylor Hoss in the NCAA quarterfinals

Notable departures: Alexa Constant, D; Jordan Forte, M; Allie Masera, D; Katie Walsh, A

Notable additions: Alex Ante, M; Sofia Chepenik, A (USF); Josie Lakosky, A (Northern Michigan); Royce Hesterberg, G

Initial forecast: The Seawolves were less than two minutes from their first final four when “almost” struck again in the form of a Hopkins comeback that head coach Joe Spallina said he’d “take to his grave.”  

That was May. This is July. And next season is upon us. The Seawolves will look to turn last year’s heartbreak into a rally cry to make history of their own this year.  

They’ll have the firepower to do so, returning their top five scorers in Tewaaraton candidate Isabella Caporuscio (68 goals, 19 assists, 63 draw controls, 50 caused turnovers, 56 ground balls), Mirabella Altebrando (21 goals, 59 assists), Julia Fusco (54 goals, 12 assists), Keira Martin (29 goals, 36 assists) and Haydin Eisfeld (34 goals, 16 assists). They also add fifth-year Sofia Chepenik, who scored 51 goals at USF last season. Spallina believes Chepenik will set the Seawolves up to be a more free-flowing, creative offense.

Josie Lakosky, who scored 219 goals in three seasons at Northern Michigan (including 105 goals last year), also joins SBU. Draws leader Braeden Siverson (177) also returns.

Defensively, it’s a mixed bag for Stony Brook, which ranked fifth in Division I in scoring defense (7.73). It loses starters in Alexa Constant (18 caused turnovers, 31 ground balls) and Allie Masera (21 caused turnovers, 44 ground balls) but bring back Hailey Hubner (73 caused turnovers, 58 ground balls) and goalie Natalia Altebrando (42.1% save percentage, 7.14 goals against average).

3. Maryland

2026 record: 18-4 (6-2 Big Ten)

Last seen: Playing in its first final four since 2022 (and 14th overall) but losing to UNC 16-6

Notable departures: Keeley Block, A; Jordyn Lipkin, A; Kori Edmondson, M; Kennedy Major, D; Neve O’Ferrall, D; Kristen Shanahan, A; Maddy Sterling, D

Notable additions: Kira Balis, D/DS (Clemson); Toby Bergstrom, D; Ashley Egbert, G; Michaela Fay, M; Kit Laake, D; Gianna Monaco, A (Florida); Cayden Reese, A

Initial forecast: Maryland turns the page to 2027 with a very different makeup than that with which it ended 2026. The Terps lose their five leading scorers and three starting defenders from last year’s team, which advanced to the national semifinals and finished as runners-up in the Big Ten. Three of four starting defenders are also gone.

But the Terps bring in firepower on offense, notably Gianna Monaco. Monaco led Florida with 73 goals and 95 points in 2025, but decided before the 2026 season began to sit out the year. Her ability to score, dodge and lead will help the Terps bridge the gap between last year’s veteran stars and a new crop of talented rookies, headlined by USA Lacrosse High School National Player of the Year Cayden Reese, a lefty attacker is head coach Cathy Reese's daughter. The younger Reese will boasts field vision and the ability to cut, feed and score. She can also take the draw.

The Terps are already well set up in the circle with Kayla Gilmore (125 draw controls) back and Kira Balis transferring from Clemson. Balis recorded a program-record 287 draws with the Tigers.

First-team All-American goalie JJ Suriano (10.03 goals against average, 51.0% save percentage) returns. She’ll have a largely new unit in front of her with Kennedy Major, Neve O’Ferrall and Maddy Sterling gone. Annabella Schafer (22 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers) is the lone returning starting defender. Balis could also see time on D.

The good news for Maryland is that rival Northwestern arguably loses more. The Terps could hang with the Wildcats and reclaim their Big Ten title. The bad news is that other Big Ten programs, including a Hopkins team that nearly beat Maryland in the Big Ten semifinals, return more veterans and are knocking on the door. Nothing is guaranteed.  

2. Northwestern

2026 record: 19-3 (7-1 Big Ten)

Last seen: As the last team standing, flipping the script on UNC in a 14-11 national championship game victory, the ninth Division I title in program history as Kelly Amonte Hiller surpassed her mentor Cindy Timchal with the most championship rings among Division I head coaches

Notable departures: Olivia Adamson, A; Jenika Cuocco, G; Maddie Epke, A; Annabel Child, M; Madison Taylor, A

Notable additions: Caleigh Cummisky, A (Bucknell); Megan Gallagher, G; Rylee Roth, M; Paige Selhorn (Cincinnati)

Initial forecast: A new face — or new faces — will emerge as the Wildcats’ top offensive threat come spring, with Tewaaraton winner and Northwestern all-timer Madison Taylor (97 goals, 42 assists, 19 caused turnovers, 23 ground balls, 62 draw controls) gone. Beyond her ability to score and feed, Taylor was a key player on the draw. Maddie Epke (82 draw controls, 21 goals, 26 assists) was also pivotal in the circle, though Northwestern welcomes back Madison Smith (129 draw controls, 25 caused turnovers, 32 ground balls).  

Back to the attack, though: Rising junior Aditi Foster (54 goals, 15 assists) and rising senior Taylor LaPointe (36 goals, 22 assists) represent the top veterans who will likely take at least part of Taylor’s mantle. And the Wildcats may have unearthed a pair of gems from the transfer portal in rising junior Paige Selhorn (47 goals, 43 assists), an All-Big 12 selection at Cincinnati, and rising sophomore Caleigh Cummisky (49 goals, 17 assists as a freshman at Bucknell).

Defensively, Smith’s return is crucial. The Wildcats also bring back Mary Carroll (27 caused turnovers, 29 ground balls), who famously held Chloe Humphrey to two goals on 11 shots in the championship game. Defender Mckenzie Brown (17 caused turnovers, 20 ground balls) and Jaylen Rosga (29 caused turnovers, 29 ground balls) also figure to be key contributors on defense again.

The veteran presence back there will be necessary with goalie Jenika Cuocco (9.09 goals against average, 50.1% save percentage) gone. Redshirt senior Francesca Argentieri, a former high school All-American from Syracuse, N.Y., may finally get her chance to start. Northwestern also welcomes four-star recruit and local product Megan Gallagher from New Tier (Ill). Gallagher is an athletic stopper with a penchant for holding strong as the last line of defense.

1. North Carolina

2026 record: 19-2 (10-0 ACC)

Last seen: Losing to Northwestern in the national championship game 14-11

Notable departures: Darcy Felter, A; Sam Forrest, D; Sarah Gresham, DS; Caroline Godine, A; Kiley Mottice, M; Brooklyn Walker-Welch, D

Notable additions: Leele Bigelow, M; Sophia Buffardi, M; Kady Duffy, M; Kate Galica, M, (Virginia); Gaelle Jones, D; Ashton Kilfoil, D; Jenna Lundstedt, M/DS (USC); Emma McCarthy, M; Alivian Parmer, M; Cece Powell, A; Alexia Reber, D (from Syracuse); Bailey Redford, G; Elizabeth Smith, M

Initial forecast: North Carolina knows full well that preseason predictions mean little in May (especially ones published in July or August). So, is the cash register coming back after an unexpected runner-up finish? Who knows. But UNC will certainly cash in on the returns of the majority of its scoring, headlined by superstar Chloe Humphrey. The Tar Heels return three of their top five goal scorers in Humphrey (109 goals, 50 assists, 21 caused turnovers, 19 ground balls), Addison Pattillo (63 goals, 14 assists) and Eliza Osburn (32 goals, 18 assists). Two-way midfielder Kate Levy also returns, and the Tar Heels add in Virginia midfielder and draw stud Kate Galica (36 goals, 19 assists, 22 caused turnovers, 32 ground balls, 144 draw controls).  

Galica’s draws will be clutch with Sarah Gresham (99 draw controls) gone. Kaleigh Harden (99 draw controls, 23 ground balls, 23 caused turnovers) will also likely play a role in the circle and on defense.

If UNC has any holes, it’s on defense, where the Tar Heels will be sans stalwarts Sam Forrest and Brooklyn Walker-Welch. Walker-Welch missed about half of last season with an injury, so UNC is used to playing and winning without her. The Tar Heels will likely get Ella Traggio back from injury. Traggio started all 22 games during UNC’s championship run in 2025, tallying 34 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers. Defensive-minded midfielder GraceAnn Leonard (23 caused turnovers, 34 ground balls, 24 draw controls) could also be key. Lexi Reber, a defender who suffered two season-ending injuries in two years at Syracuse, has also transferred.

What will come of the goalie match-up between Betty Nelson (7.83  goals against average, 40.0 save percentage) and Lexi Zenk (8.47 goals against average, 46.9% save percentage) also remains to be seen. Both are rising juniors who saw significant minutes last year, with Nelson starting every game.

And we haven’t even discussed UNC’s recruiting class. It’s top-ranked in the land and includes attacker Cece Powell (No. 3 overall recruit per Inside Lacrosse) and midfielder Sophia Buffardi (No. 4), to name just a couple of the four- and five-star players slated to arrive in Chapel Hill this fall.