NAPLES, Fla. -- Ten years ago, Georgia won its first and only WCLA Division I championship. Many traditionalists know that the 10th anniversary gift is usually tin or aluminum, but the Bulldogs are more than happy to accept a glass substitute this year – the WCLA champions’ trophy.   

The special glassware is headed back to Athens because Georgia celebrated its 2016 title by adding a second WCLA championship Friday evening with a 12-9 victory over Clemson.   

NAPLES, Fla. – For a period of about three years in the late 2010s, Denver ruled supreme in the WCLA’s Division II ranks. The Pioneers regularly owned the top spot in the weekly rankings, made three straight trips to the national championship game from 2016-2018, and claimed two WCLA titles during those years.  

While Denver has remained among the most competitive teams in recent years and earned its fifth straight WCLA tournament appearance in 2026, they have also watched newer programs emerge as legitimate contenders.  

NAPLES, Fla. - No. 1 seed Denver and No. 7 seed Tampa charged into Thursday’s WCLA Division II Championship Game with semifinal victories Wednesday at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 

In the first game, senior midfielder Reagan Baldwin scored two of her game-high four goals in the opening three minutes to help No. 1 seed Denver jump to an early lead that they never relinquished, eventually claiming a 10-5 win over No. 3 UC San Diego. The Pioneers (13-1) carry a nine-game winning streak into the championship game. 

SPARKS, Md. — For the first time in the 26-year history of the USA Lacrosse Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) National Championships, the annual championship tournament is coming to Florida, with the nation’s top collegiate club teams gathering next week at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples.  

The WCLA national tournament features 16 Division I women’s club teams and 12 Division II teams competing for their respective championships, May 12-15.  

The 2026 USA Lacrosse WCLA Championship Tournament kicks off on Tuesday, May 12 with all 16 Division I & 12 Division II teams seeing action at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida. 

The four-day event features a full schedule of games each day, culminating with the Division II championship game on Thursday, May 14 (7 pm) and the Division I championship game on Friday, May 15 (5 pm).

WCLA Division I - Opening Round Games – Tuesday, May 12

SPARKS, Md.  — UC Santa Barbara has received the number one seed in the Division I bracket of the 2026 USA Lacrosse Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) National Championships, while Denver Club earned the No. 1 seed in the Division II field.

The WCLA National Championships showcase the nation’s premier non-varsity collegiate women’s teams and will be played May 12-15 at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the weekly WCLA rankings is seeing new teams entering the poll and being recognized for their achievements. Sometimes, it’s the return of a program after a period of absence, as we have seen this year with No. 1 ranked UC Santa Barbara.

In other cases, it’s the emergence of a program that has never been in the spotlight. The best example of that in 2026 is Auburn, which was unranked in the preseason, entered the ranking in Week 2, and has hovered in the 14-16 range in the poll for much of the season.

The last two undefeated teams in the WCLA’s Division I ranks occupy the top two spots in this week’s Top 20 poll, with UC Santa Barbara (15-0) maintaining its hold on number one and defending champion Boston College (6-0) climbing to number two. The Eagles picked up league wins over No. 19 Providence and UMass last weekend to jump two spots this week.  

Florida Club, Clemson Club and Michigan Club round out this week’s top five.  

Undefeated UC Santa Barbara and Florida Club continue to hold the top two positions in the latest WCLA Division I ranking, released today. The Gauchos and Gators are a combined 25-0 this season and two of six undefeated teams in this week’s Top 20.

No. 3 Clemson, No. 4 Boston College, and No. 5 Michigan round out the top five.

The top nine teams remain unchanged at the top of the latest USA Lacrosse WCLA Division I Top 20, including No. 1 UC Santa Barbara, which improved to 15-0 with another victory over a ranked team, downing No. 11 San Diego State, 16-6. The Gauchos are one of six undefeated teams in this week’s ranking.

No. 2 Florida (10-0) strengthened its lead in the SWLL with divisional wins over Florida State and Alabama. Michigan remains in the third position, while defending champion Boston College Club and Clemson are tied for fourth this week.