HADDONFIELD, N.J. – Marymount, in the coaches eyes, looks the most likely to come out on top, repeating its 2025 success. Landing at the top of the 2026 Atlantic East Conference Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll, the Saints tallied 24 total points, receiving four first place nods.
Entering into her 12th season in charge of the Saints, Head Coach Kate Athing comes off the back of a 2025 season that saw her staff earn Co-Coaching Staff of the Year honors after going 17-3, posting a perfect 5-0 in conference play. 2025 First Team All-Conference selection Tess Valentino scored 72 goals last time out and returns for her senior year, eyeing a third All-Conference selection and another playoff run. Senior Natalia Ortiz will look to continue upon her strong run of form last year, a season in which she nearly tripled her points from the year prior. With several key pieces of last year’s championship team having graduated, there is plenty of room for new faces to come to the forefront for Marymount.
Marywood landed second, totaling 20 total points and one first place vote. The Pacers went 3-2 in conference play last year and were named Co-Coaching Staff of the Year, with Krista Strausser entering into her third season ahead of the 2026 campaign. Three of the five First Team All-Conference selections return this spring, with Natalie Yilanjian (attack), Avery Meighan (midfield), and Kaitlyn Smith (midfield). Yilanjian totaled 60 points off 44 goals and 16 assists while causing 15 turnovers. Meighan scored 57 goals and dished out 22 assists, good for 79 points, along with scooping up 55 ground balls and causing 23 turnovers. Recording the most points of the trio was Smith, who had 83 points off 61 goals and 22 assists.
The Knights of Neumann received one first place vote, with a total of 19 points, placing them third in the poll. After going 4-1 in conference play last year, the Knights suffered a loss in the conference championship match, but still had a season full of memories under Head Coach Jackie Neary, who enters into her 30th season at the helm. 2025 All Conference First-Team selection Alena Catka will look to continue her attack prowess. The junior started and played in all 18 games last year, recording 78 points from 59 goals and 19 assists, adding 13 caused turnovers and scooping up 34 ground balls. Second-Team selections Krista Geibler and Molly Schmeltzer return alongside Catka this spring.
Following Neumann, in fourth place, was Immaculata who received eleven total points. The Mighty Macs will be led from the back, with 2025 All Conference Second-Team goalkeeper Abigail Guarneri returning for her senior season. Starting all 17 games last spring, Guarneri recorded 185 saves, seeing her goals against average continually improve across her last three seasons. Head Coach Brittney Cozentino will begin her third season at Immaculata this year, looking to improve upon the 1-4 conference record from 2025.
Gwynedd Mercy landed fifth, receiving 10 total points. The Griffins will be highlighted by 2025 Rookie of the Year, Elena Colliluori, who started all 18 games last year. Colliluori found the back of the net 28 times, provided five assists, totaling 33 points, and recording a staggering 74 draw controls. Going 2-3 in conference play, Head Coach Meghan Sacks guided the Griffins to a playoff berth, securing the fourth seed. Sacks will also be returning two All Conference Second-Team selections in defender Teagan O’Neill and attacker Rebecca Gordon.
Rounding out the bunch was Centenary, receiving six points. The Cyclones will remain hopeful, with a good mix of fresh faces and tenured experience, after a rough inaugural AEC slate last year as Head Coach Alex Berdej enters into her fourth season at the helm.
Non-conference play begins on February 14, with Marywood opening play. Neumann opens its season on February 17, with Marymount and Gwynedd Mercy starting on February 18. Immaculata kicks off its season on February 21, with Centenary opening play on March 4.
Conference competition starts on March 28 with Centenary traveling to Gwynedd, Immaculata hosting Marywood, and Marymount going to Neumann.
The 2026 Atlantic East Tournament is set to begin with the semifinals on Saturday, April 25, and the championship match on Friday, May 1.
Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Marymount - 24 (4)
2. Marywood - 20 (1)
3. Neumann - 19 (1)
4. Immaculata - 11
5. Gwynedd Mercy - 10
6. Centenary - 6
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising eight institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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