Women's Lacrosse

2026 WIAC Women’s Lacrosse Preview

MADISON, Wis.--The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced it preview and predictions for the 2026 women’s lacrosse season. The predictions were voted on by the head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Colorado College is projected to secure its third consecutive regular-season title. The Tigers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III championship a year ago after winning their second straight WIAC tournament title. Colorado College welcomes back Charlotte Iler (2025 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year), Sofia Mancino (2025 WIAC Midfielder of the Year) and Cassidy Schnaufer (2025 WIAC Defensive Player of the Year).
 
The Tigers, who enter the 2026 campaign ranked No. 22 in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Preseason Poll, have not lost a conference contest in the last two years (15-0).
 
College of Saint Benedict (Minn.) is pegged for second in the conference race. The Bennies bring back Ava Mosley, who claimed WIAC Newcomer of the Year accolades a year ago.
 
The remaining order in the conference predictions features: UW-Eau Claire (third); UW-River Falls (fourth); UW-La Crosse (fifth); UW-Stout (sixth); Hamline University (seventh); UW-Stevens Point (eighth); and Augsburg University (ninth).
 
The 2026 season also welcomes a new head coach to the conference as Ashley Johnson takes on the lead role at Colorado College. She spent the last four years at the top assistant for the Tigers.
 
The eight-game conference schedule begins on March 11. The top-six teams in the standings will secure a spot in the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s) that will be conducted April 29, May 1 and May 3. All games will be played at the higher seed, unless Colorado College is the higher seed, the Minnesota/Wisconsin institution will host. The winner of the conference tournament receives an automatic NCAA bid.

 
2026 Preseason Predictions (Voted on by WIAC head coaches and sports information directors)
 
2025 Record
1. Colorado College (18-4 overall, 9-0 WIAC)
2. College of Saint Benedict (11-6, 7-2)
3. UW-Eau Claire (11-7, 7-2)
4. UW-River Falls (12-5, 6-3)
5. UW-La Crosse (10-7, 6-3)
6. UW-Stout (8-6, 3-6)
7. Hamline University (6-9, 4-5)
8. UW-Stevens Point (3-14, 2-7)
9. Augsburg University (0-11, 0-9)

 
Team Capsules
 
Augsburg University (Minn.)
Head Coach:  Hemie Collier; 2nd season at AU; 0-11
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  9/8
Starters Returning/Lost:  6/6
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Nicole Schuster, Sr., G (2025-Honorable)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Astrid Clem, So., A/M; Melanie Delestrez, Sr., D; Isabella Kohout, Sr., M; Abby McGovern, Sr., M
 
 
College of Saint Benedict (Minn.)
Head Coach:  Patrick Crandall; 4th season at CSB; 31-14
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  15/8
Starters Returning/Lost:  8/4
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Sami Hackley, Sr., D (2025-Second); Ava Mosley, So., A (2025-First/Newcomer of the Year) 
 
Notable Returning Players:  Merrill Delich, So., M; Hannah Kurowski, So., A; Kamryn Peterson, So., M; Lizzie Schrubbe, Jr., A
 
 
Colorado College
Head Coach:  Ashley Johnson; 1st season at CC; 0-0
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  15/7
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/5
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Frances Hansot, Jr., D (2025-Second); Charlotte Iler, Jr., A (2024-First/Newcomer of the Year, 2025-First/Offensive Player of the Year); Oliv Janerico, Jr., M (2025-Honorable); Sofia Mancino, Jr., M (2024-Second, 2025-First/Midfielder of the Year); Meilani Molina, Jr., M (2025-Second); Cassidy Schnaufer, Sr., G (2025-First/Defensive Player of the Year)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Grace Bean, Sr., A; Alyssa Kawala, Sr., D; Amanda Roan, Sr., D; Riley Sterling, So., M
 
 
Hamline University (Minn.)
Head Coach:  Adam Dobis; 4th season at HU; 19-27
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  NA
Starters Returning/Lost:  11/1
 
Returning All-WIAC:  None
 
Notable Returning Players:  Lola Brouwer, Jr., G; Courtney Parker, Sr., M; Aoi Suzuki, Sr., M; Sophie Warner, Sr., D
 
 
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach:  Dr. Courtney Puhl; 2nd season at UWEC; 2-2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  11/9
Starters Returning/Lost:  6/6
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Devon Crews, Sr., M (2024-Honorable, 2025-Honorable); Ellie Fisher, Jr., A (2025-Second); Reegan Werner, Sr., M (2024-First, 2025-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Paige Kiani, Jr., M; Victoria Shea, Jr., M; Jess Stiller, Jr., M/D
 
 
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach:  Nick Anagnostis; 2nd season at UWL; 10-7
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  18/4
Starters Returning/Lost:  10/2
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Anna Jenson, Sr., D (2024-Honorable); Megan Maloney, Sr., A (2024-Honorable, 2025-First); Gretchen McCann, Sr., D (2025-Second); Ava Schiltz, Sr., M (2024-First, 2025-First); Lydia Spencer, Sr., D (2024-Honorable)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Evie Brilz, Jr., A; Angie Olla, Sr., M; Stefani Rossi, Jr., G; Emily Wrobbel, Sr., A
 
 
UW-River Falls
Head Coach:  Talia Hayes; 5th season at UWRF; 51-19
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  23/4
Starters Returning/Lost:  12/0
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Lilah Gilyard, Sr., D (2024-Honorable, 2025-First); Brooke Glumack, Sr., A (2024-First, 2025-Honorable); Julia Hayek, Jr., D (2025-Second); Samantha Hayek, Sr., A (2024-First, 2025-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Cassie Johnson, Sr., D; Kinlee Knutson, Sr., M; Eleanor Thompson-Witt, Sr., D
 
 
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach:  Katie Lindsley; 2nd season at UWSP; 2-7
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  13/5
Starters Returning/Lost:  10/2
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Emily Griege, Jr., G (2024-Honorable, 2025-Second); Marissa Van Dyke, Jr., A (2024-Honorable, 2025-Honorable)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Paige Allen, Sr., M; Barrie Bahr, So., A; Aubrey Keeping, So., A; Jocee Tanner, So., D
 
 
UW-Stout
Head Coach:  Mikayla Knudson; 3rd season (2nd at UWST); 10-19 (overall) / 8-6 (UWST)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  11/5
Starters Returning/Lost:  8/4
 
Returning All-WIAC:  Briana Brenteson, Jr., D (2024-Second, 2025-Honorable); Luci Fitzgerald, Jr., M/D (2024-Second, 2025-Second); Mai Nou Vang, Sr., M (2024-Honorable, 2025-Second)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Emilia Bullock, So., G; Madeline Candline, Jr., D; Megan Palmer, Jr., M; Riley Schulte, So., M
 
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