NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. — The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) released its 2026 Division II Preseason Coaches Poll Monday morning, ranking ESU women's lacrosse 14th.
 

The Warriors are the third-highest ranked PSAC team in the poll behind No. 4 West Chester and No. 8 Slippery Rock but come in ahead of No. 17 Seton Hill, No. 21 Kutztown, and unranked Indiana (Pa.) who received votes. ESU went 15-6 in 2025, making it to the PSAC Championship semifinals and NCAA Tournament second round. ESU has won at least 12 games each year, with the exception of the abbreviated 2020 season, under Head Coach Xeni Barakos-Yoder, who's entering her 11th season at the helm for ESU. The Warriors look to make their ninth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance as well, having captured four Atlantic Region Championships during this stretch.
 

ESU opens the season against the No. 17 Griffins at noon on Saturday, Feb. 14 at Whitenight Field.