EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — ESU women's lacrosse has solidified itself as not just one of the top programs in the Atlantic Region or all of Division II, but also one of the most consistent teams in the sport. After eight-straight NCAA Tournament appearances with two PSAC titles, four Atlantic Region championships, and a national runner-up finish during that stretch, the Warriors are ready to take that next step in 2026.
 
After a 15-6 2025 campaign that ended in the regional semifinals, the Warriors bring back the majority of their team with an extra year of development and experience under their belts. Last season's team was highlighted by underclassmen stepping up on the stat sheet and new leaders settling into their spots. Now, the Warriors head into this year ready to build
 
"I wouldn't consider [this season] a restart, I'd use the word 'continuation'," Head Coach Xeni Barakos-Yoder said. "We're going to look to be more poised. Use that growth and experience to hopefully run a more executed offense this season."
 
ESU returns all five of its top scorers, as well as graduate student goalkeeper Abby Simonetti. The best goalkeeper in all of Division II, Simonetti led the nation in save percentage with a .560 mark and total saves, making 246 stops. Making up half of ESU's pair of Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) First Team All-Americans, with Sadie Kauffman earning the other nod, the duo gives the Warriors star power on both ends of the field that few teams in Division II can match.
 
Kauffman recorded the third-most goals and was the fourth-highest scorer in her first collegiate season, finishing with 103 goals and 26 assists, earning PSAC East Freshman of the Year. Heading into this season, Kauffman, Simonetti, and defender Molly Atwell were all named to the IWLCA Preseason All-American Teams. In addition to being some of the Warriors' top players, Simonetti and Atwell are also part of ESU's leadership group, with the former being one of the team's two captains and the latter serving as one of three squad leaders. Attacker Hannah Schiemer is the team's second captain, while attackers Ariana Tucci and Jolee Roth complete the group of squad leaders.
 
"I think all of them bring different energy and experience to their groups, and I think they help that leadership squad really rally the people for what the team really needs in the moment," Barakos-Yoder said. "They all have such different leadership styles and personalities that make sure that we're covered as far as leadership throughout the field."
 
On offense, the Warriors are bringing back a group of Kauffman, Tucci, Lauren Hallman, Roth, and Schiemer, who scored 84% of the team's 298 goals. Barakos-Yoder spoke about how these five can continue to grow from last season to this year and elevate the team to the next level.
 
"I couldn't say enough positive things about the offense; all of them make up an outstanding unit. Hannah Schiemer has stepped into a more offensive role this season, which is exciting… I think you're going to love Ariana Tucci this season. Sadie [Kauffman] is really excelling in her game, being more dynamic. Jolee gets the ball and makes plays, and Lauren Hallman is just an all-star. She does her job 24-7 in the midfield, doesn't really get many breaks, but she's ready to go."
 
In addition to the offensive firepower, ESU has a roster full of players who have thrived in their roles and stepped up in pinches at all positions. Paige Moreland is another on the offensive end of the field who will play a pivotal role, working the ball behind the net. At midfield, Alexis Neuman was one of the Warriors' top draw takers, finishing the season second on the team with 66 draw controls. Building depth at that position, ESU added Molly Riva, a transfer from Saint Francis. On the defensive end, it's easy to feel confident when Simonetti is in net, but Atwell, Emily Varilla, and Kenna Price make her job even easier with their play in front.
 
If 2025 was a development year for the Warriors, then in 2026, they now have the reps to take the next step in their national championship push.
 
"I think that'll come back to experience and game-time decisions that they've had to make," Barakos-Yoder said. "Now we're thinking twice about our execution and hopefully growing from our decision-making. So that's really what we're looking for, to be an overall more poised team again. I think last year I would have assumed for us to be more of a young team, and now they have that experience, they should be able to build on that."
 
Even with their deep group of returners, ESU is excited about what its freshman class can bring to the table. Two stand out to Barakos-Yoder: Katie Bullen in the midfield and Carly Brady on defense.
 
"[Bullen] should be great for us as a midfielder," Barakos-Yoder said. "She's athletic, a three-sport athlete, and her basketball defensive experience translates to the lacrosse field… [Brady] brings great experience, as her high school played more of a zone defense, so she'll fill some of that gap for us in that way. Overall, I think you're going to be really excited about the new players."
 
Barakos-Yoder identified two aspects of the Warriors' game that are the keys to success this year: their composure and ability to execute. Composure comes with the experience they return, but she emphasized the importance of being able to act on that and turn it into results, especially with a tough non-conference slate.
 
"We need to execute," Barakos-Yoder restated. "If you look across the board at other high-producing teams in Division II, the most-poised team is Adelphi. We have them on our schedule; those girls execute. There are so many strong leaders in Division II lacrosse, and we're itching at the opportunity to see them at the end.
 
For this ESU women's lacrosse team, national recognition and rankings are no surprise. Whether it be nods like being ranked 14^th in Division II by IWLCA or second in the PSAC East Preseason Poll, the Warriors are unfazed by anything other than wins and losses on the field. Because when a team knows it cannot only just compete, but also win on Division II's biggest stage, a championship is the only thing on its mind.
 
"Hungry dogs run faster," Barakos-Yoder said. "Put us on the lower end [of rankings] every day; the Warriors are going to show up."