NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. — After a perfect 14-0 start to the season, the ESU women's lacrosse team broke into the top five of the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) poll, coming in at No. 5, the organization announced Monday morning.
 
The Warriors achieved their highest ranking in over two seasons since they were ranked third in late March 2024. Now nine spots improved from their No. 14 preseason ranking, ESU has been rewriting its program record book during its undefeated season.
 
East Stroudsburg has been led by Sadie Kauffman and Ariana Tucci on the offensive end, as the two lead the conference in scoring. Additionally, Kauffman ranks inside the top three in both goals and points in all of Division II. Rounding out the attack are Paige Moreland and Jolee Roth, two of the best passers in the country this year. They're also the top two assist leaders in the PSAC, with Moreland ranking eighth and Roth 10^th nationally. On the other side of the field, the Warriors have shut down every team they've gone up against, allowing the third-fewest goals per game in the country, 6.3. Their team save percentage is second in Division II, as Abby Simonetti and Madison McBride have formed a tandem that's stopped 57.1% of opposing shots on goal.
 
ESU has received plenty of recognition this season in terms of weekly awards as well, from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, USA Lacrosse Magazine, and the IWLCA. Between Kauffman, Moreland, Simonetti, Molly Atwell, and Alexis Neumen, a Warrior has been named a PSAC East Athlete or Defensive Athlete of the Week nine times. For the national awards, Kauffman has earned Division II Player of the Week honors three times, twice from USA Lacrosse Magazine and once from the IWLCA, as Moreland was recognized by the IWLCA once this year, too.
 
ESU heads into the final stretch of its regular season with three games remaining before the conference tournament, hosting Shippensburg next for its final home game. Opening draw for the Warriors versus the Raiders takes place at 3 p.m. this Wednesday at Whitenight Field.