2025 RECAP
The University of Scranton defeated Catholic University, 16–6, in the Landmark Conference Championship game to capture its third consecutive conference title.
Game Highlights:
- Scranton struck first with an early goal from Eileen Hewitt, but Catholic answered to keep the opening quarter competitive as both teams traded momentum.
- The Royals took control in the second quarter, stringing together a run of unanswered goals to build separation heading into halftime.
- Out of the half, Scranton continued to dictate play in the third quarter, capitalizing on turnovers and converting key scoring opportunities to extend the lead.
- In the fourth, the Royals put the game away with timely goals and steady defensive pressure, sealing the 16–6 victory and their third straight Landmark Conference title.
Top Performers:
- Jillian Lopez - 4 G, Landmark Championship MVP
- Eileen Hewitt - 4 G, 2 A
- Erin Reich - 1 G, 5 A
- Eva Guerino - 11 saves
The 2026 Landmark Conference women’s poll sets up an exciting season, with Scranton tabbed as the preseason favorite after earning 80 points and eight first-place votes. Catholic follows in second with 73 points and two first-place votes, positioning the Cardinals as a strong contender in the early title picture. Susquehanna (61 points) and Moravian (57 points) sit in the next tier and will look to challenge the frontrunners, while Juniata (46 points) and Elizabethtown (44 points) remain within striking distance. Lycoming and Drew are tied for seventh with 30 points apiece, as both programs aim to climb the standings this season. Goucher (17 points) and Wilkes (12 points) round out the poll and will look to exceed preseason expectations as the year unfolds.
CATHOLIC University
Head Coach: Meghan McDonogh (20th Season) 2025 Record: 10-9 (8-1 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 2nd
2025 RecaP
Catholic finished 10–9 overall and an impressive 8–1 in Landmark Conference play, earning a conference runner-up finish and proving it has the pieces in place to contend for another championship appearance.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 47 saves, 7 wins – Jamie Handwerger (GK)
- 40 goals, 6 assists, 16 GB, 11 CT, 59 DC – Henley Bredemann (M/A), 2025 Rookie of the Year, First Team All-Conference
- 39 goals, 12 assists, 26 GB, 17 CT – Izzy Fiore (A), Second Team All-Conference
- 25 goals, 1 assist, 24 GB, 7 CT – Lindsay Sawyer (A)
- 22 goals, 10 assists, 32 GB, 22 CT, 37 DC – Tori Wilsey (M)
- 15 goals, 2 assists, 5 GB – Maggie Traynor (A)
- 29 GB, 17 CT, 2 DC – Grace Button (D/M)
Key Departures
Catholic will need to replace the production of Lauren Bendo, a stalwart on defense who contributed 38 groundballs and 23 caused turnovers, and Caroline Regan, who added eight goals and nine assists from midfield. The Cardinals also lost Jessie Lee, a two-time All-Conference midfielder who led the team with 24 goals and 24 assists, and Madeline Kelly, an attack who tallied 14 goals and 22 assists. Lauren Brendo, a three-time All-Conference standout, also departs, leaving a gap in leadership and scoring.
DREW UNIVERSITY
Head Coach: Stefani Peluso (2nd Season) 2025 Record: 5-11 (3-6 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: T7
2025 RECAP
Drew posted a 5–11 overall record and a 3–6 mark in conference play during Peluso’s first season at the helm. With just three seniors on this year’s roster, the Rangers will rely heavily on their underclassmen and newcomers to take on expanded roles and make a significant impact this season.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 36 goals, 4 assists, 63 DC, 26 GB, 16 CT – Aubrey Welch (M), Second Team All-Landmark Conference
- 34 goals, 14 assists, 15 GB – Grace Patane (A)
- 20 goals, 8 assists – Madi Strong (A)
- 19 goals, 8 assists, 40 DC, 38 GB, 23 CT – Kristina Lowe (M)
- 10 goals, 13 assists – Hayden Scotti (A)
- 15 goals, 2 assists – Emma Gallaro (M)
- 10 goals, 6 assists, 51 DC, 32 GB, 23 CT – Emily Monaco (M)
- 23 GB, 6 CT – Brooke Carlisle (D)
- 6 GB, 5 CT – Medinah Sarwari (D)
- 4-7, 16.58 GAA, .384 SV% – Paige Shaw (GK)
- 1-4, 13.45 GAA, .336 SV% – Rorrie Sifers (GK)
Key Departures
Drew will look to replace the contributions of Beth Dobrich, a defender who recorded 18 groundballs and nine caused turnovers, and Isabella Fortunato, a midfielder who added two goals, two assists, 24 groundballs, and seven caused turnovers.
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
Head Coach: Danielle Taylor (13th Season) 2025 Record: 9-8 (4-5 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 6th
2025 Recap
Elizabethtown finished the 2025 season 9–8 overall and 4–5 in conference play to earn the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament. The Blue Jays ultimately fell to No. 3 Juniata in the opening round 18-10.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 37 goals, 12 assists, 49 PTS, 83 DC, 31 CT – Drew Bridges (M), Second Team All-Conference 2025
- 19 GB, 17 CT – Jenna Wilson (D), Honorable Mention All-Conference 2025
- 39 goals, 15 assists, 54 PTS, 23 GB – Megan Meyer (A)
- 38 goals, 19 assists, 57 PTS, 19 GB – Ella Scholes (M/A)
Key Departures
Elizabethtown will look to replace the production of Rachel Murphy, a first-team All-Conference goalkeeper in 2025 who tallied 202 saves and a .517 save percentage. Midfielder Lauren Puntanen contributed 33 goals, 42 points, and 35 groundballs, while attack Megan Gress added 15 goals, 23 assists, and 38 points.
GOUCHER COLLEGE
Head Coach: Katie Russo (4th Season) 2025 Record: 6-11 (1-8 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 9th
2025 Recap
Goucher went 6–11 overall and 1–8 in conference play but returns its top offensive contributors to help them climb the conference standings. Three of Goucher’s four top scorers return this season, including Camden West, Tatiana Emeruwa, and Katie Bloom, who all combined for 64 of Goucher's 168 goals last season
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 17 goals, 3 assists, 31 draw controls – Katie Bloom (M)
- 13 goals, 13 assists, 9 draw controls – Wrenn Harney (M)
- 35 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers – Angelena Holmes
Key Departures
Goucher will look to replace seniors Molly Smith, Emily Burk, and Sydney Lewis, all of whom started the majority of their games last season and combined for 66 of the Gophers’ goals.
JUNIATA COLLEGE
Head Coach: Erynn Anderson (1st Season) 2025 Record: 9-9 (6-3 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 5th
2025 Recap
Juniata finished 9–9 overall and 6–3 in conference play, advancing to the semifinals of the Landmark Conference playoffs. With a new era beginning under Head Coach Erynn Anderson, Juniata looks to remain competitive in the upper half of the standings.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 23 goals, 11 assists, 34 points – Skyler Stevens (A)
- 17 goals, 21 points – Elayna Stubbe (M)
- 11.73 GAA – Mikayla Bodley (G), 5th-best save percentage in conference
Key Departures
The Eagles were anchored defensively by conference Defensive Player of the Year Maeve Kuser and will now look to fill a significant void on that side of the field. Juniata must also replace several other key contributors, including 2025 First Team All-Conference midfielder Peyton Goodrich and Second Team All-Conference selections Kyndall Yeager (attacker) and Tess Ledeboer (defender).
LYCOMING COLLEGE
Head Coach: Meaghan Smith (2nd Season) 2025 Record: 8-8 (3-6 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: T7
2025 Recap
Lycoming finished 8–8 overall and 3–6 in conference play. First Team All-Conference selection Riley Block returns for the Warriors as she enters her senior season and looks to build on a strong junior year. She is joined by three other seniors who add experience across the field. The Warriors also welcome back sophomore goalkeeper Emma Yanders, who started 16 games last season and returns with significant minutes under her belt.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 73 goals, 10 assists, 28 GB, 23 CT – Riley Block (A), Two-Time First Team All-Conference
- 14.56 GAA, .418 SV%, 8-8 – Emma Yanders (GK), Honorable Mention All-Conference 2025
- 3 goals, 11 GB, 3 CT – Marissa Price (M)
- 2 goals, 1 assist, 19 GB – Sarah Spring (D)
- 1 goal, 23 GB, 9 CT – Autumn Shahan (D)
Key Departures
Lycoming will look to replace the scoring and leadership of Katie Maguire, a second team All-Conference selection in 2025, who tallied 66 goals and 12 assists. The Warriors also lose Alexa Baldwin (21 goals, 54 assists), Kailey Stocker (32 goals, 5 assists), Emily Reese (10 goals, 6 assists), and Alyssa Zorbaugh (6 goals, 2 assists, 18 GB, 11 CT), leaving gaps across attack and midfield.
MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY
Head Coach: Morgan Graham (1st Season) 2025 Record: 10-8 (6-3 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 4th
2025 RECAP
Moravian finished the 2025 season with a 10–8 overall record and a 6–3 mark in Landmark Conference play, earning the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. Moravian’s postseason run came to an end in the opening round of the Landmark Conference Tournament with a loss to Susquehanna.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 12.30 GAA, 118 SV, 28 GB, 9-8 – Kayla Graef (G)
- 35 goals, 20 assists – Melissa Elefonte (A)
- 29 goals, 5 assists, 29 DC – Kathryn Hunsinger (M)
- 25 goals, 3 assists, 12 CT – Ella Steirer (M)
- 11 goals, 2 assists – Victoria Salica (A)
- 9 goals, 3 assists – Bailey Leatherman (M)
- 8 goals – Reagan Reiner (M)
- 4 goals, 13 GB – Gianna Lotito (M/D)
- 11 GB, 8 CT – Maggie Modrovsky (D)
- 11 GB, 5 CT – Maia Machado (D)
- 10 GB, 5 CT – Alanna McBrearty (D)
KEY DEPARTURES
Moravian will look to replace the scoring and defensive production of several standout players. Jackie Salvatore, a four-time All-Conference selection, tallied 44 goals, 76 assists, 83 draw controls, and 32 groundballs. Midfielder Madi Dippel, a two-time First Team All-Conference honoree, contributed 41 goals, 12 assists, 56 draw controls, 38 groundballs, and 25 caused turnovers. Alex Cherenson, a three-time All-Conference midfielder, added 36 goals, 10 assists, 45 draw controls, 28 groundballs, and 20 caused turnovers, while defender Keara Reilly, also a three-time All-Conference selection, recorded 25 groundballs, 19 caused turnovers, 15 draw controls, along with two goals and two assists.
UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
Head Coach: Chrissy Trescavage (8th Season) 2025 Record: 15-6 (9-0 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 1st
2025 RECAP
Scranton captured the Landmark Conference championship in 2025, finishing 12–9 overall and a perfect 9–0 in conference play. The Royals ended with an 8.41 goals against average, while finishing second in the conference with 14.19 goals per game. The Royals advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before their season came to an end with a 17–5 loss to Tufts.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 35 goals, 40 assists, 75 points, 56 GB, 29 CT, 58 DC – Eileen Hewitt (M), Two-Time All-Conference
- 50 goals, 9 assists, 59 points, 106 DC – Jillian Lopez (A), Two-Time All-Conference, Playoff MVP
- 7.67 GAA, 101 saves, .510 SV% – Eva Guerino (GK)
- 38 GB, 19 CT – Paige Martin (D)
- 41 GB, 16 CT – Mia Dinnocenzio (M/D)
Key Departures
Scranton will look to replace several top contributors from 2025. Grace Lane (A), a four-time All-Conference and two-time All-American, led the team in scoring. Erin Reich (A), a three-time All-Conference attacker, finished the year with 69 points and ranked among the program’s all-time leaders. Defenders Karina Roettger (D) and Brooke Lynch (D), both All-Conference selections, combined for over 80 ground balls and caused turnovers. Alex Dato (D) and midfielder Devyn Tanajewski (M), a four-time All-Conference standout, also graduate, leaving key gaps across attack, midfield, and defense.
SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY
Head Coach: Randall Swope (9th Season) 2025 Record: 9-10 (5-4 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 3rd
2025 RECAP
Susquehanna concluded the 2025 season with a 9–10 overall record and a 5–4 mark in Landmark Conference play, earning a spot in the conference tournament. The River Hawks secured the No. 5 seed and made a strong statement in the opening round by defeating Moravian on the road. Susquehanna’s postseason run came to an end in the Landmark Conference semifinal round, where the River Hawks fell to eventual champion Scranton.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 38 goals, 40 points, 10 ground balls – Abby Andrus
- .491 SV%, 187 saves - Aerin O'Brien (GK) - 2x All-Conference
- 27 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers - Shea Cina - (D), Second Team All-Conference (2025)
KEY DEPARTURES
Susquehanna will need to replace the scoring and leadership of Liv Owen (A), Honorable Mention All-Conference, who led the team with 74 points and 46 assists. Emma Kelleher (A), second on the team with 59 points and 35 goals, and Allie Kutler (A), who scored 28 goals, also depart, leaving significant gaps in the attack.
WILKES UNIVERSITY
Head Coach: Taylor Drumheller (1st Season) 2025 Record: 0-15 (0-9 Landmark Conference) 2026 Projected Finish: 10th
2025 RECAP
Wilkes closed out the 2025 campaign with a 0–15 overall record and a 0–9 mark in Landmark Conference play, but the season provided valuable experience for a young roster. Taylor Sparks, Morgan Foytack, and Megan Bell each made an impact in the attack last season, combining to contribute to 11 of Wilkes’ goals, and will look to build on that production this season.
BY THE NUMBERS (RETURNERS)
- 2 goals, 7 assists - Taylor Sparks (M)
- 25 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers - Mara Adams Foytack (D)
- 25 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers - Ottillia Keel (D)
KEY DEPARTURES
Wilkes will look to replace the scoring of Brooklyn Pedana (A), who totaled 23 goals and three assists in 2025, and Morgan Foytack (M/A), who added four goals and four assists.
Credits:
Created with an image by Haslam Photography - "Many lacrosse sticks in the air"