The University of the Cumberlands women’s lacrosse team is entering their 11th season as one of the premier teams in the NAIA after coming off a strong tournament run last season. The Patriots made program and school history becoming the first team to reach that national championship game for a second time. UC closed out last year as the NAIA national runner-up and that experience has left the Patriots determined and focus with a vision of rewriting the record books once again this season.
The Patriots have posted an 81.4% win percentage over the program’s first decade, with seven straight NAIA Tournament appearances. UC has compiled nine straight winning seasons, highlighted by five conference regular-season championships, and three conference tournament titles. Cumberlands is coming off a 17-4 season in 2025 that included capturing the AAC Tournament title and closing out the year as the NAIA National Runner-Up. With an elite class of returners mixed with a talented group of newcomers, Head Coach Kelly Buikus has her squad primed to continue to build on the foundation and add to the Patriots legacy as one of the winningest programs in the country.
Cumberlands 2026 senior class is one of the most decorated in program history and has made an incredible impact throughout their time dawning the red and navy. This class, which feature six veterans, has accounted for 14 AAC All-Conference selections and ten NAIA All-American accolades, while being part of UC’s 2023 AAC regular season and 2025 AAC Tournament championship runs. The seniors have already etched their name into the program’s record books on both ends of the field and are looking to build upon their success this season. This season the Patriots will be leaning on this senior class not only for experience but for their leadership on and off the field.
Emma has been one of the most versatile players in the program’s history and looks to cap off an incredible career with a stellar senior campaign. Rittman is the current NAIA career leader as well as the program’s leader in draw control, while being ranked in the top ten of the program in five other categories. The Pickerington, OH native is the Patriots career leader with 215 ground balls and her 121 caused turnovers ranks third, while being ranked seventh in both goals (140) and points (200).
Rittman is coming of a strong 2025 season, where she totaled 63 points, 45 caused turnovers, 171 draw controls, and 76 ground balls. She was second in the NAIA in both draw controls and ground balls. Rittman netted a season-high six goals in the Patriots national semifinal win over top-seed Keiser. The senior one of the most decorated players in UC’s history as a three-time NAIA All-American, three-time AAC First Team All-Conference selection, the 2024 AAC Player of the Year, and was named to the 2025 NAIA All-Tournament Team.
Koral Hadac is a three-time NAIA First Team All-American defender that is coming off a career season as she led the NAIA with 54 caused turnovers and 78 ground balls. The senior’s 54 caused turnovers also broke the program record’s single season mark, while she ranked second for ground balls. Hadac is currently second in program history for career ground balls and caused turnovers. The Rosemount, MN native continues to be a lockdown defender that showcased her versatility on the draw while continuing to be an essential part of UC’s transition game.
The senior forced multiple ground balls in 14 games during the 2025 season, including a season-high five caused turnovers in the win over St. Thomas and Indiana Tech. Hadac also showcased here versatility in the NAIA National Tournament as she netted the game-winning goal in UC’s national semifinal win over Keiser. Hadac is one of the most decorated defenders in Patriots history, and with another strong season, she will continue to etch her name into the record books, while focusing on helping UC reach its ultimate goal of a championship.
Another cornerstone of the Patriots senior class is midfielder, Anna Lobbezoo, who is a two-time NAIA Second Team All-American. Lobbezoo, the three time-time First Team All-Conference selection, has been a consistent force on both ends of the end and her impact goes well beyond the stats sheet. The Jenison, MI native is fifth in career goals (169) and sixth in career points (229) and is coming off a 2025 campaign where she recorded 59 goals and 75 points to go along with 53 draw controls and 30 ground balls. Lobbezoo has been a staple of the Patriots draw over the past three seasons, positioning Cumberlands to be ranked in the top two of the NAIA in draw control wins during that span. Lobbezoo is on pace for a strong senior campaign as she continues to climb the Patriots record books.
The Patriots' offense continues to be one of the most balanced in the entire NAIA. UC ranked second the NAIA in goals with 355 and third in both assists (177) and points (532). Cumberlands success has come with a balanced approach as seven different players tallied at least 50 points last season. The Patriots where fifth in the NAIA averaging 16.90 goals per game, while posting a 54.8% shooting percentage, which ranked second in the country. Not only are the Patriots good at finding the cage they have been unselfish with the ball tallying 8.43 assists per game. UC has returned several key attackers from last year's team along with several talented newcomers that will have an immediate impact.
Leading the Patriots attack is junior Ashlee Baker, who had a breakout sophomore campaign highlighted by multiple career-highs. Baker led the AAC conference in assists (49) and points (101), while her 52 goals ranked fifth. Her 49 assists were fourth most in the NAIA last season and also ranked fourth in program history. The two-time NAIA All-American has seen her offensive production go up each year she’s been here at UC and the Patriots will lean on that veteran leadership in 2025.
Baker, the two-time NAIA All-American selection, will look to continue to climb the program record book as she is 19 assists away from being just the third Patriot to surpass the century mark. The Las Vegas, NV has also been a vital part of the Patriots clear defense as she has notched 27 caused turnovers in each of the past two seasons, while scooping 82 ground balls.
In addition to Baker, senior Tess Lisy along with newcomers Allison Joins, Audrey Donaldson, and Kameron Mayfield will have an immediate huge impact for the Patriots this season. Lisy is entering her second year with the Patriots after transferring from Notre Dame College. The senior notched ten goals and 19 points during the 2025 campaign. The Avon, OH native tallied a hat trick in UC’s win over Truett McConnell. Lisy also came up big in the national tournament added notching a point in each of the three tournament games including a five-point performance in their quarterfinal win over Reinhardt. With Lisy entering her senior campaign, the coaching staff believes she will have a pivotal role for the Patriots this year.
While the Patriots have had one the of the best offenses in the NAIA over the past decade, Cumberlands defense has been just as dominant in recent years. UC played 15 games against teams that were mentioned in the NAIA Top-Ten Poll last season and against that fierce competition, the Patriots limited opponents to a 9.31 goals against average. UC also recorded 263 caused turnovers to go along with 448 ground balls, and an .839 clear percentage on the year. A pivotal part of the Patriots success is versatility players that give the coaching staff flexibility along the backline.
In addition to Hadac, Cumberlands has returned a trio of key defenders from last year’s team in Madison Rupp, Reese Kincaid, and Sarah Linam, who all garnered AAC All-Conference honors. The trio will be combined with mix of veterans and newcomers on the backline this season. With the Patriots facing six teams that qualified for the 2025 NAIA National Tournament and on pace to play one of the toughest slates in the country, UC will rely on their defense to shine throughout the year.
Entering her senior season with the red and navy, Rupp has been a lockdown defender that has started every game since stepping foot on the field in Williamsburg. The Kingwood, TX has been a stabilizing force on Cumberlands backline that has tallied ground balls and 25 caused turnovers. Rupp is a three-time AAC All-Conference selection and was named a 2024 NAIA Second Team All-American.
Kincaid is coming off a breakout season as part of the Cumberlands defense. The Cincinnati, OH native started all 21 games last season a tallied a career-best 36 ground balls along with 23 caused turnovers. The senior settled into her role on the backline and notched six caused turnovers and nine ground balls during the 2025 postseason. Kincaid’s performances garnered the senior NAIA Second Team All-American honors as well as being an AAC First Team All-Conference honoree.
Goalie Mikayla Kimsey enters her second year as a Patriot looking to make an impact between the pipes. The Jacksonville, FL native played in ten games last year, where she posted a 3-0 record, with 16 saves and a .457 save percentage. Kimsey notched a career-high four saves in UC’s win over (RV) Ottawa and closed out the season limiting opponents to 4.39 goals against average last year.
The Patriots will utilize a blend of experience and athletics at the midfield position as Cumberlands has a plethora of talented players that will see significant minutes throughout the season. In addition to the veterans Lobbezoo and Rittman, the coaching staff has high expectations for the newcomers like Jennifer Barnica, Christina Carter, Lenora DeVries, and Kaitlyn Friel. According to Coach Buikus, this group is going to be a lot of fun to watch, and mentioned that DeVries, Carter, and Friel have already begun making an impact.
Cumberlands will once again test themselves throughout their 18 game schedule that features six games against teams that competed in the NAIA National Tournament and 11 opponents that have opened the 2026 season ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Poll. UC hits the ground running in their season opener on February 7 when they face #8 Lawrence Tech. The Patriots’ home opener is set for the following week against Shorter before they take a three-game swing to the Sunshine State against #10 Ave Maria, followed by contests at (RV) St. Thomas and Warner. The Patriots return home on February 28 to take on #10 Marian to close out the month.
The Patriots begin March with five straight home games, including games against #7 Indiana Tech (March 2nd), #1 Benedictine (March 10th), and #7 Life (March 14th). UC closes the stretch with another home contest on March 16 against #9 Missouri Baptist. Cumberlands heads south on March 20 for a road game at #4 SCAD-Savannah, followed by their AAC opener at Truett McConnell on March 21. The Patriots return home on March 28 to host Columbia College. April opens with a road contest at Tennessee Wesleyan on April 1 before the Patriots close out the home portion of the schedule with back-to-back games against Montreat on April 4 and #5 Reinhardt on April 11. UC wraps up the regular season on April 15 with a road game at (RV) Georgetown.