Preview: No. 9 women’s lacrosse faces No. 19 Loyola in season opener

After a strong performance last year that ended with an Ivy League Tournament title and an Elite Eight run, women’s lacrosse (0–0 overall, 0–0 Ivy League) enters the 2026 season with high spirits. The Orange and Black, having been voted No. 1 in the Ivy League preseason media poll and ranked No. 6 in the IWLCA preseason coaches poll, will look to start strong despite a road-heavy opening stretch.

“Throughout the preseason this winter, our team has been working really hard and competing every day at practice, so I am really looking forward to this season,” senior attacker Haven Dora wrote to The Daily Princetonian. “We had a strong season last year, and I feel confident about our chemistry and experience on the field.”

Despite the graduation of McKenzie Blake ’25, the Orange and Black’s all-time leading goal scorer, the Tigers still return with a formidable offense. Dora and senior attacker Jami MacDonald, both Tewaaraton Award Watch List selections, headline the unit. Junior attacker Merrill Watson, who missed all of last season with an injury, will also be back in the mix.

They will be supported by a midfield that has continued to grow with each season. Senior midfielder Lane Calkins set career highs in goals and points last year, while junior midfielder Colette Quinn’s 23 points last season were nearly four times her output from two years ago.

Princeton’s first-year class also arrives with a lot of buzz. First-year attacker Kate Dente and first-year goalkeeper Jackie Feldman both ranked among the Power 100 Incoming Freshmen.

MacDonald said the group is treating this season as an opportunity to build on the progress from last year. “I’m really excited for this season and the opportunity our group has to build on last year’s momentum after finishing our season in the Elite Eight,” she wrote to the ‘Prince.’ “We have a really strong group, and the first-years are already making an impact on the field.”

On the defensive end, senior defender Dylan Allen returns after earning third-team IWLCA All-American honors and first-team All-Ivy recognition last season. Senior goalkeeper Amelia Hughes will return for her fourth season after playing in every game over the last three seasons.

Senior defender Abby Roberts, who started all 20 contests last year, will aim to maintain her steady presence in transition and in turning defensive stops into clean clears.

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“We had a pretty injury-filled fall so we decided to schedule our first game two weeks into the season,” Roberts told the ‘Prince.’ “It’s honestly just been a really exciting start to the women’s lacrosse season this year, so I couldn’t be more excited to start our own chapter soon.”

The Tigers will open their season at Loyola Maryland (1–2, 1–0 Patriot League) this Saturday. After that, they will host Rutgers (2–1, 0–0 Big Ten) at Sherrerd Field on Wednesday before entering a five-game road trip that includes Harvard (1–1, 0–0) on March 7.

“While we have not had a game yet, all of the other Division I teams have already played at least once, giving us an early sense of how they look and what our competition this year will be,” Dora wrote to the ‘Prince.’ “When the first whistle blows this weekend against Loyola, we have to show up, take it one play at a time, and execute the scout and the little details.”

Roberts also pointed to the group’s energy and depth. “One thing I’m looking forward to is definitely our bench,” she told the ‘Prince.’ “We have one of the best benches in the Ivy League, and everyone plays their role, whether you’re on the field or on the sideline, and it keeps everyone engaged.”

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Beyond their first seven contests, the Tigers will play six of their remaining eight games at home, a stretch that could help them settle in as Ivy League play intensifies. For now, though, the Orange and Black will look to focus on what’s immediately in front of them and try to control the tempo even away from home.

“This season, our approach is to focus on dominating the first draw and setting the tone by controlling the pace of play from the start,” Dora told the ‘Prince.’ “We also have to trust our preparation and the competitive team culture we have built this preseason.”

Kai Kim is an assistant Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’ He can be reached at kaikim[at]princeton.edu.

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.

A correction was made on Feb. 19, 2026: A previous version of this article said that the game against Rutgers would occur on Monday. The game will actually occur on Wednesday. The ‘Prince’ regrets this error.