It’s a three-team race for the Patriot League title this year. While Navy returns as the favorite for the second straight season, Army and Lehigh are strong contenders.
The Patriot League tips off on Nov. 2 with the service academies lining up as the top two challengers for the championship again this year. The Mids received nine of 10 first place votes and are a clear favorite among league peers to bring the title back to Annapolis for the first time since 2013.
Army is projected second and will have to overcome the graduation of third team All-Patriot League guard Reese Ericson who started all 34 games while directing the offense for the Black Knights. A healthy Fiona Hastick and forward Kya Smith make Army a formidable favorite.
Lehigh received the league’s other first-place vote in the poll and returns the bulk of its rotation. Can head coach Addie Micir find someone to fill the shoes of Lily Fandre? The Mountain Hawks have depth, scoring balance and sophomore Leia Edwards. They’ll be a force this season.
The absence of the league’s usual parity this season gives way to the intrigue of a sleeper pick among the second tier of teams. Who will emerge as the best of the rest?
Defending champion Holy Cross graduated four starters who won three titles during their tenure in Worcester. Can head coach Candice Green find a lineup combination to keep them in contention in her third season? The Crusaders will need to solve some issues on the offensive end to be in the mix.
Two former head coaches for Division 3 University of Scranton lead two of the teams with the most potential to emerge from the second pack. First-year mentor Ben O’Brien takes over a Lafayette team that could be on the brink of a top-five finish and a surprising playoff push.
Bucknell coach Trevor Woodruff looks to move his squad back into contention with a healthier and deeper lineup this year. Juniors Reese Zemitis and Elana Weisman lead the charge for the Bison.
Boston University returns an experienced group of guards led by senior Bella McLaughlin but needs answers in the post after the graduation of 6’5 center Anete Adler. Head coach Melissa Graves will look for a spark from a trio of new forwards.
Second-year head coach Shannon Bush led a competitive group in her debut season at Colgate last season. Bush took over a roster in need of rebuilding and sparked them to an upset win in the playoffs, defeating Bucknell on the road as the 10th seed.
It’s going to take time in Hamilton and this season will be a similar trajectory but keep your eye on the Raiders — they are a fun team to watch.
Loyola also finds its program in a reset stage after the graduation of forward Lexi Therien and the transfer of guard Kimmie Hicks. Can head coach Danielle O’Banion find the missing pieces in this year’s recruiting class?
American University saw its best player depart via the transfer portal for the second consecutive year, losing forward Charlotte Tuhy to Stanford this off-season. How will second-year coach Kelly Killion piece together year two of the rebuild in D.C.?
Read about each team, or skip to your favorite using the hyperlinks below.
2026-27 Patriot League Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
- Navy – 81 (9 first-place votes)
- Army West Point – 71
- Lehigh – 67 (1)
- Holy Cross – 53
- Lafayette – 52
- Bucknell – 37
- Boston University – 26
- Colgate – 22
- Loyola Maryland – 21
- American – 20
Here are the details in alphabetical order:
2025-2026 record: 7-23
Conference record: 5-13 (9th seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Kelly Killion, 2nd season
- Record at American: 7-23
- Career NCAA record: 7-23
Kelly Killion was named the 15th coach in Eagles’ history in 2024 after spending 11 seasons on the bench as an assistant coach, then associate head coach, over two tenures at the University of Pennsylvania.
Killion previously served as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart (one season) and William & Mary (three seasons).
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Molly Driscoll, 5’8, JR: 11.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 36.5% FG, 33.3 MPG, 30 GP, 30 starts
G-Madisyn Moore-Nicholson, 5’7, JR: 10.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 34.3% FG, 28.2 MPG, 30 GP, 30 starts
F-Grace Koepke, 6’4, SR: 4.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.8 APG, 41.4% FG, 12.6 MPG, 13 GP, 4 starts
F-Elizabeth Archer, 6’0, JR: 2.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 29.9% FG, 11.8 MPG, 30 GP, 9 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
F-Charlotte Tuhy, 6’1, SO: 12.0 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 41.2% FG, 33 blocks, 32.8 MPG, 30 GP, 30 starts, Third Team All-Patriot League, Patriot League All-Rookie Team (transfer to Stanford University)
G-Anna Rescifina, 6’, SR: 6.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 42.9% FG, 27.4 MPG, 30 GP, 20 starts (graduated)
G-Laura Nogues, 5’7, SR: 4.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 32.7% FG, 22.8 MPG, 19 GP, 2 starts (graduated)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Kai Powell, 5’9, (Upper Marlboro, MD), FR
G-Jordyn Hollawell, 5’8, (Manasquan, NJ), FR
G-Nina Visnjevac, 5’7 (Toronto, CAN) FR
F-Lauren Wright, 6’1 (West Hartford, CT) FR
G-Ella Gottlieb, 5’7 (Boca Raton, FL) FR
G-Toni Smith, 5’9 (Baldwin, NY) SO (transfer from Delaware State)
F-Jaymee Wadey, 6’2 (Melbourne, AUS) SO (transfer from Towson University)
OUTLOOK: The Eagles remain in rebuild mode but made a positive step from a challenging 1-29 season in 2024-25 to a 7-23 mark in Killion’s first campaign last year.
The bad news? American’s top scorer and rebounder, freshman forward Charlotte Tuhy, transferred to Stanford University. Tuhy, who averaged a double-double for the season (12.0 ppg and 11.3 rpg), won’t be easily replaced.
Tuhy’s absence leaves the roster without an established go-to scorer and steady post presence. It will be a group effort to address the needs down low. Expect senior forward Grace Koepke and junior Elizabeth Archer to anchor the paint for the Eagles.
Killion’s biggest challenge will be generating offense. In conference play, American posted just 55.7 points per game.
Look for the Eagles to push tempo more this season and avoid the set defenses in the halfcourt that challenged them to find quality shots last year (36.0% from the floor, ninth in the league).
The good news? Freshman point guard Nina Visnjevac should provide a spark on the offensive end and help American find easier buckets, especially in transition.
Junior guards Molly Driscoll (11.6 ppg, 46 3-pointers) and Madisyn Moore-Nicholson (10.6 ppg) will be expected to lead the offense.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: The Eagles earn a home game in the first round of playoffs as a No. 7 or 8 seed and advance to the quarterfinals.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: The Eagles land in the 9th or 10th seed and drop their playoff opener.
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2025-2026 record: 26-8
Conference record: 14-4 (3rd seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Katie Kuester, 2nd season
- Record at Army: 26-8
- Career NCAA record: 26-8
Katie Kuester was named the 10th coach in Eagles’ history in 2025 after spending 10 seasons on the bench as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph’s University.
Kuester also served on the staffs at Loyola (Md.), Lehigh and the University of North Carolina.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Fiona Hastick, 5’11, SR: 2.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.2 APG, 30.9% FG, 13 steals, 17.0 MPG, 23 GP, 3 starts
F-Kya Smith, 6’1, SR: 13.7 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 51.4% FG, team-high 137 offensive rebounds, 55 steals, 32.5 MPG, 34 GP, 34 starts, Second Team All-Patriot League
G-Camryn Tade, 5’9, SR: 12.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 46.6% FG, 36.9% 3PT FG, 50 steals, 32.1 MPG, 34 GP, 34 starts, First Team All-Patriot League
F-Taylor Wilson, 5’10, SR: 8.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 37.9% FG, team-high 39 blocks, 27.3 MPG, 33 GP, 32 starts
F-Reganne Reardon, 6’1, SO: 7.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 43.3% FG, 18.7 MPG, 33 GP, 0 starts, All-Rookie Team
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
G-Reese Ericson, 5’6, SR: 11.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 40.5% FG, 40.3% 3PT FG, 33.7 MPG, 34 GP, 34 starts, Third Team All-Patriot League Team (graduated)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Nakia Ollivierre, 5’9, (Waterloo, IA), FR
G-Daniela Maletsky, 5’10, (Freehold, NJ), FR
G-Lilly Thoman, 5’6, (Midlothian, VA), FR
G-Jane Rape, 6’1, (Frederick, MD), FR
G-Allie Swindell, 6’1, (Celina, TX), FR
G-Julia Sedora, 5’8, (Red Lion, PA), FR
OUTLOOK: There’s a lot to love about the Black Knights. They’ve got talent, multiple seniors in the starting lineup and players with conference championship game experience.
Army fell to Lehigh, 74-62, in the 2025 championship final and ended its campaign in the second round of the WNIT. Current seniors Fiona Hastick, Kya Smith and Camryn Tade all started in that final.
Last season, the squad fell 61-55 to eventual champion Holy Cross in a tight semifinal. Everyone in the lineup for that contest returns except for guard Reese Ericson.
Forward Kya Smith is the heart of the squad and the double-teams she draws open things up on the perimeter for a team that was third in the league for made 3-pointers (113) in conference play.
A healthy Hastick and an improved sophomore in Reganne Reardon make Army a favorite to be there in the end again.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: Second year head coach Katie Kuester settles in for a championship run. In a “Star game” final, the Black Knights claim the crown.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: Army finishes third and faces a tough road game for a semifinal. The team falls short of a championship game appearance.
2025-2026 record: 11-20
Conference record: 6-12 (8th seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Melissa Graves, 6th season
- Record at Boston University: 84-74
- Career NCAA record: 84-74
Graves enters her sixth season as head coach. Her presence on the bench marks a second appearance in the Patriot league. She spent two seasons (2013-15) as an assistant coach at Colgate. The Raiders went 8-22 and 9-22 in those two campaigns.
She played four years at Notre Dame under Hall of Fame coach — and former Lehigh head coach — Muffet McGraw.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Bella McLaughlin, 5’8, SR: 8.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 42.4% FG, 25.8 MPG, 29 GP, 18 starts
G-Hildur Gunnsteinsdóttir, 5’10, JR: 5.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 42.9% FG, 37.6% 3PT FG, 24.2 MPG, 31 GP, 29 starts
G-Inés Monteagudo Pardo, 5’11, SR: 6.5 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, 42.8% FG, 42.9% 3PT FG,team-high 57 3-pointers, 22.3 MPG, 29 GP, 15 starts
F-Allison Schwertner, 6’3, JR: 4.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 18 blocks, 44.4% FG, 19.4 MPG, 31GP,10 starts
G-Aoibhe Gormley, 5’8, SR: 2.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 35.9% FG, 22.9 MPG, 13 GP, 12 starts
F-Kate Allard, 6’2, SO: 2.9 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 18 blocks, 51.5% FG, 10.2 MPG, 16 GP, 0 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
F-Anete Adler, 6’5, SR: 15.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 50.0% FG, 48 blocks, 27.8 MPG, 27 GP, 26 starts, Second Team All-Patriot League (graduate transfer to University of Colorado)
F-Anastasiia Semenova, 6’2, SR: 9.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 49.8% FG, 27.1 MPG, 28 GP, 19 starts (graduate transfer to University of Arizona)
G-Audrey Ericksen, 6’, SR: 3.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 31.8% FG, 20.9 MPG, 30 GP, 23 starts (transfer to NC State)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Sophia Georgiades, 5’7, (Somerset, NJ), FR
F-Grace Lee, 6’2, (Chicago, IL), FR
G-Brielle Alaba, 5’10, (Marlton, NJ), FR
F-Addison Dorfman, 6’, (Larchmont, NY), FR
F-Yael Maayan, 6’1, (Even Yehuda, Israel), JR (transfer from Samford)
OUTLOOK: Terriers again look to rebound after a disappointing performance in conference play last year. The six wins were just a game improvement over the previous campaign.
Is there reason to be optimistic at Case Gymnasium?
Absolutely.
Head coach Melissa Graves returns five players who made 10 starts or more and 6’2 substitute forward Kate Allard showed some promise with two very productive playoff performances to cap the season, including a 5-for-5 effort in the team’s quarterfinal loss to Navy.
The league is top heavy this season with three clear favorites. There’s lots of wins on the table for the Terriers. Can they grab enough of them to separate themselves from the lower tier of the league?
BEST CASE SCENARIO: The Terriers make a top five finish and earn a postseason win in the quarterfinals.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: The post rotation doesn’t come together and BU finds itself in a battle to avoid a seven through 10-seed.
2025-2026 record: 11-19
Conference record: 7-11 (7th seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Trevor Woodruff, 8th season
- Record at Bucknell: 111-85
- Career NCAA record: 383-230 (159-135 at D3 Misericordia men’s basketball, 113-10 at D3 University of Scranton women’s basketball)
Woodruff was named the league’s Coach of the Year in each of his first two seasons as head coach.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Reese Zemitis, 6’, JR: 9.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 34.7% FG, 29.5% 3PT FG, team-high 49 3-pointers, 34.1 MPG, 27 GP, 26 starts
G-Isabella Casey, 5’8 JR: 7.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 39.9% FG, 32.9% 3PT FG, 28.6 MPG, 30 GP, 29 starts
F- Elana Weisman, 6’2 JR: 10.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 36.5% FG, 27.4 MPG, 9 GP, 9 starts (suffered season-ending injury in 2025-26)
F-Mariah Hardy, 6’1 SO: 4.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 46.1% FG, 15.8 MPG, 26 GP, 8 starts
G-Anna Kunzwiler, 5’9, SR: 4.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, 39.2% FG, 29.7 MPG, 30 GP, 28 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
F-Tuana Coskun, 6’ SR: 13.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 40.4% FG, 31.5% 3PT FG, 31.4 MPG, 29 GP, 28 starts, Third Team All-Patriot League (transfer to East Carolina University)
F-Desirae Ashton, 6’ JR: 3.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 48.8% FG, 18 steals, 17 blocks, 11.0 MPG, 27 GP, 1 start (transfer to George Mason University)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Tessa Liggio, 5’7, (Colts Neck, NJ), FR
G-Grace Feeney, 6’, (Leonardo, NJ), FR
F-Alaina Dadzie, 6’1, (Williamsport, PA), FR
G-Peyton Musial, 5’10, (De Pere, WI), SO (transfer from UAB)
OUTLOOK: Improving on the offensive end is the key for Bucknell this year. The Bison lost their squad’s leading scorer for the fourth consecutive season to the transfer portal.
Forward Tuana Coskun (13.1 ppg), a third team All-Patriot league honoree, transferred to East Carolina University. Coskun took a team-high 359 shots.
Can Bucknell find enough offense to make a push into the top half of the conference? The Bison were last in league play with just 50.6 points per game last year.
Bucknell’s controlled pace is a factor in its lower scores. However, the squad frequently struggled to find good shots in the halfcourt last season and shot just 37.5% from the floor — good for seventh in the league.
Expect that tempo to change a bit this season as the Bison increase their pace of play and movement in the halfcourt.
A healthy Elana Weisman is a bright spot for head coach Trevor Woodruff’s team. The junior posted 10.4 points per game last year before being lost to injury.
Bucknell has only one senior but the team will field a veteran line-up.
Classmates Reese Zemitis (9.7 ppg) and Isabella Casey (7.5 ppg) anchor an experienced core and will be counted on to elevate their play again this season.
Expect freshman Tessa Liggio to find an early season role in the rotation.
If the Bison can stay healthy, coach Woodruff’s squad may be a tough out in March.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: The Bison emerge as a contender, moving up the standings into a top four finish. The team advances to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: Increased tempo doesn’t improve offensive output and Bucknell lands as a seventh or eighth seed in the first round of the playoffs
2025-2026 record: 7-24
Conference record: 2-16 (10th seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Shannon Bush, 2nd season
- Record at Colgate: 7-24
- Career NCAA record: 7-24
Bush enters her second season on the bench for the Raiders. She came to Colgate after serving as associate head coach at Cornell in 2024-25. Bush previously served on staff at Fresno State, Siena, Vermont and Sacred Heart.
Bush played four years for Holy Cross, graduating in 2006.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Ella Meabon, 5’8, SR: 14.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 36.4% FG, 37.7% 3PT FG, 32.1 MPG, 31 GP, 30 starts, Third Team All Patriot League
G-Amarah Streiff, 5’10, SR: 5.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 25.3% FG, team-high 33 3-pointers, 26 steals, 27.8 MPG, 23 GP, 22 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
G-Madison Schiller, 5’8, SR: 9.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 37.9% FG, 28.9% 3PT FG, team-high 32 steals, 37.3 MPG, 21 GP, 20 starts (graduated)
F-Abbey Ferguson, 5’11, SR: 4.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 45.1% FG, 36.4% 3PT FG, team-high 26 blocks, 33.5 MPG, 31 GP, 31 starts (graduated)
F- Christina Midgette, 6’0, SR: 3.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 31.9% FG, 27 steals, 19.9 MPG, 29 GP, 19 starts (graduated)
G-Anne Bair, 5’8, SR: Injured after three games in 2025-26 season. Previous season’s statistics listed: 12.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 40.8% FG, 37.1% 3PT FG, team-high 54 steals, 33.6 MPG, 33 GP, 33 starts (graduate transfer to George Washington University)
NEWCOMERS:
G-T’Maea Eteuati, 5’8, (Surprise, AZ), FR
G-Fleur Gamal, 6’2, (Edinburgh, Scotland), FR
G-Molly Corcoran, 5’8, (Medford, MA), FR
G-Mia Brockmeyer, 5’9, (Lynnwood, WA), FR
G-Kendall Konigsberg, 5’10, (Rye Brook, NY), FR
F-Kaila Francis, 6’2, (Lebanon, PA), FR
OUTLOOK: The Raiders endured a challenging season in head coach Shannon Bush’s first campaign in Hamilton. Adversity in the form of injuries and a slew of heartbreaking losses combined to produce just a seven-win season.
Why are things looking up for Colgate? Committed coaching. Don’t let the record fool you, Bush turned in one of the best coaching performances in the league last year. She generated buy-in from her squad and began building a competitive and collaborative culture.
Last season was one heartbreak after another. The Raiders dropped all four of their overtime games last season and lost five games in league play by five points or less.
The team never relented and kept its competitive desire, culminating in an upset road win over Bucknell in the first-round of conference playoffs.
Colgate will continue to struggle with size and be challenged to match the depth, talent and experience of the top half of the league.
Senior guard Ella Meabon (14.4 ppg) will lead a rotation that will include several new faces. If the unit can limit its turnovers and grow its offense, the Raiders will be a very scrappy underdog at playoff time.
Colgate won’t be a championship contender this season, but its consistent relentlessness makes it one of the most enjoyable squads to follow in the league.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: Meabon has another breakout season and Bush sees her recruiting class produce several consistent performers by season’s end. Another first round playoff win, and a competitive quarterfinal will be positive developments.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: Colgate continues to have turnover issues and its offensive development suffers. The team struggles to find a consistent rotation and lands back in the first round of conference playoffs.
2025-2026 record: 23-10
Conference record: 14-4 (2nd seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Candice Green, 3rd season
- Record at Holy Cross: 42-22
- Career NCAA record: 61-35 (interim head coach for Fordham University in 2022-23)
Green enters her third season as head coach with the Crusaders. Green served as interim head coach when Maureen Magarity stepped down in Aug. 2024.
Prior to joining Holy Cross as an assistant in 2023, the Colgate graduate spent the previous four years as an assistant coach at Fordham including a season as interim head coach in 2022-23. Green led the Rams to a 19-13 record and an appearance in the WNIT.
Green spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Colgate. She was a two-time captain for the Raiders.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Kendall Eddy, 5’7, SR: 7.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 38.1% FG, 30.9% 3PT FG, team-high 70 steals, 28.4 MPG, 33 GP, 30 starts, Patriot League All-Defensive Team
G-Janie Bachmann, 5’11, SR: 5.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 22 blocks, 46.8% FG, 16.7 MPG, 33 GP, 3 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES (last season’s stats)
G-Kaitlyn Flanagan, 5’8, SR: 9.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 44.2% FG, led team in assists (136), 30.5 MPG, 33 GP, 33 starts, Second Team All-Patriot League (graduated)
G-Simone Foreman, 5’9, SR: 8.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 39.7% FG, 28.1 MPG, 31 GP, 31 starts (graduated)
F-Meg Cahalan, 6’2, SR: 15.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 46.9% FG, 86.0% FT, 28.9 MPG, 32 GP, 32 starts, First Team All-Patriot League (graduated)
G-Mary-Elizabeth Donnelly, 5’11, SR: 7.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 42.3% FG, 35.3% 3PT FG, team-high 48 made 3-pointers, 27.8 MPG, 33 GP, 33 starts (graduated)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Maddie Provost, 5’8, (Albion, ME) FR
G-Camden Epstein, 5’10, (Wyckoff, NJ) FR
F-Abigail Casper, 6’, (Cromwell, CT) FR
F-Emma Lizotte 6’3, (Saco, ME) JR (transfer from Quinnipiac University)
G-Colleen Phiri, 5’11, (Haverhill, MA) SO (transfer from George Washington University)
OUTLOOK: Holy Cross is projected for a fourth-place finish in the preseason poll and this season may have the defending champions on the outside looking in for the chase to the championship.
The 2025-26 season was a magical ride in Worcester: a healthy year for the team’s starters, a breakout campaign from forward Meg Cahalan and an incredible regular season-ending run to a pivotal two-seed spot.
The four senior starters capped careers that included three conference titles. Is it too much for fans to expect another title push?
In a word: yes.
But Holy Cross is a dynasty in the Patriot League with 14 championships. Its legacy won’t allow for tempered expectations even when the climb might look unrealistic.
If there’s a path to a championship, it starts with senior guard Kendall Eddy. The 5’7 playmaker impacts both ends of the floor (7.8 ppg and 70 steals) for head coach Candice Green. The Crusaders will need more scoring punch and her leadership to help bring along four new regular starters.
Scoring will be a challenge for this year’s squad. Guard Colleen Phiri should help. The sophomore transfer from George Washington University made four starts for the Revolutionaries and appeared in 29 games, averaging 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest.
Expect senior guard Janie Bachmann to also play a big role for the Crusaders, especially on defense. Green will lean on her team’s defense, which was tops in the league last season, limiting conference opponents to just 36.1% from the floor and 53.8 points an outing.
The Crusaders may not have the depth of experience to be considered a favorite, but they’re the champs until someone claims the crown — and they may not relent so easily.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: The Crusaders consistently win the games they’re supposed to win against the lower half of the league and earn a top-four finish. A trip to the semifinals gives the defending champs a chance to run it back.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: An inconsistent offense puts too much pressure on the defense to carry the team. Holy Cross finishes in the bottom half of the conference and lands on the road for league playoffs.
2025-2026 record: 11-19
Conference record: 7-11 (6th seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Ben O’Brien, 1st season
- Record at Lafayette: 0-0
- Career NCAA record: 117-7
Coach O’Brien enters his first season in Easton after being named head coach in April. The veteran coach moves over from D3 University of Scranton where he led the program to an appearance in the National Championship game in 2026. Scranton went 117-7 under his direction.
O’Brien was also head girls’ basketball coach at Dunmore High School in Pennsylvania for 14 seasons. He led his squad to 13 league titles and two state championship game appearances. His high school coaching career record is 347-43.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Teresa Kiewiet, 5’10, SR: 16.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 42.8% FG, 36.6% 3PT FG, 34.0 MPG, 28 GP, 28 starts, Second Team All-Patriot League
G-Talia Zurinskas, 5’7, JR: 10.6 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.8 APG, 34.8% FG, 31.3% 3PT FG, 82.4% FT, 32.8 MPG, 30 GP, 30 starts
G-Haylie Adamski, 6’1, SO: 9.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 40.1% FG, 37.6% 3PT FG, team-high 65 3-pointers, 27.5 MPG, 30 GP, 28 starts, Patriot League All-Rookie Team
F-Maddison Krug, 6’3, SO: 3.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 49.5% FG, team-high 61 offensive rebounds, 39 blocks, 23.7 MPG, 29 GP, 19 starts
F-Tasha Chudy, 6’2, SR: 6.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 38.8% FG, 75.7% FT, 22.4 MPG, 17 GP, 11 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
G-Sauda Ntaconayigize, 5’11, SR: 9.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 37.4% FG, 38.8% 3PT FG, 33.6 MPG, 25 GP, 25 starts (graduated)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Carley Voce, 5’8, (New City, NY), FR
G-Neyia Pickering, 5’7, (Upper Marlboro, MD), FR
F-Sophia Brooks, 6’1, (Clarksburg, MD), FR
F-Johari Hall, 6’, (Edmond, OK), FR
OUTLOOK: First-year coach Ben O’Brien steps in to lead a Lafayette program that hasn’t produced a winning record since posting a 15-14 mark in the 2019-20 season. O’Brien replaces Kia Damon-Olson, who was let go after nine seasons and a 92-161 record.
There’s reason to be optimistic. Although it’s his first season at the D1 level, O’Brien is a veteran coach with a successful track record.
O’Brien inherits a squad that returns five players with significant starting experience, including second team All-Patriot League guard Teresa Kiewiet (16.3 ppg and 42.8% from the floor).
League coaches feel the same optimism, slotting the Leopards in at fifth place in the preseason poll. In a top-heavy league this season, the Leopards will have plenty of opportunity to grab wins against the rest of the pack. Can the squad find the competitive consistency it’s lacked in recent seasons?
Lafayette’s strength is the inside-out play of Kiewiet and the combination of guards Haylie Adamski (9.4 ppg as a freshman) and Talia Zurinskas (10.6 ppg and 30 starts).
Keep an eye on how O’Brien transforms the defensive end. Opponents are sure to have a tougher time visiting the Kirby Sports Center this year.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: Kiewiet emerges as one of the top players in the league and a matchup problem that opens up the offense for the rest of the Leopards. O’Brien instills a confidence and consistency that helps Lafayette hang around all season in the fight for a top four finish.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: Lafayette struggles on offense and can’t solve its rebounding woes. The Leopards fall into a first-round playoff game again.
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2025-2026 record: 17-15
Conference record: 11-7 (4th seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Addie Micir, 5th season
- Record at Lehigh: 78-49
- Career NCAA record: 78-49
Micir returns for her fifth season as head coach and eighth overall on the Lehigh bench. She coached five years as assistant with Dartmouth College, one season at Princeton, and three campaigns with Lehigh before being named head coach in April, 2022.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
F-Whitney Lind, 6’2, SR: 13.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 41.6% FG, 34.0% 3PT FG, 29.9 MPG, 24 GP, 24 starts, Third Team All-Patriot League
G-Gracyn Lovette, 5’10, SR: 8.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.2 APG, led team in steals (47) and assists (122), 44.3% FG, 38.5% 3PT FG, 35.8 MPG, 29 GP, 29 starts
F-Belle Bramer, 6’1, JR: 12.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 53.9% FG, 36.0% 3PT FG, 79.2% FT, 28.1 MPG, 29 GP, 23 starts
G-Leia Edwards, 6’, SO: 13.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 48.2% FG, 35.4% 3PT FG, 79.0% FT, 37 steals, 30.1 MPG, 17 GP, 10 starts, Patriot League All-Rookie Team
G-Alana Reddy, 5’9, SO: 5.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 34.0% FG, 31.6% 3PT FG, 26.4 MPG, 32 GP, 23 starts
G-Jessie Ozzauto, 5’10, SR: 12.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, 45.5% FG, 35.9% 3PT FG, 75.0% FT, 34.8 MPG, 15 GP, 15 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
F-Lily Fandre, 6’1, SR: 15.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 41.0% FG, 29.8% 3PT FG, 37 steals, 31.5 MPG, 31 GP, 31 starts, First Team All-Patriot League (graduated)
G-Katie Hurt, 5’11, SR: 2.2 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 34.2% FG, 17.6 MPG, 31 GP, 5 starts (graduated)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Olivia Fleming, 5’8, (Windham, NH), FR
G-Mia Washington, 6’, (Warwick, NY), FR
G-Ryann Jennings, 5’10, (Devon, PA), FR
F-Olivia Johnston, 6’3, (Sydney, Australia), FR
OUTLOOK: Lehigh is poised for another run at the championship. Coach Micir’s group has experience, depth and scoring power. A healthy Mountain Hawk team will be tough to beat in March.
Despite the graduation of first team All-Patriot League forward Lily Fandre (15.3 ppg), Lehigh has plenty of star power.
Sophomore Leia Edwards’ abbreviated rookie campaign showed glimpses of the challenges she is going to pose for defenses all around the league. She helped lead the semifinal upset of top-seed Navy in last season’s playoffs, pouring in 25 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in the 81-76 overtime win.
Junior forward Belle Bramer returns (12.6 ppg) as an inside-out matchup problem for opponents. She joins 6’2 senior Whitney Lind, another forward who stretches defenses (33 3-pointers) and opens the floor.
Fans at Stabler Arena will be treated to the league’s top three-point shooting team and an offense that puts a lot of pressure on opponents. The Mountain Hawks converted 152 threes in league play and led with a 36.6% mark from deep.
Can they shoot their way to a title? They garnered the only first place vote that wasn’t cast for league-favorite Navy.
What about the defensive end?
Lehigh’s field goal percentage defense was last in conference play, allowing opponents to shoot 42.7% from the floor. Any improvement on the defensive end and the Mountain Hawks may be cutting down the nets in March.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: Lehigh wins the key regular season head-to-head matchups against Army and Navy, claims the top seed and avoids the tougher semifinal on the way to the championship.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: The Mountain Hawks earn the three-seed and fall in the semifinal despite a 20-win season.
2025-2026 record: 12-18
Conference record: 8-10 (5th seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Danielle O’Banion, 6th season
- Record at Loyola: 52-99
- Career NCAA record: 73-197 (21-98 at D1 Kent State University)
O’Banion heads into her sixth year guiding the Greyhounds. She was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2023-24. She brings over 20 years of coaching experience at the Division 1 level with assistant coaching stops at Minnesota, Memphis, Kent State and Harvard. She adds head coaching experience from a four-year run at Kent State from 2012-16. Her teams went 21-98 during her tenure.
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Amandine Amorich, 5’11, SR: 8.2 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 34.9% FG, 28 steals, 26.4 MPG, 29 GP, 17 starts
G-Kailey Kalet, 5’8, SR: 2.0 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 25.9% FG, 20.5 MPG, 30 GP, 15 starts
F-Whitley Watkins, 6’2, SO: 2.1 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 40.8% FG, 75.0% FT, 8.8 MPG, 29 GP, 0 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
F-Lex Therien, 6’1, GR: 15.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 54.5% FG, 1.8 APG, 28.1 MPG, 30 GP, 29 starts, First Team All-Patriot League (graduated)
G-Kimmie Hicks, 5’9, SR: 9.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 28.1% FG, 71.8% FT, 25.5 MPG, 22 GP, 20 starts (transfer to UNCW)
G-Cristina Garcia, 5’9, SR: 3.1 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 40.8% FG, 20.7 MPG, 30 GP, 14 starts (graduated)
F-Koi Sims, 6’0, GR: 8.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 48.7% FG, team-high 16 blocks, 26.2 MPG, 30 GP, 28 starts (graduated)
NEWCOMERS:
F-Kaitlin Totaro, 6’1, (Chicago, IL), FR
F-Talia Shumate, 6’, (Sicklerville, NJ), FR
G-Debra Wilson-Osuide, 5’10, (London, England), FR
F-Allister Caretti, 6’3, (Mercersburg, PA), FR
G-Ava Kopetskie, 5’8, (Bethlehem, PA), FR
G-Maddie Oliver, 6’, (Norwell, MA), SO (transfer from James Madison University)
F-Aidan Langley, 6’, (Coatesville, PA), SO (transfer from Towson University)
G-Tyler Edwards, 5’6, (Townsend, DE), JR (transfer from FDU)
G-Takeira Ramey, 5’7, (Stafford, VA), JR (transfer from Texas State University)
OUTLOOK: The Greyhounds will bring a new look to the court this season. The power post tandem of Lex Therien and Koi Sims is gone and the team welcomes nine new faces.
Five freshmen are joined by four players from the transfer portal. Senior point guard Kailey Kalet (15 starts) and playmaking wing Amandine Amorich (17 starts) return to larger roles.
Loyola will bring more length and athleticism to the mix this season but it’s going to take time for head coach Danielle O’Banion to grow a consistent rotation and identity.
Among the new arrivals, expect transfer guard Takeira Ramey to add some punch to both ends of the floor.
The Greyhounds will need to improve on a perimeter game that’s struggled the last few seasons. The squad converted a league-low 78 3-pointers in conference play last season, shooting 29.2% from deep.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: The recruiting class makes an impact and brings some depth to the line-up. Sophomore post Whitley Watkins has a breakout season and Loyola earns a home game for the first round of league playoffs.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: The Greyhounds can’t find a consistent rotation and struggle from behind the arc. The team finishes in 10th place.
2025-2026 record: 22-9
Conference record: 15-2 (1st seed in playoffs)
Head coach: Tim Taylor, 7th season
- Record at Navy: 71-95
- Career NCAA record: 71-95
Taylor heads into his seventh season in Annapolis. He brings 12 seasons of experience as a D1 assistant coach with a two-year stop at Furman University (1998-2000), three stints at University of Virginia (2000-05, 2009-12, 2016-2018), and a season at the University of North Carolina (2019-20).
KEY RETURNERS: (last season’s stats)
G-Zanai Barnett-Gay, 5’8, SR: 16.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.0 APG, 42.0% FG, 80.8% FT, team-high 87 steals, 33.7 MPG, 31 GP, 31 starts, First-Team All-Patriot League, Patriot League All-Defensive Team, Player of the Year
G-Julianna Almeida, 5’9, JR: 9.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 37.4% FG, 27.2% 3PT FG, 72.0% FT, 30.9 MPG, 31 GP, 30 starts, Third Team All-Patriot League
G-Zoe Mesuch, 5’5, SO: 13.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 40.1% FG, 36.9% 3PT FG, 72.2% FT, 33.1 MPG, 31 GP, 30 starts, Patriot League Rookie of the Year, Second Team All-Patriot League
G-Mary Gibbons, 5’7, JR: 4.6 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 33.3% FG, 31.5% 3PT FG, 18.9 MPG, 31 GP, 17 starts
BIGGEST LOSSES: (last season’s stats)
G-Maren Louridas, 6’, SR: 1.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 38.5% FG, 10.3 MPG, 30 GP, 10 starts (graduated)
F-Kate Samson, 6’4, SR: 6.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 54.1% FG, team-high 29 blocks, 15.4 MPG, 29 GP, 12 starts (graduated)
F-Morgan Demos, 6’2, SR: 4.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 53.3% FG, 17.0 MPG, 31 GP, 24 starts (graduated)
NEWCOMERS:
G-Kaitlyn Raagas, 5’9, (San Diego, CA), FR
G-Kelsey Rhyne, 5’9, (Mooresville, NC), FR
F-Isa Grant, 6’1, (West Hempstead, NY), FR
OUTLOOK: Navy opens the season as the clear favorite to claim the program’s first title since 2013, earning nine of 10 possible first-place votes. The Mids top the preseason league poll for the second consecutive year.
Lehigh stunned the favored hosts in Annapolis in last year’s semifinals in one of the best played games all season. Don’t expect the loss to deter head coach Tim Taylor.
The ever-optimistic Taylor returns the best starting line-up in the league, led by Patriot League Player of the Year, Zanai Barnett-Gay.
The senior guard is a three-time first-team All-Patriot League honoree and was second in the league in scoring (16.9 ppg) last year.
Barnett-Gay is joined by last season’s Rookie of the Year, Zoe Mesuch (13.4 ppg) and third team All-Patriot League guard, Julianna Almeida (9.6 ppg).
Expect Navy to again bring physicality to the defensive end and be a disruptive force. They were third in league play with 8.2 steals per game and limited opponents to just 55.4 points an outing. Barnett-Gay led the team with 87 steals for the season.
On offense, look for the Mids to push tempo. The squad’s ball pressure and pace in transition will continue to wear down opponents.
Where must Navy improve to win the program’s first championship since 2013?
Offensive efficiency and shot selection. The loss in the semifinal to Lehigh last season highlighted the focal point for a veteran team with a championship goal and expectation.
In that contest, the Mids’ defense forced 22 turnovers leading to 18 more shots than Lehigh. But Navy couldn’t slow itself down when needed to earn better shot opportunities in a competitive playoff matchup with a limited margin for error.
In those big games that go by in a blink, Navy will need to show the ability to slow down mentally and physically in crucial moments.
Expect a veteran and talented Navy team to bring the championship poise this time around. It’s Barnett-Gay’s year.
BEST CASE SCENARIO: Navy rides a balanced and explosive offensive attack straight back to the top seed. Led by a veteran core, coach Taylor and company celebrate a title in Annapolis.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: Navy falls short of the top seed, heads on the road for the championship and falls short of the title.
