BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The American University women's lacrosse team was picked to finish sixth in the Patriot League preseason poll, receiving 74 total votes. The Eagles will open their season at Cooper Field against nearby Georgetown on Friday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m., before returning home for another crosstown matchup against Howard at Jacobs Complex the following Tuesday at 1 p.m. The squad will open conference play at Patriot League preseason #1 Loyola Maryland on Feb. 15.

AU is coming off a strong 2024 campaign in which the Eagles just missed the Patriot League Tournament. Their conference record of 3-6 put them in a four-way tie for fifth place in the standings, but tiebreakers did not fall their way for the six-team conference tournament. If American matches this year's preseason ranking, it will secure a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. 

The Eagles are returning 12 seniors this year, including goalkeeper Caleigh Forti. The transfer from Rutgers was outstanding in her first season at AU, finishing second in the Patriot League in saves per game (10.29) and save percentage (47%), and set a program record for saves in a game with 21 against Navy in the season finale. Junior Reagan Murdoch is also returning as American's top goal-scorer from last year. The midfielder broke out in 2024 to score 33 goals and record 44 points, leading the Eagles in both categories. 

Voting for the Patriot League preseason poll was conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. Neither group was permitted to vote for their own team or players.

2025 Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll

1. Loyola Maryland (17 first-place votes), 161 points
2. Navy (3), 145
3. Army West Point, 130
4. Holy Cross, 112
5. Lehigh, 87
6. American, 74
7. Bucknell, 68
8. Colgate, 64
9. Boston University, 35
10. Lafayette, 24

2025 Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason Major Awards

Attacker of the Year – Georgia Latch, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Midfielder of the Year – Chase Boyle, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Defensive Player of the Year – Lily Osborne, Loyola Maryland, Sr.
Goalkeeper – Lauren Spence, Loyola Maryland, Sr.

2025 Preseason Women's Lacrosse All-Patriot League Team
Brigid Duffy, Army West Point, Jr., M
Allison Reilly, Army West Point, Jr., A
Allie Boyce, Bucknell, Sr., A
Lucy Licata, Colgate, Sr., A
Ella Kittredge, Holy Cross, Sr., M
Racheli Levy-Smith, Holy Cross, Jr., D
Isabella Miller, Holy Cross, Sr., A
Chase Boyle, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Georgia Latch, Loyola Maryland, Sr., A
Lily Osborne, Loyola Maryland, Sr., D
Lauren Spence, Loyola Maryland, Sr., GK
Alyssa Daley, Navy, Sr., D
Tori DiCarlo, Navy, Sr., A
Emily Messinese, Navy, Sr., A
Mikayla Williams, Navy, So., M
Ava Yovino, Navy, Jr., M

For the latest on American University lacrosse, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@au_lacrosse) and Instagram (@au_wlax).