WASHINGTON - The American University lacrosse team has announced its spring 2026 schedule of 16 games, featuring some first-ever non-conference matchups and a Patriot League slate that begins in mid March. The Eagles will host eight home contests, beginning with the season opener against Georgetown on Friday, Feb. 6 at the Jacobs Recreational Complex.

Non-Conference Notes

• The Eagles will play Pittsburgh for the first time ever on March 11 in Pennsylvania, bolstering their non-conference schedule with an ACC test just before Patriot League play begins three days later. 
• It's AU's first matchup with an ACC opponent since 2015 when the Eagles played Louisville. 
• The Panthers went 8-8 overall last year, facing seven ranked opponents in a powerhouse conference and earning a notable win over #25 Notre Dame. 

Opening Weekend

• American opens the 2026 season with a double-header weekend, taking on Georgetown on Friday, Feb. 6, and Temple the next day. 
• It's the fifth year in a row that AU begins the season against the Hoyas, and the Eagles are looking for their first win against the crosstown rival. 
• Welcoming Temple for the first-ever clash between the two teams, AU is taking on an American Athletic Conference opponent for the second straight year. The Eagles defeated Charlotte on the road in overtime in 2025, 15-14. 
• The Owls return three All-AAC players and have made the AAC Tournament in three of the last five seasons. 

Around the DMV

• In addition to Georgetown, the Eagles will play four more DMV area opponents: at George Washington on Feb. 18, at Howard Feb. 21, and at home against George Mason on Feb. 27 and UMBC March 7. 
• AU took home victories against Howard, George Mason, and George Washington last year in commanding fashion, defeating all three teams by six goals or more. Returning midfielders Reagan Murdoch and Kellie Linehan had four goals apiece against the Revolutionaries. 
• AU fell to UMBC 13-10 a year ago, but defeated the Retrievers in two of the last three seasons. 

Patriot League Play

• The Eagles will play four Patriot League matches at the Jacobs Complex, and five on the road. PL play kicks off with a matchup against Colgate on March 14, which will also be Alumni Day. 
• AU heads to Lehigh on March 20, with a chance to repeat last year's performance against the Mountain Hawks. Linehan scored a career-high six goals, and American caused eight turnovers in a 17-10 win.
• Three days after hosting the defending PL champion Loyola on March 25, the Eagles begin a two-game road trip that takes them to BU, then to Army on April 4th. AU lost to the 25th-ranked Black Knights in a 16-13 shootout last year, just weeks before Army earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
• Holy Cross comes down to D.C. for American's Senior Day game on April 11th, when the Eagles will honor their eight players in their final season. The following Wednesday, AU will play its last home game of the campaign against Bucknell. 
• The season's final games will be played at Lafayette on April 18 and at Navy on April 22. Navy finished the season ranked No. 22 in the country in 2025. 

Back in the Fold

• The Eagles have a strong group of returning players in 2026, including three of last year's top five goalscorers in Murdoch, Linehan, and Annabelle Jackson. 
• Murdoch was a Second Team All-Patriot League Selection, as the senior midfielder found the back of the net 38 times, dished out seven assists, collected 23 draw controls, and caused 15 turnovers in the most productive season of her career. If she scores the same number of goals or better this season, she'll end her career in AU's top five all-time. 
• On the defensive side of the ball, starting defenders Deirdre Brown and Sammie Buonaccorsi are back as juniors. The tandem combined for 26 caused turnovers a season ago, and Brown got to 11 draw controls. 

In With the New

• AU welcomes nine new faces to the team this year: freshmen defenders Ella Daehnke, midfielders Shannon Silvius, Natalie Heirmarck, Julia Pope, and Norah Kelaher,  attackers Celia Bacik and Juliana Betts, and goalkeeper Amanda Gelfound. 
• Joining the sophomore class is the transfer goalkeeper from USF, Brooke Hill. 

STAY CONNECTED

• For the latest on AU Lacrosse, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Lacrosse) and Instagram (@au_wlax).