COLONIA, N.J. – With the season around the corner, the East Coast Conference Women's lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll has dropped, and D'Youville University is picked to finish fifth this upcoming season.
 
The Saints are coming off a 5-9 record overall last season and a conference record of 2-4. D'Youville was on the outside looking in and will be looking to get back to the ECC Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons.
 
It will be a new look to the team this year under the direction of first-year head coach McKenna Rushford. D'Youville returns 11 players from last year's team as well as Sam Newlin who is back after a year off. DYU also welcomes four new players to the team, one transfer and three freshmen.
 
D'Youville begins the season on the road at Franklin Pierce University on February 25th and will welcome the University of Findlay on February 27th for the team's home opener.
 
2026 East Coast Conference Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Mercy University - 45 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Molloy University – 44 points (3 first-place votes)
3. Roberts Wesleyan University – 35 points
4. Daemen University – 28 points
5. D'Youville University – 23 points
6. St. Thomas Aquinas College – 14 points
7. University of the District of Columbia – 7 points

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Ashlinn Kelly, Mercy
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Olivia LaMonica, Mercy