FOREST, Va. – In year two of the Taylor Cline era, the Guilford College women's lacrosse team targets their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tournament berth since 2021, and to exceed league expectations after getting picked ninth in the ODAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference offices on Tuesday afternoon.

"We are looking forward to another challenging season in the ODAC," Women's Lacrosse Head Coach, Taylor Cline said. "Our goal is to rise to the occasion and put our best foot forward every time we step on the field. Regardless of the score, we want teams to remember playing Guilford for all the right reasons. We are focused on securing more ODAC wins than in previous years and earning a playoff berth. I am confident in our team and their work ethic to achieve these goals."

While losing one of the most prolific scorers in program history, Maggie Hartnett '24, MISM 25 stings, the Quakers feel confident in their ability to fill her production with internal improvement, as well as external additions. Individually, the outlook is that transfer add Hannah McMasters (Brown Summit, N.C.) from Division-I Delaware State University will fill much of the lost offensive production. Last season with the Hornets, McMasters showcased a balanced offensive game, finishing second on the team in total points, with 16, while pacing DSU in assists with seven on top of nine goals scored. That noted, GC will lean on improvement from their collection of returners in order to take the next step forward, namely sophomore Carm DeFeo (Shelton, Conn.) and third-year members, Emma Garland (Hampstead, N.C.) and Kylie Wood (Greensboro, N.C.). DeFeo started and finished the season strong for GC, showing flashes of being able to take over a game offensively with several three-plus goal outbursts on her way to 28 goals, third-most on the team while also finishing third on the roster with 44 draw controls and she will eye more consistency in her second season in Greensboro. Garland was a quiet key contributor last spring, showing vast improvement on the draw, gathering a team-leading 60 on the year while finishing as the team runner-up among field players in caused turnovers, with 24, and groundballs, with 38. Netting 26 goals and assisted on eight others, Garland finished third on the team with 34 points and continued assent from the junior would go a long way in balancing the GC attack. Finally, Wood netted 17 goals, including 10 in the Quakers' final five games and if she can maintain that production throughout the 2026 season, it will be a big boost for GC. Transfer pickup, Laihla Stevens (Waldorf, Md.) from Greensboro College will also lend a hand in her second season of collegiate lacrosse after netting a couple goals in limited action last season for the Pride. The kicker for Guilford could be the add of Emily Parker (Lillington, N.C.) from the women's soccer team. Showcasing brilliant footwork, speed, and agility on the pitch, if those traits translate, Parker has a chance to be a difference-maker on the Quaker attack.

The loss of Sammy Keene '25, who graduated multiple semesters early, stings the Guilford defense after she held up well in her first full season in net despite being under duress seemingly all year. GC now will turn to or freshman Marlene Nusraty (Damascus, Md.) to start the spring in the cage, while sophomores Kennedy Gates (Cornelius, N.C.) and Re'lla Grissett (Fayetteville, N.C.) backing her up. Gates saw some action last year, starting four games, but experienced a tough time against the speed of the collegiate game, allowing nearly 19.0 goals per game. That said, adjustments and experience should help her find more success, as would improved play in front of her from a defensive group that includes seniors Brenna Holden (Kernersville, N.C.), Natalia Rubio (Greensboro, N.C.), Karly Smith (Greensboro, N.C.), Leyla Strong (Concord, N.C.), and Trinity Whitfield (Greensboro, N.C.), as well as transfer add, Peyton Colvin (Covington, Va.).

Guilford begins their 2026 campaign on the road opposite Pfeiffer University on Saturday, February 14^th at 3:00 PM. They follow that up with their home and ODAC opener against conference favorite, preseason No. 9 Washington & Lee University on Tuesday, February 17^th at 4:30 PM.
 

Rk.	School (First-Place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Washington & Lee University (9)	99 pts.
2.	Shenandoah University (2)	84 pts.
3.	Roanoke College	83 pts.
4.	Randolph-Macon College	74 pts.
5.	University of Lynchburg	62 pts.
6.	Bridgewater College	51 pts.
7.	Virginia Wesleyan University	44 pts.
8.	Eastern Mennonite University	42 pts.
9.	Guilford College	28 pts.
10.	Randolph College	17 pts.
11.	Sweet Briar College	16 pts.

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