The William Smith lacrosse team will begin the 2026 season ranked 12th in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) preseason poll announced today.
 
The Herons went 14-5  last season, advancing to the sectional round of the NCAA tournament. In their third round game against No. 8 York, William Smith was edged 11-8 after a lengthy lightning delay. William Smith went 9-0 in Liberty League play on their way to capturing its 10th Liberty League Regular season title.
 
The Herons return 20 players from last year's squad, including seven of their top 10 point producers last year. Junior Kira Fulton is the top returner from last year, recording 32 goals and 22 assists in 19 games last season. Fellow junior Mia Falco was right behind her with 49 points on 29 goals and 20 assists.
 
Defensively, William Smith has to replace three of its five starters from the game against York. Senior Lily Kuhn and junior Janey Sypeck are back and started all 19 games last year. Kuhn was second on the team with 28 ground balls and 24 caused turnovers. Sypeck was right behind her with 21 caused turnovers and 24 ground balls. 

The biggest shoes to fill will be in goal. Four-year starter Maura Smeader graduated in May as the Herons' all-time wins leader (71). She was 71-12 in her four seasons in Geneva with 7.38 GAA and a .478 save percentage.
 
Head Coach Anne Phillips rounds out the 2026 squad with 16 new faces, including four transfers.
 
William Smith's schedule features five teams ranked in the IWLCA Poll. The Herons host No. 11 St. John Fisher (March 11). William Smith travels to Florida to take on No. 8 Salisbury (March 16) and USA Lacrosse Headquarters to face  No. 9 Washington and Lee (April 25). The Herons play road games at No. 23 Ithaca (April 8) and No. 5 Wesleyan (April 12).
 
William Smith will open its 2026 campaign on Feb. 25, when it welcomes Geneseo to Geneva, New York.