The William Smith lacrosse team was picked to finish in first place in the Liberty League in the 2026 women's lacrosse preseason coaches poll.
 
The Herons have won three of the last four Liberty League regular season titles and seven of the last nine tournament titles. William Smith received 94 points and six first place votes in this year's poll.
 
Ithaca, which is the defending league champion, received the other five first place votes and was second with 90 points. Union, the Bombers' opponent in last year's title game, was picked to finish third with 85 points and RIT was fourth with 77 points. RPI (54), St. Lawrence (51), Vassar (48), Rochester (34), Skidmore (34), Clarkson (28) and Bard (10) rounded out the field.  
 
William Smith was seventh in the USA Lacrosse Magazine preseason poll and 12th in the IWLCA poll. The Herons, who went 14-5 last season and 9-0 in league play, return 20 players from last year's squad, including seven of its top 10 point producers. William Smith's defense, which was 20th in the nation in scoring defense last year (7.37) will be anchored by preseason All-Americans Lily Kuhn and Janey Sypeck.
 
William Smith is scheduled to begin its season on Wednesday, Feb. 25, when it hosts Geneseo at 5 p.m. The Herons begin the Liberty League portion of its schedule March 14, when they host Skidmore at 11 a.m.