Posted: Feb 06, 2026

Women's Lacrosse Slated 12th in GNAC Preseason Poll

WINTHROP, Mass. - Following a vote amongst the league's head coaches, the Elms College Women's Lacrosse team has been selected to finish twelfth in the 2026 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll, as announced on Friday afternoon.

2026 GNAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll Release - February 6, 2026

Elms is entering their fifth season with the GNAC, when asked about competing and the outlook for the upcoming season Coach Patty Pehnke stated that "we have a lot of new faces on the field this year. Everyone is working very hard for pre-season. We are the underdogs, and I'm excited to see what we can do".

The Blazers finished their season with an overall record of 2-11, with a 2-9 conference record. After missing the GNAC Tournament last year, the Elms Women's Lacrosse team is ready to build upon their hard work during the offseason.

Elms will start the season at home on Wednesday, February 25th hosting Mount Holyoke College at 6 pm at Leary Field. The Blazers will travel to Vermont State University-Castleton for their first road contest on Saturday, February 28th at 12 pm. Elms will open conference play on Saturday, March 7th hosting Emmanuel College at 12 pm.

The 2026 GNAC Tournament will begin on Saturday, April 25th for the Quarterfinals of the tournament leading up to the Championship which will be held on Saturday, May 2nd in which the winning team will have a chance to qualify into the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament.

2026 GNAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Emmanuel College ……………………………..…. 190 (10)

2. Norwich University ………..………………………. 179 (2)

3. Saint Joseph's College of Maine ……….. 167

4. Colby-Sawyer College ………………………….. 147

5. Lasell University ……………………………………… 122

6. Simmons University ………………..……………. 110 (1)

7. Rivier University ……………………………………… 107

8. Regis College ……………………….…………….. 105 (1)

9. Dean College ……………………….…………….. 103

10. New England College …………………………. 77

11. Univ. of Saint Joseph, Conn. ……………….. 73