BOSTON – The University at Albany women's lacrosse team has been picked to finish first in the America East in the conference's annual preseason poll, as voted on by the league's seven head coaches.
 
UAlbany earned 35 points and five first-place votes in the poll. Bryant followed with 30 points and two first-place votes, while UMass Lowell finished third with 27 points. Vermont (18), UMBC (16), Binghamton (15), and New Hampshire (6) rounded out the conference.
 
2026 America East Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
UAlbany, 35 Points (5 First-Place Votes)
Bryant, 30 (2)
UMass Lowell, 27
Vermont, 18
UMBC, 16
Binghamton, 15
New Hampshire, 6
 
In addition, the America East announced its Preseason All-Conference Team, which features two Great Danes. Delilah Mile was named Preseason All-Conference on defense, while Paisley Cook earned Preseason All-Conference honors as a draw control specialist.
 
Cook is coming off her sophomore season in which she earned America East First Team honors, while Mile was named an America East Second Team selection.
 
2026 America East Women's Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team
A Emma Blloshmi (Binghamton)
A Emily DeGeorge (Bryant)
A Lydia Doraz (Vermont)
A Emily Knapp (UMBC)
M Tess Curtis (UMBC)
M Audra Hansen (UMass Lowell)
M Mara O'Riley (Bryant)
D Sabine Godwin (Vermont)
D Ella Killian (UMBC)
D Delilah Mile (UAlbany)
D Kaelynn O'Brien (Bryant)
D Jessica Tosone (Bryant)
DC Paisley Cook (UAlbany)
GK Alexa Kuhn (UMass Lowell)
 
The Great Danes are coming off two America East Championships in the last three seasons, having claimed conference titles in 2023 and 2025.
 
UAlbany is set to host eight home games during the 2026 season, highlighted by non-conference matchups against Syracuse, Boston College, and Harvard, as well as a rematch of the 2025 America East Championship against Bryant.
 
Stay up to date with UAlbany women's lacrosse by following the team on X (@UAlbanyWLax) and Instagram (UAlbanyWLax) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.