Women's Lacrosse Tabbed 7th in GLVC Preseason Poll

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The McKendree University women's lacrosse team has been voted seventh in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the league's office Wednesday afternoon.

The preseason poll is determined by the league's head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not allowed to vote for their team. No. 7 McKendree earned 15 points, being four points behind No. 6 Lewis.

Head coach Natalie Simpson enters her third season with the Bearcats with first-year graduate assistant Emma Uhrig. "Mckendree Lacrosse is excited to write a new chapter with our 13 new freshmen. They have come in hungry to make an immediate impact, and I expect them to make huge contributions to us this season," added Simpson. "The impact our returns will have this season is immeasurable. They set huge expectations for the younger players coming into the fall this year and we will rely heavily on their leadership this spring."

Key returners for the Bearcats include junior attacker Jayna Barnden, who led the team offensively with 52 goals last season. Defensively, McKendree returns sophomore goalkeeper Amber Hayden with 192 goals saved the previous season and sophomore defender Lexi Macleod who led the team in draw controls last season with 57.

2025 Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll: