Photo by: Dakota Moyer
Women’s Lacrosse Finishes No. 16 in Final IWLCA Coaches Poll
May 26 | Women's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's lacrosse wrapped up its 2026 season ranked No. 16 in the final IWLCA Coaches Poll. It marks the highest appearance in the final coaches' ranking since it closed the 2022 campaign No. 10.
Navigating one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Scarlet Knights closed the 2026 campaign with their most overall (11) and Big Ten (4) wins since 2022. The campaign was capped with the program's third NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Melissa Lehman, where RU delivered a 12-11 win over No. 17 Princeton in the opening round of the championships.
Twelve of Rutgers' 20 games in 2026 came against ranked opponents. Its victories over No. 6 Michigan, No. 17 Princeton and No. 25 Ohio State marked the most ranked wins in a season since 2023. The Scarlet Knights entered the postseason with the No. 5 SOS and a No. 20 RPI ranking.
Five student-athletes earned 2026 All-Big Ten accolades – Katie Buck (First Team), Caroline Ling (Second Team), Gabby Mariani (Freshman), Annalise Messina (Freshman) and Kate Theofield (Freshman) – the most all-conference selections for the program since its historic 2022 campaign.
Buck and Ling also collected Honorable Mention All-America laurels from USA Lacrosse Magazine and ILWomen, marking six consecutive seasons Rutgers has produced at least one All-American under Lehman. Buck and Ling earned IWLCA All-Region accolades for the first time in their respective collegiate careers.
Rutgers smashed several individual program records in 2026. Ling passed current assistant coach Taralyn Naslonski for the team's single-season points record with 97, while also becoming the 29th Scarlet Knight in program history to surpass 100 career points.
Buck secured the program's single-season and single-game draw control records, while senior captain Lily Dixon produced the most career assists (122) and single-season assists (50) in school history. Theofield's 45 goals were the most for a Rutgers freshman in the Big Ten era.
Navigating one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Scarlet Knights closed the 2026 campaign with their most overall (11) and Big Ten (4) wins since 2022. The campaign was capped with the program's third NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Melissa Lehman, where RU delivered a 12-11 win over No. 17 Princeton in the opening round of the championships.
Twelve of Rutgers' 20 games in 2026 came against ranked opponents. Its victories over No. 6 Michigan, No. 17 Princeton and No. 25 Ohio State marked the most ranked wins in a season since 2023. The Scarlet Knights entered the postseason with the No. 5 SOS and a No. 20 RPI ranking.
Five student-athletes earned 2026 All-Big Ten accolades – Katie Buck (First Team), Caroline Ling (Second Team), Gabby Mariani (Freshman), Annalise Messina (Freshman) and Kate Theofield (Freshman) – the most all-conference selections for the program since its historic 2022 campaign.
Buck and Ling also collected Honorable Mention All-America laurels from USA Lacrosse Magazine and ILWomen, marking six consecutive seasons Rutgers has produced at least one All-American under Lehman. Buck and Ling earned IWLCA All-Region accolades for the first time in their respective collegiate careers.
Rutgers smashed several individual program records in 2026. Ling passed current assistant coach Taralyn Naslonski for the team's single-season points record with 97, while also becoming the 29th Scarlet Knight in program history to surpass 100 career points.
Buck secured the program's single-season and single-game draw control records, while senior captain Lily Dixon produced the most career assists (122) and single-season assists (50) in school history. Theofield's 45 goals were the most for a Rutgers freshman in the Big Ten era.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A/M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseWomen's Lacrosse vs. No. 17 Princeton NCAA First Round Highlights | 5/8/2026
Friday, May 08
Women’s Lacrosse NCAA Tournament Press Conference
Wednesday, May 06
Rutgers women's lacrosse selected for 2026 NCAA Tournament
Monday, May 04
Women's Lacrosse vs. Oregon Highlights | 4/12/2026
Monday, April 13
