SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Lawrence Tech University's Women's Lacrosse program enters the 2026 season with a preseason poll ranking of No. 2 after a 10-5 overall record and a 5-1 conference record in the 2024-2025 season. Last season the Blue Devils reached nationals and they will again set their sights on the postseason under returning Head Coach Mary Ann, who is back on the sideline after a brief hiatus. The last time she held a coaching role with the program, Lawrence Tech captured a national championship, a benchmark that now frames the expectations for this spring.
Coach Mary Ann's return provides a steadying presence for a roster anchored by experience at every level of the field. In the midfield, returners such as Emma Barton of Flushing, Michigan, and Mari Pellmann of Millstadt, Illinois, give the Blue Devils two-way options capable of impacting draw controls, transition and offensive flow. Fellow midfielders Audrey Spencer and McKenna VanZant bolster the unit's depth, allowing Lawrence Tech to maintain tempo and pressure over four quarters. That core will be central to the team's ability to control possession against a challenging non-conference and conference slate.
Offensively, Lawrence Tech appears built around a versatile attacking group that can threaten from multiple spots. Attackers and hybrid options such as Ava Graham (attack/midfield), Bella Louwerse (attack/midfield), and pure attackers like Giana Kraatz, Angela Messina, Anna Trupiano, Alyson Walendzak and Morgan Waligora give the Blue Devils a deep rotation of finishers and feeders. The variety of listed positions on the front line suggests an emphasis on interchangeable roles and movement, a system that can stretch opposing defenses and create match ups in favor of Lawrence Tech's shooters.
Defensively, the Blue Devils are built around experience and flexibility. Veterans such as defenders Carmen Foster and Sophia Loosle, along with two-way players including Jocelyn Vander Zwaag (defense/midfield) and Tiyanna Thomas (attack/defense), give Lawrence Tech options for tailoring match ups and schemes to specific opponents. In goal, the Blue Devils feature depth with returners Bella Faz from Lakeland, Florida, and Madison Gugala from Northville, Michigan, both listed at goalkeeper. That tandem gives Coach Mary Ann, who returns for his second season on staff, competition and stability at one of the team's most important positions.
The Blue Devils start the season Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, against the University of Cumberlands (Ky.) in Beverly Hills, Mich. at Detroit Country Day Stadium. A match up that will immediately test a national-caliber group. Wednesday, March 4 will be their home opener against Kalamazoo College at Blue Devils Stadium.
With a roster stocked with returners, a coaching staff led again by Head Coach Mary Ann, and a schedule that offers early and frequent tests, Lawrence Tech enters the 2026 campaign positioned to build on last season's nationals dream. The combination of championship pedigree on the sideline and depth across the field has the Blue Devils once again aiming to be part of the national conversation when the postseason picture comes into focus.
