LA ROCHE PICKED TO DEFEND WOMEN'S LACROSSE TITLE IN 2026

Fresh off a championship run, La Roche University has been tabbed by AMCC coaches as the preseason favorite to defend its conference crown. Mount Aloysius College follows in second, with Alfred State College completing the preseason top three as teams gear up for an exciting season.

Mount Aloysius junior M Cassidy Cook has been named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while La Roche junior M Kiki Nemcek has been tabbed the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Cook was named the AMCC Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 and was an AMCC first team all-conference selection. Cook was also a member of the AMCC All-Tournament Team. She finished the season third in conference for goals (43), assists (11), and draw controls (56) and sixth in the league for ground balls (43)

Nemcek has been tabbed as a 2026 USA Lacrosse Preseason All-American (Honorable Mention). She was the 2025 AMCC Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time AMCC first team all-conference midfielder. She led NCAA Division III in caused turnovers in 2025 (67). Nemcek recorded 31 goals, six assists, 74 ground balls, and 60 draw controls.

The AMCC-United East Tournament kicks off on Tuesday, April 21 and will conclude with the AMCC division championship game on Saturday, April 25. The winner will advance to the United East Championship, set for Saturday, May 2. 

Click here for the complete women's lacrosse preseason rankings and players to watch.