FOREST, Va. - The Shenandoah University women's lacrosse team was picked second in the 2026 ODAC Preseason Poll, marking its highest ranking ever in the poll, as announced by the league on Tuesday.

The Hornets, coming off an appearance in the ODAC Championship, earned two first-place votes and 92 points in this year's poll, ranking behind Washington and Lee University, which ended up with the other nine first-place tallies.

Roanoke College and Randolph-Macon College wound up in the two spots behind SU. The Maroons fell to the Hornets in the ODAC Semifinals, 10-9, in 2025. The University of Lynchburg and Bridgewater College sit in the fifth and sixth spots, respectively.

Virginia Wesleyan University, Eastern Mennonite University, Guilford College, Randolph College, and Sweet Briar College round out the poll in the final five spots.

Shenandoah went 13-7 last season with eight wins in ODAC play, including two wins over nationally-ranked teams. 

The Hornets return three of their top five point scorers from last season, along with Talia Maria and Addison Harmel, who ranked inside the top three in caused turnovers for SU. Maria, Harmel, Alex Ripkin, Ayla Jantz, and Emily Ransom all return to the team after earning All-ODAC accolades in 2025.

2026 ODAC PRESEASON POLL

Washington and Lee University (9) 99 pts.
Shenandoah University (2) 92 pts.
Roanoke College 81 pts.
Randolph-Macon College 74 pts.
University of Lynchburg 64 pts.
Bridgewater College 55 pts.
Virginia Wesleyan University 46 pts.
Eastern Mennonite University 34 pts.
Guilford College 30 pts.
Randolph College 19 pts.
Sweet Briar College 11 pts.

#GoSUHornets