5 Golden Milestones That Define Marquette Women's Lacrosse And The Explosive 2026 Season Outlook

As of late December 2025, the Marquette University Women's Lacrosse program is not just building a legacy—it is actively redefining it. The Golden Eagles are riding a wave of unprecedented success, culminating in a strong 2025 season that has set the stage for a monumental 2026 campaign. With a new recruiting class signed, a competitive schedule announced, and the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament bid still fresh in the rearview mirror, the future of Marquette lacrosse has never looked brighter. The team, led by its foundational head coach, continues to challenge the established hierarchy of the Big East Conference. Their recent achievements, including hosting the conference tournament and producing record-breaking offensive talent, solidify their position as one of the most exciting and rapidly ascending programs in Division I women's lacrosse.

The Foundation: Marquette Women's Lacrosse Program Profile & History

The Marquette Women's Lacrosse program is a relatively young entity in the NCAA Division I landscape, but its impact has been swift and significant. The program officially began play in the 2013 season, making its rapid climb to national recognition all the more impressive.

• Program Founding: 2013 Season (First competitive season).
• Head Coach: Meredith Black. She was named the program's first head coach on February 4, 2011, and has been the driving force behind the team's entire history, establishing a "gold standard" culture.
• Home Field: Valley Fields, located on the Marquette University campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Conference: Big East Conference.
• First NCAA Tournament Bid: 2023. The No. 19 Golden Eagles (15-3, 5-1 BIG EAST) earned an at-large bid to the NCAA DI Women's Lacrosse Championship, a historic first for the program.
• First BIG EAST Tournament Host: The team hosted the BIG EAST Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship for the first time in program history, underscoring their rise to conference elite status.

Coach Black's tenure has been marked by consistent improvement and a commitment to competing at the highest level. Her long-standing presence ensures stability and a unified vision as the team moves into its next decade of competition.

The Golden Standard: Key Achievements from the 2025 Season

The 2025 season served as a crucial bridge year, maintaining the elite performance standards established in the historic 2023 campaign. The Golden Eagles finished the season with a strong overall record of 10-6-0, proving their resilience and competitive edge against a challenging schedule.

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The team's offense was a particular highlight throughout the season. Marquette ranked third in the Big East in overall goals per game, averaging an explosive 20.81 goals over 16 games.

Record-Breaking Talent and 2025 Leadership

Several individual players delivered standout performances that drove the team's success and earned them recognition across the conference. The program's commitment to developing elite talent is evident in the achievements of its top scorers and leaders.

Olivia Ripple, a dynamic attacker, etched her name into the program's record books by breaking the single-game scoring record during a win.

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Attacker Meg Bireley was another offensive powerhouse, noted for being a top performer in the Big East, further solidifying Marquette's reputation for high-powered scoring.

The 2025 team was guided by a quartet of influential captains: Hanna Bodner, Lily Dietrich, Devon Ortman, and Lorelai VanGuilder. Their leadership was instrumental in navigating the competitive Big East schedule and securing a spot in the 2025 BIG EAST Women's Lacrosse Tournament.

The Road to 2026: Schedule, Roster, and Recruiting Class

The momentum from the successful 2025 season is already translating into high expectations for the upcoming 2026 campaign. The Marquette Women's Lacrosse team is preparing for a competitive schedule designed to test their mettle and prepare them for another run at the Big East Championship and NCAA Tournament.

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A Challenging 2026 Schedule

The official 2026 Women's Lacrosse Schedule has been announced, promising an exciting season for the Golden Eagles faithful. The schedule features a competitive mix of non-conference matchups and crucial Big East battles.

One of the season's highlights will be the eight home games slated to be played at Valley Fields. These home contests are vital for building team chemistry and leveraging the energy of the Milwaukee crowd. The season kicks off with an exhibition game against the University of Chicago on January 31, followed by an early season contest against Eastern Michigan University.

The Future is Now: The 2026 Recruiting Class

In a major boost for the program's long-term strength, Head Coach Meredith Black announced the signing of a significant 2026 recruiting class. This class of 12 new student-athletes is expected to inject fresh talent and depth into the roster, ensuring the team remains competitive for years to come.

The infusion of new talent will complement the returning core of players, including established names from the 2026 roster such as Tess Osburn, Hanna Bodner, Dani Serrano, CJ Meehan, Haley Brown, Riley Leversedge, and Julia Evens.

Topical Authority: Marquette’s Big East and National Ascent

Marquette’s trajectory in the Big East Conference has been a case study in program development. Since joining the conference, the team has consistently improved its standing, culminating in historic milestones that have raised the program’s national profile.

The 2023 NCAA Tournament at-large bid was a watershed moment, signaling the program's arrival on the national stage. This achievement demonstrated that Marquette can compete with and defeat the country's top lacrosse programs.

Furthermore, the opportunity to host the BIG EAST Women's Lacrosse Championship in a recent season was a direct reflection of the team's high seeding and success within the conference standings. It provides a significant home-field advantage and a massive boost to the program's visibility and recruiting efforts.

As the Golden Eagles enter the 2026 season, they are no longer viewed as an upstart. They are a recognized contender, consistently battling top-tier Big East rivals like Denver, UConn, and Georgetown for conference supremacy. The team's sustained offensive output and Meredith Black's veteran leadership suggest that more NCAA Tournament appearances and a potential first-ever Big East Championship crown are well within reach.

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