Cornell Women’s Lacrosse Ready to Embrace Youth, Speed and the Battle in 2026

2/12/2026 12:00:00 PM | By: Emmie Agee, Assistant Director of Editorial Content

ITHACA, N.Y. — A new spring brings new energy for Cornell women's lacrosse, and for The Karin Bain Kukral '82 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse Jenny Graap, that energy is rooted in speed, hunger and an emerging identity built on embracing the process.

The Big Red enter the 2026 season coming off a 9–6 campaign in 2025, including a 3–4 mark in Ivy League play. While last year's squad leaned heavily on one of the largest senior classes in program history, this season's team looks markedly different — younger, faster and eager to prove itself in one of the nation's most competitive conferences.

"We understand we're young," Graap said. "We understand we're underdogs. But we want to be a hungry team that loves the battle and loves the process of getting better every single day."

Coaching Staff Continuity

Cornell returns a seasoned and stable coaching staff to guide its continued growth in 2026. Head coach Jenny Graap is joined by assistant coach Sarah Burlingame, now in her third season and the program's primary defensive coach, along with Riley Vanholtz in her second year overseeing the offense and draw control. Ashley O'Brien, also in her third season, serves as the team's primary goalkeeper coach while contributing to defensive strategy, a role Graap has noted as a significant asset given the depth and competitiveness of the goalie room. Director of Operations, Rachel Rosenberg, rounds out the staff.

What excites Graap most about this group is clear: speed and athleticism across the roster.

"I'm super excited about our speed and athleticism," she said. "With the way the game has evolved, speed is such an important element — pushing transition, pressuring defensively, and playing with pace."

That speed has been sharpened through an offseason focused on conditioning, led by strength coach Erika Rogan. All 36 healthy players passed the program's January conditioning test, a benchmark that carries meaning across generations of Cornell lacrosse alumni.

"That's a milestone," Graap said. "It tells us we're prepared physically to take on the season."

With just seven seniors on the roster after graduating 16 a year ago, Cornell is younger and less experienced, but Graap sees opportunity in that shift.

"We're not going to overthink things," she said. "We're going to lean into who we are, acknowledge that mistakes may happen, and attack the season with a lighter spirit and strong culture."

That culture, Graap noted, was left in a strong place by the 2025 senior class, allowing the program to build rather than reset.

Cornell's leadership group is anchored by three captains who set the tone across all three lines.

Senior Mackenzie Clark emerged as the team's starting goalkeeper late last season and now returns as a captain.

"She embodies incremental growth," Graap said. "She anchors our defense and has grown tremendously as both a player and a leader."

Joining her in the defensive end is two-time captain Caitlin Tully, a second-team All-Ivy selection in 2025.

"Caitlin just stacks great season after great season," Graap said. "Having two captains in the backfield is a huge strength for us."

The third captain, junior Ellie Bergin, has been a leader since the moment she arrived on East Hill, earning the program's underclassmen leadership award in each of her first two seasons.

"It's no surprise she was voted captain," Graap said. "She impacts the draw, and this year we've strategically moved her into the offensive end to help develop our younger attackers."

Mackenzie Clark headlines a competitive goalkeeper unit that also includes junior Lucy Gomez and sophomore Angelia Oechsle.

Gomez returns healthy after battling injuries early in her career, while Oechsle, a Rochester native, brings a strong high school pedigree and a bright future.

"All three goalies push each other every day," Graap said. "The chemistry and camaraderie in that group is special."

Cornell's defense blends veteran leadership with emerging depth. Seniors Caitlin Tully, Ava Butz and Sorelle Lawton provide experience and stability, with Butz poised for what Graap anticipates could be a breakout season.

Junior Morgan Massey is expected to play a key role after gaining experience in zone concepts, while juniors Julia Ramsey, Kelsey Clark, Julia Piersol and Drew Parker all look primed to see increased time.

Sophomore Dylan Agron adds further depth, while the freshman class has already made an impression. Lucy Yu, a high school player of the year, stood out during fall ball with her tenacity and quickness, while Ellie Andersen adds size and Marissa Kamin brings a relentless, competitive edge.

If there is a position group that defines Cornell's 2026 identity, it may be the midfield.

"This group is fast, athletic and exciting," Graap said.

Senior Dillyn Patten leads the unit as the team's only senior two-way midfielder. An All-Ivy honoree in 2025, Patten brings elite speed and transition ability, having also represented Team England internationally. She will shoulder a major leadership role this spring before continuing her career as a graduate student at Clemson.

Junior Cameron Traveis and sophomores Lexie Tully, Harper Friedholm and Sophia Ciaglo round out the experienced core, with Tully emerging alongside Patten as one of the top midfield options.

The spotlight, however, shines brightly on a talented freshman class. Gretta White brings international experience with Argentina, Ellie Borhhoeft arrives as the USA Lacrosse Midwest Midfielder of the Year, and Madeline Pohmer and Devon St. John have impressed with their reliability and pace.

Maddie Tully, one of the most highly regarded recruits in the class, is currently rehabbing an injury and is expected to return later in the spring.

"To say you're young is one thing," Graap said. "To say you're young and they can play — that's exciting. This class is going to be formative for our program."

Cornell's offense will feature a blend of proven production and new opportunity. Senior Ella Wilmot headlines the unit after a strong junior season.

"She's incredibly quick — lightning fast," Graap said. "She draws so much attention and creates opportunities for everyone else."

Wilma is joined by Bergin, sophomore Kathleen Michaud — who returns healthy after missing much of 2025 — and senior Emily Iacobellis, whose development has been one of the highlights of the preseason.

"Mike [Iacobellis' nickname] has the most powerful shot on the team," Graap said. "Her growth has been dramatic."

The Big Red expect to utilize an overload offense to get additional sticks involved, with Mason Mantey, Holly Newman, Lilly Whaling and junior Dylan Madigan providing depth and flexibility. Younger attackers Lily Mullen, Addie Smith and Maeve Mackenzie will continue to push for roles, with Smith also factoring into draw control duties.

Cornell opens the season with a trip to Colorado to face Colorado and UC Davis in a challenging opening weekend.

"Traveling to Colorado is new and exciting," Graap said. "We'll have amazing support from a strong group of Cornell Lacrosse alumni and families in the Denver area, and it's a great early test for us."

As the Big Red turns the page to spring, the message remains simple.

"Be 1–0 every week," Graap said. "Love the battle, stay true to who we are, and improve every day."

For a young Cornell squad eager to carve out its identity, the journey — and the fight — begins now.

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