ANNVILLE, PA (Jan. 21, 2026) -- The DeSales University women's lacrosse team has been picked third in the MAC Freedom women's lacrosse preseason poll announced by the conference office on Wednesday morning and as voted on by the eight MAC Freedom coaches.  

The Bulldogs finished with 37 points, above them, placing second, was Lebanon Valley at 42 points, in first is Stevens with 49 points and all seven first place votes. Below DeSales in fourth is Misericordia with 28 points, rounding out the top five is Arcadia at 25 points.  

DeSales finished the 2025 season 15-3 overall, and 5-2 in the MAC Freedom play. The Bulldogs made it to the MAC Semi-Finals where they fell to Lebanon Valley in the post season.  

Samantha Broxterman returns as head coach for the Bulldogs, after being named MAC Freedom coach of the year in 2025. Last season, Broxterman guided the Bulldogs to the most wins in team history at 15 and is the all-time winningest coach in program history. Under her coaching, the Bulldogs saw seven players make the 2025 All-Conference team and break multiple records.  

Returning for the Bulldogs are seniors Emma Williamson, Christina DiGuglielmo, Bridey Lawler and Danielle Sieja, who were all named to the All-MAC  Freedom All-Conference team.  

Williamson was named to MAC Freedom All-Conference First-Team after finishing sixth on the team in goals, with 32. She had the second most ground balls in season history at 70, and broke the all time career program record with 154 ground balls.  

DiGuglielmo broke the single-season scoring record with 104 points and shattered the single-season assist record with 66, her total points and assists ranked first in the conference. Heading into her senior year, DiGuglielmo ranks first in all-time career points, first in assists, and fifth in goals.  

Lawler and Sieja were named All-MAC Freedom Honorable Mentions in the 2025 season. Lawler finished fourth on the team in scoring with 50 goals and 10 assists totaling 60 points. Sieja finished eighth on the team in scoring with 22 goals and 10 assists for 32 points. On the defensive side of the ball she caused a team-leading 45 turnovers, the most in a single-season in team history.  

The Bulldogs open the season on February 13th facing McDaniel College at home at 4:30PM. MAC Freedom action begins on April first when DeSales travels to Lebanon Valley College.  

2026 MAC Freedom Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll 

1. Stevens – 49 (7 first place votes) 

2. Lebanon Valley – 42 

3. DeSales – 37 

4. Misericordia – 28 

5. Arcadia – 25 

6. FDU – Florham – 22 

7. King's - 13 

8. Delaware Valley – 8