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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Liberty was selected as the favorite to win the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Women's Lacrosse Championship with the Flames earning the top spot in the preseason coaches poll, announced by the league office Thursday.
The Flames are coming off a 12-8 season that saw the program capture its first ASUN Championship. One point separated the Jacksonville Dolphins (63) and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (62). Delaware and Lindenwood rounded out the top 5 in this season's poll.
Liberty senior, Katie Colavito was named Preseason Midfielder of the Year. Last season Colavito ranked No. 20 in the country with 2.95 caused turnovers per game. The senior notched 38 goals, six of which came in the tournament semifinal. Jacksonville's Maggie Cuddy and Brookelynn Hodgin were named Preseason Defensive Player and Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively. Cuddy totalled 43 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers last season. Her 43 ground balls ranked second in the conference. Hodgin lead the league with a 9.38 goals against average and made a season-high 13 saves in the Dolphins' 10-9 win over then-ranked No. 20 Navy. Royals attacker, Kayleen Favreau received the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor for the second consecutive year. Favreau led Queens in goals with 60 and set a new-single game goal program record with nine in the Royals' matchup against Stetson last season.
2026 Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Liberty (7), 79
2. Jacksonville, 63
3. Coastal Carolina, 62
4. Delaware (2), 60
5. Lindenwood, 44
6. Queens, 36
7. Kennesaw State, 29
8. Stetson, 20
9. Austin Peay, 12
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Kayleen Favreau, Queens
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Maggie Cuddy, Jacksonville
Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Katie Colavito, Liberty
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year: Brookelynn Hodgin, Jacksonville
2026 Preseason All-ASUN Team
A - Kayleen Favreau, Queens
A - Ainsley Scruggs, Jacksonville
A - Ava Rajala, Liberty
A - Luci Selander, Lindenwood
MF - Katie Colavito, Liberty
MF - Abby Moran, Jacksonville
MF - Gabrielle Beaudet, Coastal Carolina
MF - Allyx Berry, Jacksonville
D - Maggie Cuddy, Jacksonville
D - Jenna Burrow, Liberty
D - Grace Lord, Coastal Carolina
D - Savannah Donahue, Queens
D - Madeleine Klunder, Liberty
GK - Brookelynn Hodgin, Jacksonville
* a tie in voting resulted in a 14-person team