KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Under head coach Kristen Nicholson, the Kutztown University women's lacrosse program has undergone a complete transformation. In just four seasons, the Golden Bears have produced the most winning seasons in program history, reached the PSAC Championship game for the first time in 40 years, earned back-to-back NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and cracked the IWLCA national rankings for the first time ever.

Now entering her fifth year at the helm, Nicholson and the No. 20 Golden Bears are intent on continuing that upward climb in 2026.

"This is a determined, focused and hungry team heading into the 2026 season," Nicholson said. "We're building on past success with a strong core of returning players and some new faces ready to help us take the next step. We're excited to get back out there and compete."

Kutztown finished the 2025 season ranked No. 23 nationally with a 9–8 overall record, including a 6–6 mark in PSAC play. Two of the Golden Bears' nine victories came against nationally ranked opponents, while seven were earned at Keystone Field. KU's strength of schedule was evident throughout the season, as six of its eight losses came against ranked competition.

That challenge continues in 2026. The Golden Bears are slated to face five nationally ranked opponents this spring, including West Chester (No. 5), Pace (No. 7), East Stroudsburg (No. 13), Saint Anselm (No. 22) and Bentley (No. 23). Kutztown will also open the season against IUP, which received votes in the 2026 IWLCA Preseason Poll.

Kutztown graduated several key seniors following the 2025 campaign, including the program's all-time leader in points, goals and draw controls. Even so, the Golden Bears welcome 10 newcomers to Keystone Field this spring: nine freshmen and one transfer, junior defender Micaiah Parks (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), who joins KU from Limestone following the university's closure.

The Bears return 21 student-athletes, including All-PSAC East Second Team selection and senior defender Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional). Davis, along with seniors Brynn Axe (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) and Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) and juniors Lauren LaMorte (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) and Maddie Wagner (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township), appeared in all 17 games last season. Juniors Alexis Plesic (Hanover, Pa./South Western) and Madison Wenner (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City) and senior Sammy Ruwet (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) each saw action in at least 15 contests.

Kutztown also welcomes back senior Rowan Hall (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern), who started 11 games before an injury cut her season short, and redshirt junior Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western), who returns after missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury. Yocum appeared in 18 games during the 2024 season and tallied 24 goals.

Several key contributors return across the field. Goalkeeper Bragg totaled 119 saves in 2025 while collecting 41 ground balls, the second-most on the team. Davis led KU with 55 ground balls and added 41 caused turnovers. Offensively, LaMorte and Wagner both eclipsed the 20-goal mark, with LaMorte finishing third on the team with 24 goals and adding 18 assists, the second-most on the roster. Wagner followed with 22 goals, while redshirt sophomore Sophie Engelhardt (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) added 15 goals of her own.

Nicholson is joined once again by assistant coach Tiffany Anderson, who enters her sixth season with the program. Former Golden Bear Olivia Eilbacher also returns to KU as a graduate assistant coach after graduating in 2025. Eilbacher finished her career ranked seventh in program history in points and third in assists.

Kutztown was picked third in the PSAC East Preseason Poll and No. 20 nationally in the IWLCA Poll. The Golden Bears open the 2026 regular season at home on Saturday, Feb. 21, hosting PSAC West opponent IUP at Keystone Field. The opening draw is set for 2 p.m.