BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – Frostburg State University was chosen as the preseason favorite in the  2026 Mountain East Conference Women’s Lacrosse poll after winning their third straight league championship, the conference announced on Wednesday. 

The Bobcats picked up five first place votes, while the University of Charleston received one first-place vote. Wheeling, Davis & Elkins, Point Park and West Virginia Wesleyan finished out the poll. 

Dominican University of California, which joined as an associate member last year, will compete in the MEC Championship but is not eligible for the preseason poll.

Frostburg State defeated Dominican (Ca.) in the 2025 MEC Championship game, 13-11. Three Bobcats earned All-MEC accolades at the conclusion of the tournament, including alumna Julia Badalato, senior attack Neila Haney and senior midfield Daniella Boss (MVP). Additionally, three student athletes earned MEC Yearly awards, including sophomore midfielder Kamryn Lee being named Freshman of the Year, senior defender Jessie Bare as Defender of the Year and alumna Camden DeMaio as Player of the Year. Historically, the Bobcats are the first program to represent the MEC in the NCAA Division II tournament.

The MEC women’s lacrosse preseason poll was decided by the head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.

2026 MEC Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll 
1. Frostburg State - 25 (5)
2. Charleston - 20 (1)
3. Wheeling - 17
4. Davis & Elkins - 13
5. Point Park - 10
6. West Virginia Wesleyan - 5

( ) – First-place votes
* Coaches unable to vote for own teams