Despite the lingering winter chill, the promise of spring is coming, and with that a familiar sense of anticipation is building at Klöckner Stadium for the Virginia women's lacrosse team. The Cavaliers are set to open their 2026 campaign Feb. 6 versus Navy — marking the beginning of a season that serves as both a high-level pursuit of an ACC title and a celebration of the program's 50th anniversary.
Following a 2025 season that saw the Cavaliers navigate growing pains in their new era under Coach Sonia LaMonica, the team now finds itself at a critical turning point. Last spring was a journey of exciting offensive bursts balanced by the inevitable inconsistencies that come with a roster transitioning between tactical philosophies — Virginia finished with a 12–7 record and an early exit in the NCAA Tournament.
However, the metrics from 2025 tell the story of a team on the verge of a breakthrough — Virginia averaged nearly 14 goals per game and dominated the draw circle, led by a group of underclassmen who have transitioned from being the future of the squad into its battle-tested present.
Central to the Cavaliers’ aspirations this season is a trio of Preseason All-Americans. Junior midfielder Kate Galica, a first-team selection, is returning as perhaps one of the most versatile players in the ACC. After a sophomore campaign where she led the team with an astounding 179 draw controls and made 47 goals, Galica's presence is the engine that allows Virginia to dictate the tempo of the game — her invitation to the U.S. National Team training camp this winter underscores her ascent into the elite tier of collegiate lacrosse players.
Complimenting Galica's talent is the clinical precision of junior attacker Madison Alaimo. A second-team preseason honoree, Alaimo is the de facto leader of the offense — her 58 assists last season were a testament to her vision and ability to exploit the slightest defensive lapses. When the ball is in her stick, the Cavalier offense moves with a fluidity that is difficult to stop.
Rounding out this decorated group is junior attacker Jenna DiNardo, whose 53 goals last season led the team and earned her third-team preseason recognition. Together, these three veterans provide a level of continuity and strength that makes Virginia a daunting matchup for any defensive unit.
The team also has a strong new class of 10 players joining them, including the freshman attacker Annabell Adams. Adams arrives on Grounds already highly decorated, including being named in the Top 50 of the Nike Lacrosse/IL Power 100 Freshmen Rankings. Adams has played on the national stage, giving her big game experience that is rare for a freshman.
Joining her is freshman midfielder Cady Flaherty, a relentless threat from Long Island who was named a NHSSCA All-American her senior year. The class is also strengthened by the local freshman midfielder Blair Fox, a 2025 Four-Star recruit who will help provide another layer of depth to the roster already returning 27 players from last year.
The 2026 schedule is a challenging one, designed to test the Cavaliers early and often. After the season opener against Navy and a midweek clash against Richmond, Virginia will travel to College Park, Md., Feb. 14 for a rivalry game against a strong Maryland team.
The ACC portion of the slate remains the most grueling, headlined by a home clash against powerhouse Boston College April 11, which will serve as the Cavaliers’ Senior Day.
Perhaps the most anticipated date on the calendar is March 21 — the growing profile of women's lacrosse will be highlighted when Virginia hosts Syracuse under the lights of Scott Stadium. This matchup is not just a tactical challenge against a perennial contender — it is a celebration of 50 years of Cavalier lacrosse excellence, designed to bring together generations of alumni and the Charlottesville community.
If the 2025 season proved anything, it is that the Cavaliers can score with the best in the nation — but 2026 will be won in the margins, the ground balls, the defensive rotations and the mental toughness required to prevail in tough ACC games. If Virginia can master these pressure moments that have eluded them in recent postseasons, this roster has the talent and leadership to not only return to the Final Four for the first time in over a decade but to also solidify the Cavaliers’ place as a permanent resident of the sport's elite tier.
With a coaching staff that values process over results and a roster that is now gelled under a single vision, the 50th year of Virginia women's lacrosse promises to be more than just a celebration of its past — it looks to be a definitive statement about the program's future. The talent is undeniable, the culture is set, and the Cavaliers appear ready to reclaim their place at the summit of the lacrosse world as the season’s first whistle approaches.
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