Women's Lacrosse Starts 2026 in North Carolina on Thursday

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – After rescheduling their original season opener, the University of Bridgeport's women's lacrosse team will officially open its 2026 campaign this week with a pair of spring break road games. The Purple Knights will travel to face Barton College (NC) on Thursday before wrapping up the trip with a matchup at Ferrum (VA) on Saturday.

WHAT'S NEXT?
After returning from spring break, the Purple Knights will host STAC in their home opener on March 11. Conference play begins March 24 with a trip to Georgian Court, kicking off a nine-game CACC schedule.

UB's home league matchups are set against Dominican (April 1), Post (April 7), Caldwell (April 15) and Jefferson (April 18). The Purple Knights will also fit in a non-conference home contest against AIC on April 3.

UB and Saint Michael's are also working towards rescheduling their game that was originally set for Feb. 28 at Knights Field.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?
The Purple Knights open the new campaign aiming to build on last season's sixth-place finish in the CACC, when they posted a 4-5 mark in conference play and went 7-10 overall.

UB earned league victories over Felician, Chestnut Hill, Post and Caldwell, while also securing non-conference wins against Southern Wesleyan, AIC and STAC.

Offensively, Bridgeport ranked fourth in the CACC in goals per game (12.41) and stood second in the conference in caused turnovers per contest (10.88).

Each of the past two seasons has concluded in the CACC quarterfinals, with the Purple Knights falling on the road at Wilmington both times.

WHO IS BACK?
Experience will help anchor the Purple Knights in 2026, as Bridgeport returns 11 players from last season's roster, highlighted by a seven-member senior class.

Leading the group is a trio of 2025 CACC All-Conference selections in Tara Dimaio, Emily Stuart and Kaley Maxwell.

Dimaio paced UB in goals (52), ground balls (54) and caused turnovers (42), with her caused-turnover total ranking second in the CACC.

Maxwell also played a pivotal defensive role, finishing second on the team in both caused turnovers (33) and ground balls (35).

Stuart delivered a strong all-around campaign, placing second on the squad with 60 draw controls while adding 27 points (18 goals, nine assists) and 24 ground balls.

Another senior, Elizabeth Pitts, is back as well for UB after starting 16 games and leading the team with 27 assists last spring. She also added 15 goals, 24 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers.

WHO IS NEW?
The Purple Knights added five newcomers to the roster this fall, welcoming four freshmen and one junior transfer to the program.

First-year players Payton Noack, Juliana Reyes, Dani Strong and Katlyn Strong join Bridgeport as rookies, while Reagan Koom arrives after competing for two seasons at Emory & Henry University (Va.).

WHO LEADS THE WAY?
At the helm for a fourth consecutive season is head coach Jessica Ormrod. In her second year leading the program in 2024, Ormrod guided the Purple Knights to 10 victories—the team's highest single-season win total since 2015.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING? (Quotes)

Jessica Ormrod – Head Coach, 4^th Season
"We are so excited to get the 2026 season on its way! We are happiest when we are together, and that joy fuels everything we do. We love the highs, we embrace the grind and we celebrate being part of something that is more than we know. The excitement around our new players and the growth of our returners has been incredible to watch. This new energy, personality and hunger is something we are excited to watch play out in the upcoming months."

Kaley Maxwell – Junior Defender
"We have a lot of experience in our returning players, but also many new faces who have already brought so much to our team. I'm really excited to see how far we can go this season and we're ready to work!"

Emily Stuart – Senior Midfielder
"This team has so much potential. We have a large senior class that is ready to lead with experience. I can't wait to see our hard work pay off on the field. #ladyknights"

HOW TO FOLLOW
For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, visit www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), X (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).