TAMPA, Fla., February 3, 2026 – The University of South Florida women's lacrosse team was voted to finish second in the 2026 American Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Monday. In addition, redshirt junior attacker
Sofia Chepenik was named Co-Preseason Attack Player of the Year, while Chepenik,
Kali Cleary, and
Kaitlyn Tartaglione earned spots on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
South Florida collected 29 points in the poll, finishing just behind preseason favorite James Madison and ahead of East Carolina, Vanderbilt, Temple, Charlotte and Old Dominion.
Chepenik was a unanimous selection to the preseason all-conference team and shared Preseason Attack Player of the Year honor after establishing herself as one of the conference's most dynamic offensive threats. The redshirt junior attacker returns as a key leader for the Bulls heading into the 2026 season.
Cleary, a sophomore midfielder, also earned preseason all-conference recognition after making an impact on both ends of the field last season. Tartaglione, a redshirt senior midfielder, was a unanimous selection after an impressive season that established her as one of the league's top midfielders
South Florida Lacrosse opens the 2026 season later this week as it looks to build on its momentum and compete for an American Conference title.
2026 American Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll
- James Madison (6) – 36
- South Florida – 29
- East Carolina (1) – 27
- Vanderbilt – 22
- Temple – 16
- Charlotte – 11
- Old Dominion – 6
(#) denotes first-place votes
2026 American Women's Lacrosse Preseason Awards
Co-Preseason Attack Player of the Year
Sofia Chepenik, South Florida
Preseason All-Conference Team
Sofia Chepenik, Jr., A, South Florida*
Kali Cleary, Jr., M, South Florida
Kaitlyn Tartaglione, So., M, South Florida*
* denotes unanimous selection
UP NEXT
South Florida opens the season at home in Tampa, Fla., hosting Niagara University on Friday, Feb. 7, at Corbett Stadium. First draw is set for noon ET on ESPN+ as the Bulls begin the 2026 season.
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About USF Women's Lacrosse
Entering its second season, the University of South Florida women's lacrosse program builds on a historic inaugural year that quickly established the Bulls as a contender in the American Athletic Conference. South Florida opened its first-ever season on Feb. 7, 2025, with a 19–6 win over Kennesaw State, setting the State of Florida regular-season attendance record as 2,386 fans filled Corbett Stadium. The Bulls went on to finish the 2025 season with a 13–5 record and earned a place in the American Conference Championship in their inaugural season, ultimately finishing as the league's runner-up. South Florida also drew more than 10,000 total fans to Corbett Stadium during the season. USF named Mindy McCord, an eight-time conference coach of the year, as the program's first head coach in May 2022. McCord arrived in Tampa with 240 career wins and a proven record of building successful programs after launching and leading Jacksonville University's women's lacrosse team for its first 13 seasons. During her tenure at JU, she guided the Dolphins to 21 regular-season and conference tournament titles, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, and back-to-back Sweet Sixteen berths while developing 13 All-Americans, 81 all-conference selections, and 13 conference Player of the Year honorees.
South Florida plays a fast-paced, high-scoring style influenced by the early 1990s Loyola Marymount men's basketball fast break. That approach ranked among the national leaders in shots, points per game, and scoring margin during McCord's tenure at Jacksonville and continues to shape the Bulls' offensive identity heading into year two.
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