TAMPA, Fla., February 6, 2025 – The University of South Florida women's lacrosse team is set to open its 2026 season at home on Saturday, welcoming the Niagara Purple Eagles to Corbett Stadium for a noon matchup. The contest marks USF's season opener, Niagara's first game of the year, and the Bulls' Family Fun Day, creating a full slate of excitement to start the season.
 
Setting the Stage:
South Florida enters the season with high expectations after being ranked No. 2 in the American Conference preseason poll. The Bulls return a strong core and look to make an early statement in front of the home crowd as they open the year two at Corbett Stadium.
 
The Opponent:
Niagara opens its 2026 season on Saturday, beginning a stretch of four consecutive road games to start the season. 
 
Note-A-Bulls:

• Conference Recognition– Attacker Sofia Chepenik was named the American Conference Preseason Attack Player of the Year, highlighting USF's offensive power entering the season.
• All-Conference Honors – Chepenik, Kali Cleary, and Kaitlyn Tartaglione earned spots on the American Conference Preseason All-Conference Team, reinforcing the Bulls' depth and experience across the field.
• Season Opener at Home – Saturday marks the Bulls' first game of the season and the first opportunity for fans to see team two in action.
• Family Fun Day – Fans of all ages are invited to enjoy a game-day atmosphere built for families, with activities and entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Series History:
The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs, adding a new chapter to USF's non-conference history.
 
TICKETS
Fans can purchase women's lacrosse tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
 
Follow USF Women's Lacrosse
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Women's Lacrosse news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
 
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 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.
 
– #GoBulls –