UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. -- The Saginaw Valley State University women's lacrosse team was chosen to finish fifth in the 2026 GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll. 

Grand Valley State collected four first place votes to top the poll with 16 points. Northern Michigan collected the final first place vote to total 13 points and hold the second position. Concordia-St. Paul finished three points ahead of Davenport for third. The Panthers totaled seven points to fall three points ahead of Saginaw Valley State in the final spot. 

The Cardinals return four of their five top scorers from the inaugural season including the team leader, Gabby Parker, who finished the year with 22 points (21 goals). Lainey Lasky finished third in scoring with nine points (3 goals) and was the leader in assists with six. Annelle Dykema (8 points, 7 goals) and Aleena Edwards (3 points, 2 goals) rounded out the top-five scoring threats for the Cardinals that are returning from last year's squad. 

SVSU starts the 2026 season at home against Malone on February 14 at 1 p.m. (ET). The Cardinals then travel to face Lewis in Romeoville, Illinois on the 17th before returning home for two games finish out the month of February. The first is against Findlay on Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. (ET), before rival Northwood comes to Braddock Field on Feb. 24 for a 3 p.m. (ET) start.  

Saginaw Valley State then heads to California for two games against Dominican (Calif.) for Spring Break. GLIAC play then starts the following week with Davenport coming to University Center on March 13 at 1 p.m. (ET).