Loyola women’s lacrosse is gearing up for an impressive and redemptive season this spring. The Greyhounds finished 2025 with a 13-7 regular season record and a Patriot League championship appearance against Navy that ended in a tough 13-14 overtime defeat.
The women’s lacrosse team has decades of success, including winning the Patriot League in every non-COVID year from 2019 to 2024. Although the team had another excellent season in 2025, they are seeking to once again win the Patriot League in 2026.
Attacker Ava Kane ‘26 says the team has had Patriot League victory on their minds.
“Obviously, it’s been in the back of our minds that we want to take that championship back. It’s made this team hungrier. This fall, we’ve had this relentless spirit and really special energy that has come to every single practice, lift, conditioning session, whatever it may be. I’m really excited to see what it can do and transfer over to this season,” Kane said.
Kane is a senior and is preparing for her second season at Loyola after transferring from Rutgers. Last season, Kane started nineteen out of twenty games, totaling 25 goals and 31 points. The attacker made a big impact early on in 2025, scoring two goals against the number one-ranked Boston College in the season opener and earning at least one point in the first twelve games.
Kane is ready to have another strong beginning to her last season, but her senior year feels different than years prior.
“My goal has been to leave the team the best I can and make sure I leave everything on the field every time I step off. I think that having that overarching goal will allow me to succeed and also help my teammates succeed,” Kane said.
Kane and her fellow senior teammates are especially doing what they can to help their younger teammates succeed. The team has been working on building chemistry this offseason, both on and off the field. Team building is especially significant this year, as the team welcomes 13 first-year players and one transfer student.
The women’s lacrosse team spends a lot of time together, even having a Friendsgiving. Midfielder Elisa Faklaris ‘26 highlights the community within the lacrosse program.
“The culture that Loyola women’s lacrosse has is honestly indescribable. It’s so amazing. I think you realize that when you’re surrounded by 35 of your best friends, all putting in the work every day, inside and out. You realize that you can really accomplish anything, and you can also have fun doing it,” Faklaris said.
Faklaris is the highest returning goalscorer among the players. She scored 51 goals in 2025 and started all 20 games, receiving an honorary spot on the second team All-Mid Atlantic Team. The senior says she is excited for the year ahead, and, although there may be some expectations, there is a chance to become even better.
“There might be pressure, but it’s the good kind of pressure, because we’re all trying to be there for each other and be the best versions of ourselves,” Faklaris said.
Someone that has helped the Greyhounds become the best versions of themselves is acclaimed Head Coach Jen Adams. As a player, Adams led the Maryland Terrapins to four straight national titles from 1998-2001, breaking every season and career scoring record for the school. Adams also excelled in the Women’s Lacrosse World Cup, captaining Australia in 2005 to a gold medal and earning All-World honors after leading all players with 26 assists and 47 total points.
Faklaris says the team greatly benefits from Adams’ expertise and leadership.
“She’s obviously a legend in lacrosse, but she’s also just a really good person, as well as the rest of the coaching staff. I’m probably biased, but I think we have the best coaching staff in the country … Playing under her has just been awesome. You want to work so hard because you know she’s working so hard for you. All the coaches would do anything for you,” Faklaris said.
Ramping up for the season ahead, the Greyhounds spent the fall working hard, practicing to become even better. Although they usually scrimmage against themselves, highlights of this fall included a scrimmage against the Japanese women’s national lacrosse team at Ridley Athletic Complex.
Attacker Emma Talago ‘26 knows her team has the fighting spirit needed to win.
“I would definitely describe this team as gritty. We have this competitive edge coming out of practice where we know we’re gonna go really hard against each other every day, and make each other better that way. This team isn’t afraid of hard work,” Talago said.
The women’s lacrosse team puts in a lot of hard work, a virtue highlighted by Talago. The senior started all twenty games for the team last year and had 21 assists, the second most on the team and the most out of any returning player. She did so after overcoming a back injury she suffered during her first semester at Loyola, forcing her to redshirt the 2023 season and reacclimate to lacrosse as a sophomore.
Now, years removed from the setback, Talago looks to build on her success.
“I’ve been trying to make progress every year after that, and keep building and getting better. It’s always been my goal since I committed here to be an impact player on the team … I think, hopefully, I’ve set myself up to be that impact player this year that I’ve always wanted to be,” Talago said.
Talago explains that, although the team was disappointed in not winning the Patriot League in 2025, they have focused on resetting and preparing for a better year.
“We can’t hold on to whatever happened last year. Our goal this year is to reach our potential,” Talago said.
The women’s lacrosse team will look to reach its potential as the season begins on Feb. 7 with a home matchup against the Florida Gators.