Buckeye Women’s Lacrosse Opens 2026 Season at Home vs. NDCL

Buckeye Women’s Lacrosse will open its 2026 varsity season on Monday, March 16, hosting Notre-Dame Cathedral Latin in Medina in a matchup that will immediately test a veteran core. The game marks the first official contest of the year for both programs and offers Buckeye an early measuring stick against a traditionally strong opponent.

The opener also carries added intrigue given how last year’s meeting unfolded. Notre-Dame Cathedral Latin recorded a 7-0 victory in a weather-shortened game, with strong winds, cold temperatures and deteriorating conditions leading to an early finish. While that result sits in the books, the Buckeye players and staff are viewing this year’s matchup as a cleaner opportunity to see how the team stacks up over a full game in more stable conditions.

Buckeye will lean heavily on its leadership group and experience all over the field. Senior midfielder and captain Morgan Penny, wearing No. 7, is expected to be central to the attack, with the versatility to contribute as a scorer, distributor and on the draw. Fellow captain and midfielder Natalie Clark, No. 23, gives the team a two-way presence who can help initiate offense, defend in space and settle possessions when the pace picks up.

Around them, Buckeye features a balanced roster with options at every level. Attackers such as Lillian Ames (No. 19), Hailey Baisden (No. 33), and Andreea Ghise (No. 22) provide multiple scoring threats, while defenders like Ella Conway (No. 11) and the goalie/defense group of Jocelyn Droes, Leah Droes (No. 57) and Zoey Jarvis (No. 25) are expected to anchor the back line. Midfielders including captain Molly Danilovic (No. 20) and multi-position standout Penny will be key to transition play and ground-ball battles.

With a challenging early schedule that includes home dates with Kenston and Louisville and road trips to Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Riverside and Wadsworth, Buckeye is looking to set the tone quickly. A strong showing against Notre-Dame Cathedral Latin in the season opener would not only provide a confidence boost after last year’s weather-affected loss, but also establish the defensive intensity and offensive identity the team aims to carry through the 2026 campaign.