GAMBIER, Ohio – Battle-tested and hungry for more, the Kenyon College women's lacrosse team opens the 2026 campaign with experience, leadership, and unfinished business. Following a fourth-place NCAC finish and postseason appearance last spring, the Owls return a dynamic group of all-conference talent ready to climb higher in a tightly contested conference race.
2025 Review
The Owls finished the 2025 campaign with a 7-9 overall record, earning the No. 4 seed in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament. Kenyon's postseason run came to a close in the semifinals with a 21-11 setback against Denison University, marking the end of the season.
Coaching Staff
Head coach Angelica Gero enters her third season at the helm. IIn her first two years, Gero has guided Kenyon to 12 All-NCAC selections, three IWLCA All-Region honors, and 14 IWLCA Academic Honor Roll recognitions. Looking to assist will be Annie Hutter who enters her second season beside Gero.
NCAC Preseason Poll
Kenyon earned a total of 41 points in the 2026 NCAC preseason coaches poll, tying for third with none other than newcomer John Carroll University.. Denison University captured first with 64 total points, followed by The College of Wooster with a whopping point differential of 21, sitting at 43 points in second. Similar to third place, the next two spots are held by Depauw University and Ohio Wesleyan University who ironically are tied for fifth with 37 total points. Oberlin College (17) and Wittenberg University (8) rounds out the table.
Returning All-Conference Honorees
Lily Mason, a 2025 First-Team All-NCAC selection, returns for her final season in purple and white. Mason appeared in all 16 games, making 15 starts, and totaled 30 goals, tied for the team lead, along with three assists for 33 points. She also ranked among the team leaders with 30 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers. Junior defender Emma Sage, a Second-Team All-NCAC honoree in 2025, anchored the Owls' defensive unit. She started 15 of 16 contests, tying for the team lead with 30 ground balls while also recording 18 caused turnovers. As a unit, Kenyon's defense ranks tied for third in the conference in caused turnovers (284). Senior Spencer Kirsch ended her junior season with her first All-NCAC selection, making the Third Team after a career-high season in the Owls' midfield. She set personal best marks for goals (30), tying her atop the team standings, and tied her career best for points (32). She also netted three woman-up goals, grabbed 24 ground balls, and caused nine turnovers. Rounding out Kenyon's all-conference crop from last season was Charlotte Skelly, an attack who started all 16 games and landed on the All-NCAC Third Team. She ranked fourth on the team in goals (24), fifth in assists (4) and fourth in points (28) while netting a team-high three game-winning goals.
Returning Statistical Leaders
Midfielder Ashley Auerbach impressed in her first collegiate season, finishing with 21 goals, one assist, 13 ground balls, and six caused turnovers. Her continued development will add depth and versatility to the Owls' midfield. On the defensive end, senior Cecily Torres returns as a key presence alongside Sage. Torres recorded 24 ground balls, third-most on the team, and 18 caused turnovers last season, solidifying herself as one of Kenyon's most reliable defenders.
Schedule Overview:
Season Opener: Saturday, February 21, vs. University of Mount Union (1:00 p.m.)
Home Opener: Saturday, February 28, vs. Baldwin Wallace University (1:00 p.m.)
NCAC Opener: Saturday, April 4, vs. Ohio Wesleyan University (1:00 p.m.)
How to Follow:
Fans can follow Kenyon women's lacrosse throughout the season via the following links:
Live coverage (stats and video) - https://athletics.kenyon.edu/live
Twitter and Instagram - @KenyonSports
YouTube - @KenyonAthletics
