PHILADELPHIA – The nationally ranked University of Pennsylvania women's lacrosse team starts the 2026 season on Saturday, Feb. 14, hosting Drexel for a noon matchup.
 
Drexel (2-0, 0-0 CAA0 vs. #11 Penn (0-0, 0-0 Ivy League)
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 12 p.m.
Philadelphia, Pa. | Franklin Field
Watch on ESPN+ | Live Stats | Program
 
The Penn vs. Drexel Series
*The Quakers hold a commanding 17-2 all-time lead in the series, winning the past five games.
 
*Penn won the Battle of 33rd Street 15-11 last year, led by a five-goal outing from Keeley Block and a hat trick from Catherine Berkery.
 
*Drexel has not won in the series since the 2013 campaign won the Dragons left Franklin Field with an 11-8 victory.
 
Quaker Notemeal
*The Red and Blue start the season ranked at #11 in the IWLCA poll, after ending the 2025 campaign with a 12-7 record, a 5-2 Ivy League record, and four ranked wins. The Quakers made it to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second straight season, falling to #2 Northwestern on the road.
 
*Penn was picked to finish second in the Ivy League in the 2026 preseason poll voted on by the media.
 
*Half of last year's starting lineup will return to the field this season with attacker Berkery, midfielder Lellie King, defenders Maggie Bankowski, Clare Ruff, and Natasha Yajadda, and goalkeeper Orly Sedransk returning to Franklin Field.
 
*Sophomore Sedransk is pegged to have a strong second year earning Third Team USA Lacrosse and Inside Lacrosse Third Team Preseason All-American as well as a spot on the Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
 
*Sedransk had a after a stellar freshman season in 2025, earning Ivy League Rookie and Goalkeeper of the Year, along with USA Lacrosse and Inside Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American and IWLCA Third Team All-American. She posted an 11-7 overall and a 5-2 Ivy League record this year, saving 180 of 519 shots faced, holding a 9.99 goals-against-average and a .490 save percentage. The keeper saved a career-high 14 shots three times in 2025 against #5 Princeton and Towson in the regular season and #21 Army in the NCAA first round.
 
*Freshmen Millie Bartlett, Maya Farnan, Quinny Handley, Emma Hrzich, Avery Le, Olivia Nicoll, Sydney Patten, Peyton Phillips, and Mary Sack will join the returning players for Penn for the 2026 season. The Class of 2029 is made up of five midfielders, two attackers, a defender, and one goalkeeper.
 
*Midfielder Sack is looking to make an instant impact for Penn, being named to the Inside Lacrosse Women Power 100 Freshman Ranking heading into the season.
 
*Junior Berkery, Patricia Columbia-Walsh, junior Ruff, and senior Yajadda were named team captains for the 2026 season.
 
*2025 program alum, Anna Brandt, was named to the 2026 U.S. Women's World Lacrosse Championship roster.
 
Scouting the Dragons
 *Drexel is on a two-game streak to open the 2026 season, topping UConn 12-11 in double-overtime last week and dominating Wagner 16-3 on Wednesday.
 
*Kate Quinn leads the Dragon's offense with eight goals through the pair of wins.
 
*The Quakers will likely face Lucy Dailey in the cage on Saturday. The keeper holds a 6.78 goals-against average, a .350 save percentage, and seven saves on the young season.