Cresson, Pa. - February 12, 2026 - On Thursday, the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) released it's Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

The Mount Aloysius women's lacrosse program enters the 2026 season with momentum and rising expectations, as the Mounties were picked to finish second in the AMCC Preseason Coaches Poll, trailing only defending champion La Roche.

Now in its seventh season, the program continues to trend upward under head coach Courtney Vought, who enters her second season at the helm. This spring also marks a significant milestone for the Mounties, as the 2026 roster features the program's first true recruiting class under Vought, adding depth and long-term stability to a team that is already proving it can compete at the top of the conference. The freshman class consists of seven freshman, the most the program has had. 

Mount Aloysius is coming off a 7-8 campaign in 2025 that included a trip to the AMCC Championship game for the second straight year. Despite falling in the conference final to La Roche, the Mounties matched the program record for wins in a season, tying the seven-win mark previously set during the 2024 season.

Much of the preseason attention centers on junior attacker Cassidy Cook (Glen Burnie, Md., North County), who was named the 2026 AMCC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year following a dominant 2025 sophomore campaign. Cook earned AMCC Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors last season, was a first-team all-conference selection, and capped the year with a spot on the AMCC All-Tournament Team.

Cook finished the season among the conference's elite statistical leaders, ranking fourth in the AMCC in goals (43) and assists (11), third in draw controls (56), and sixth in ground balls (43). Her ability to impact the game in multiple facets has made her one of the most dangerous offensive players in the AMCC. 

Joining Cook as a key player to watch is senior defender Shelby Smeal (Altoona, Pa., Altoona), who anchors the Mounties on the defensive end. A dual-sport athlete who competes in soccer during the fall, Smeal earned AMCC All-Tournament Team honors in 2025. She finished second in the conference in both ground balls (51) and caused turnovers (24), while also ranking fourth in draw controls (42), showcasing her ability to influence possession and tempo from the defensive end.

With a proven offensive leader, an experienced defensive presence, and a roster strengthened by its first true recruiting class, Mount Aloysius enters the 2026 season poised to build on last year's success. As the Mounties look to take the final step toward an AMCC championship, the foundation is in place for what could be another historic season for the program.

The Mounties kick off the 2026 season on February 21, when they travel to Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The Golden Tornadoes went 0-15 last season and are a member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC). 

Preseason Rankings:
1. La Roche
2. Mount Aloysius
3. Alfred State
4. Hilbert
5. Pitt-Bradford