UNC Women’s Lacrosse 2025-2026

[airball]

Additions to next season’s UNC Women’s lacrosse team (active) roster:

Redshirts:
RS Freshman — A Tess Calabria
RS Sophomore — A Eva Ingrilli
RS Sophomore — M GraceAnn Leonard

All three are from Long Island, are very talented and have a very real opportunity for playing time next season.
(I added "(active)" in the lead-in sentence, above, to reflect that these three were on the roster last year but were not active other than Graceann Leonard's appearances in three games.)

Transfer (EDIT):
D Sophie Straka, (5th year, Yale)

Freshman class:
10 players; 2 players from 5 different states (CT, MA, NY, PA and MD); most of these played middie in high school, but many will probably play a different position at UNC.

CT:
Grace Winkler (A) (selected for senior AA game)
Gabby Lauretani (M) (selected for senior AA game)
(These two played high school and club together and are long-time friends)

MA:
Emma Connerty (M) (selected for senior AA game, but won’t play due to injury)
Brigid Carovillano (G)

NY:
Reese King (A/M) (MVP of the senior AA game)
Charlotte Rathjen (A/M)
Both were 1st team all-Long Island and had excellent seasons; Charlotte Rathjen (59g/17a) led her HS team (Southside) to a Nassau County championship); Reese King (60g/30a) set a school (Westhampton) record for points

PA
Mairyn Dwyer (M) (selected for senior AA game)
Audrey Hurleman (D/M)

MD
Sophia Stoltz (A/M) (selected for senior AA game; Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year)
Payton Magday (M/D)

The incoming freshman class has two prominent characteristics: (1) The three Carolina players that Inside Lacrosse ranks the highest in its preliminary ranking (post-junior year) are all left-handed (Winkler, Stoltz, Dwyer), (2) the class has three very tall players - Stoltz and King are 5’11”; Rathjen is 6’0”+.

UNC has six players selected to play in the New Balance senior AA game, the most of any school. IMO, there could have been others.

 

[UltimateHeel]

Glad to see you airball, thanks for post!

 

[airball]

UNC‘s 8-player class of 2026

The 8-player class of 2026 committed September 2024. They will sign their letters of Intent in November, 2025. Inside Lacrosse has designated 30 players in the class as 5-star talents; only 10 of the 5-stars have been numerically ranked. An additional 40 players were named 4-stars.

Five of the eight UNC players were designated as 5-stars; two are ranked as top-10 players. Presumably IL will provide a more expansive ranking later this month. I really like this class; one of the reasons is that I think the three 4-star players are very strong.

 

[Joeheel]

Additions to next season’s UNC Women’s lacrosse team roster:

Redshirts:
RS Freshman — A Tess Calabria
RS Sophomore — A Eva Ingrilli
RS Sophomore — M GraceAnn Leonard

All three are from Long Island, very talented and have a very real opportunity for playing time next season.

Transfers:
I am unaware of any transfers to date, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that there won’t be any. However, the talent in the transfer portal pool is not particularly deep this season; the best remaining player is A Olivia Adamson (Syracuse), but I doubt that she’ll commit to UNC (but it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been wrong). With the returning players and the additions, there really isn’t a need for transfers.

Freshman class:
10 players; 2 players from 5 different states (CT, MA, NY, PA and MD); most of these played middie in high school, but many will probably play a different position at UNC.

CT:
Grace Winkler (A) (selected for senior AA game)
Gabby Lauretani (M) (selected for senior AA game)
(These two played high school and club together and are long-time friends)

MA:
Emma Connerty (M) (selected for senior AA game, but won’t play due to injury)
Brigid Carovillano (G)

NY:
Reese King (A/M) (MVP of the senior AA game)
Charlotte Rathjen (A/M)
Both were 1st team all-Long Island and had excellent seasons; Charlotte Rathjen (59g/17a) led her HS team (Southside) to a Nassau County championship); Reese King (60g/30a) set a school (Westhampton) record for points

PA
Mairyn Dwyer (M) (selected for senior AA game)
Audrey Hurleman (D/M)

MD
Sophia Stoltz (A/M) (selected for senior AA game; Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year)
Payton Magday (M/D)

The incoming freshman class has two prominent characteristics: (1) The three players that Inside Lacrosse ranks the highest in its preliminary ranking (post-junior year) are all left-handed (Winkler, Stoltz, Dwyer), (2) the class has three very tall players - Stoltz and King are 5’11”; Rathjen is 6’0”+.

UNC has six players selected to play in the New Balance senior AA game, the most of any school. IMO, there could have been others.

Thanks for all the information Airball! We do not want Adamson.

 

[airball]

Just noticed that three 2026 UNC commits were selected to the 14-member All-Tournament team of the Highlight Division of the New Balance Underclass tourney: A Emma McCarthy (New Jersey), G Bailey Redford (Washington, DC) and A CeCe Powell (Upstate).

Congratulations to these players.

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for the updates and information.

 

[HONKYTONKTARASSOCIATION]

Yay!

 

[airball]

Class of 2027 recruits

On to the class of 2027, which will be actively recruited by schools beginning September 1. The vast majority of the top players will commit in September.

Here is an article about an event that took place about three weeks ago, the Best In Class showcase for players in the class of 2027. This is a relatively small event (190 attendees) that is by invitation only.

The following article is an excellent article about the class of 2027 players. Of the 190 invitees, there is information provided about 83 of the players. There are some prominent recruit names missing — it’s not clear whether these players didn’t attend or just didn’t have a good two days. In the past there have been prominent UNC commits who either didn’t attend or didn’t excel at this event.

It’s interesting that retired UNC coach Phil Barnes attended as a talent evaluator. Undoubtedly UNC had a conspicuous presence at the event.

Best In Class Standouts: Women's 2027

Showcasing the standout players from the Women's 2027, highlighting their unique skills and potential fits for college recruitment.

www.1stclasslax.com

I have never been very successful at identifying which players will be attracted to Carolina. Of the 26 players who are identified as 2027 5-stars by the Best in Class staff, I can identify (off the top of my head) 15 who attend the same schools or play for the same clubs as current UNC players — bridges of familiarity are certainly present.

Among the reasons that make it difficult to identify UNC recruits is criteria applied by the coaching staff in recruiting that is not measured at this or other similar events. Coach Levy has identified three factors that heavily impact her staff’s recruiting. UNC looks for players who (1) love lacrosse, (2) really enjoy being a member of a team, and (3) have a sense of humor. Furthermore, the UNC staff undoubtedly looks to attract players whose strengths match the Tar Heel playing style.

EDIT: Factors that might impact recruits’ decisions — (1) dreams of winning national championships, and (2) immediate playing time. As for national championships, Carolina is situated as well or better than any other school in the country to win championships in the next few years.

As for playing time, the class of 2027 will play its first season in 2028, which will be the senior year for last season’s deep and talented freshman class. In most cases, incoming class of 2027 members will have to wait until their sophomore season to capture starting positions. But you have to believe that the senior year of Chloe Humphrey, Eliza Osburn, Kate Levy, Addison Pattillo, etc. will be an excellent national championship opportunity -- assuming this appeals to an incoming player.

 

[Jriv23]

Good write up airball. Thanks for doing this for us. Also, I do think that when this top freshman come to an elite program like UNC, NW, BC, Florida, and any other ACC school, they realize that they are going to have to wait at least a year before they will be starting or playing, especially if they come to one of the schools mentioned above. I think it would be cool to come to a top-level program and learn from some of the best players that are in college or that are on your team. This is a rite of passage. Of course, you will have a one or two players that are an exception to this rule, like a Chloe Humphrey, who can come in and play and start right away as a freshman.

 

[Jriv23]

I had forgotten about the 3 players that got hurt last year. We did not need to bring in transfers in. Someone had posted that losing MW was going to hurt some. I do not think so because having EI, TC, and MG back is going to make up for MW. I think we all forgot the season that EI was having last year before she got her. We have not seen TC play yet, but from looking at what she did in high school back in 2024 says a lot. Having Grace-Leonard back is tremendous. I forgot about all the contributions she has made for this team the last couple of years.

 

[Kleizaster]

2027 recruiting class has the potential to be..interesting.

 

[airball]

Below is the list of players who will be sophomores next season, and will graduate after the 2028 season. Four players from the class that arrived in CH in the fall of 2023 have redshirted and will be sophomores along with the class of 2024. Bolded below are the four redshirts in next season’s sophomore class.

Attack
Chloe Humphrey (RS)
Eva Ingrilli (RS)
Addie Pattillo

Midfield
Haley Carver
Charlotte Corkins
GraceAnn Leonard (RS)
Kate Levy
Eliza Osburn

Goalie
Betty Nelson (RS)
Lexi Zenk

 

[airball]

Here is Inside Lacrosse’s review of who stood out in the New Balance Senior All-American played on July 26. Fifteen players are mentioned, including four who will wear Carolina blue starting in the fall: Reese King (game MVP), Grace Winkler, Gabby Larentani and Sophia Stoltz.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/king-patterson-flanagan-lead-standouts-at-new-balance-all-america-senior-game/65715

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for the information airball.

 

[oldeastjl]

Rebuilding year after all we lost, but still could be contenders for another final four

 

[airball]

I think we can be reasonably confident that the Heels will be the unanimous preseason number 1. We lost a couple of important players, but we have quite a few options to fill the holes. Our biggest competition suffered more losses than we did. USA Lacrosse Magazine’s “Way-Early Top-25” offered this conclusion:

“The Preseason Top 25, which will release closer to the season, will certainly have some changes as fall ball happenings are taken into account. But what will stay the same is the team leading things off. North Carolina, the 2025 NCAA champion, seems poised to have a stranglehold on No. 1 until further notice.”

 

[Nate1972]

10 of the 15 mentioned in Inside Lacrosse’s review are headed to ACC schools. None to BC or NW.

 

[airball]

USA Lacrosse Magazine has had daily releases on its “Way Early” top 25. Here are numbers 5-1:

5. Princeton, 4. Florida, 3. Boston College, 2. Northwestern, 1. UNC

https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazine/college/women/way-early-2026-division-i-womens-rankings-5-1

Here’s the writeup on the Heels:

1. NORTH CAROLINA

2025 Record: 22-0 (9-0 ACC)

Last seen: Cashing one last receipt and beating Northwestern 12-8 for a national championship.

Notable departures: Claudia Kelly, D; Ashley Humphrey, A; Nicole Humphrey, A/M; Sophie Student, M; Olivia Vergano, A; Marissa White, A (Boston College)

Notable additions: Emma Connerty, M; Mairyn Dwyer, M; Reese King, A; Gabby Laurenti, M; Payton Magday, M; Charlotte Rathjorn, M; Sophie Stotz, M; Grace Winkler, A

Initial forecast: Was last year’s championship run a one-year-only revenge tour or the dawning of a new dynasty in women’s lacrosse (or something in between)? We’ll get a glimpse of that by 2026, but barring a barrage of injuries, more titles are likely in the cards for this UNC group. (And yes, UNC knows that injuries are possible after 2024.)

Even with the graduation of playmaker Ashley Humphrey (31G, 90A) and Marissa White’s (49G) departure to Boston College, the Tar Heels have an uncanny amount of talent on its way back to Chapel Hill, headlined by Tewaaraton winner Chloe Humphrey. The first freshman to take college lacrosse’s highest individual honor poured in 90 goals to go along with 28 assists and has quickly become a phenom. She’ll no longer have Ashley or her eldest sister, Nicole, to celebrate with, but there’s plenty of essentially untapped talent returning on UNC’s offense. We’ve likely only scratched the surface of what rising sophomores Eliza Osborn (35G, 9A, 56DC) and Addison Pattillo (31G) can do. Rising seniors Caroline Godine (22G, 20A) and Kiley Mottice (31G) also provide consistency. And Katy Levy has do-it-all potential.

Turning to the defense, Brooklyn Walker-Welch (28GB, 18CT) and Sam Forrest (23GB, 18CT) are back, as is All-American goalie Betty Nelson (.496SV%, 7.37GAA).

Saying the champs are set up for a 2026 repeat is an understatement.

 

[airball]

The class of 2027 will be in contact with schools recruiting them beginning September 1. One intriguing attacker in the class is Giana (Gia) Bigelow. She plays for Valor Christian in the Denver area; Valor is the 2025 Colorado state champion.

In her freshman season of 2024 season, Gia would have been a teammate of UNC player Eliza Osburn. Eliza was a member of the 2025 National Champion Tar Heels, was the ACC freshman of the year and was recognized as a 3rd team All-American by the IWLCA. The coach of Valor’s state champion girls’ lacrosse team is Sam Geiersbach, who was Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four when the Tar Heels won the 2022 National Championship. The 2025 season was Sam’s first as coach at Valor.

In June, Gia led her Team 180 club team to the finals of the IL Women Summer Cup (the final game was called due to weather). Then in July, at the invite only Best-in-Class showcase, she was graded as one of four 5-star quarterbacks. The BIC write-up stated:

“Giana was a leader on her team. Very fast and shifty. She made plays, set up her teammates well, and showed she was able to draw two and pass it off. Created numerous scoring chances for her teammates. She showed a ton of hustle plays that stuck out and is good off the draw. She scored in many different ways. Plays with her head up and had many different moves she could go to. Giana made her presence felt every game at BIC.”

The reason I find her intriguing are her pronounced links to UNC and a playing style that fits the UNC attack; among other strengths, she was one of the fastest and most athletic players at BIC. UNC’s 2026 class doesn’t really have a quarterback, so having one in the 2027 class makes sense.

Go Heels!

 

[UltimateHeel]

I hope Giana can see herself playing at UNC and loves it!

 

[3397char]

Chloe merch!

 

[Jriv23]

I bought me a Chloe Humphrey Shirt last month. I have been rocking it, and I have received numerous compliments on how good it looks with my jeans and jean shorts.

 

[Jriv23]

Let us support Chloe and show her how much we appreciate her for being a tarheel, a generational talent, and for her and company making us a power to reckon with moving forward. Go Heels!

 

[airball]

Here is an article about the World Games which begin tomorrow in China; USA sends a 12-player team to participate in lacrosse 6 vs. 6 pre-Olympic competition. Four Tar Heels are on the roster: Chloe Humphrey, Aly Mastroianni, Marie McCool and Taylor Moreno.

Here is an Inside Lacrosse article about the tournament.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-world-games-2025-revenge-growth-and-a-sixes-spotlight-on-the-march-to-the-olympics/65728

Of note is this:

Where to Follow and Watch​

• All live stats will be The World Games website.
• All matches will be streamed for free on World Lacrosse TV and also through The World Games’ streaming platform.

Here is a USA Lacrosse Magazine providing thumbnail sketches of each US player:

Meet the 12: Introducing the 2025 U.S. Women's Sixes National Team

We asked Lindsey Munday about the makeup of the roster and why these 12 give the U.S. the best shot at gold.

www.usalacrosse.com

 

[airball]

Chloe Humphrey‘s winning the Tewaaraton as a freshman is a remarkable achievement, but I find it equally remarkable that as a rising sophomore she is a mainstay on USA national teams.

Here is the thumbnail on CH from the USA Lacrosse Magazine article:

CHLOE HUMPHREY​

Humphrey joins the U.S. Women’s Sixes roster fresh off leading North Carolina to the NCAA Women’s Championship — a feat that helped her win the Tewaaraton Award as a redshirt freshman.
Humphrey has played just one year of college lacrosse, but her 90 goals and 28 assists suggest she fits in just fine with the star power on this roster.
“I've seen her since she was in high school and you knew how great she was going to be,” Munday said. “She’s someone who wants to get better, even playing on the defensive end and developing her game that way. She has fit in seamlessly.”

 

[unc80]

Chloe is the Michael Jordan of women's lax. She's a fiery competitor that is about as good defensively as she is on offense. And she just has an aura...

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for sharing about the football rankings. I kind of like it right now. There are too many unknowns right now. I think Bill and staff like it this way. If you listen to the players on this year team talk about the incoming season, they are given us clues about Bill and his staff. When players are stating that they are in the best shape ever in their college careers. that means something to me. When the defensive calls are saying that SB and his brother know what they are doing on the defensive side of the ball and that their communication is way better than it has ever been, again, that means something. We will have to just wait and see when the season starts. I feel good where this program is heading to be honest. To have 35 players to commit for the 2026 class already and when in just in August than that means something. UNC football is in the top 18 as far as recruiting is concern. That means something.

 

[Jriv23]

I agree with you 100% unc80 about CH. She is the Michael Jordan of Lacrosse right now. She's must see tv. She and her sister AH were very instrumental in me becoming a huge UNC Lacrosse fan. I watched every single game this past year. The whole team was just outstanding. I loved and enjoyed watching every game last year.

 

[airball]

USA 20 Ireland 6 at the half In the World Games..

USA is in pool B with Australia, Czechia and Ireland

Final 32-11

 

[Joeheel]

This is the longest fast break drill I've ever seen!
Practices must consist of 40 minutes of end line to end line sprints and then shoot on cage.

 

[Nate1972]

USA tops Ireland 32-11 in the first game of pool play. One sequence in the 2d half: Moreno came out of goal to intercept a pass, sent the ball to McCool, who passed to Chloe who scored behind her back.

 

[airball]

Here’s an excellent USA Lacrosse Magazine article about UNC great, Marie McCool, who is a captain of the USA sixes team playing in the World Games in China:

From Chinatown to Chengdu, Marie McCool's Lacrosse Odyssey Comes Full Circle

When the United States opens The World Games 2025 lacrosse competition Thursday in China, Marie McCool will get to play the game she loves in her family's ancestral homeland.

www.usalacrosse.com

 

[airball]

UNC New Balance Underclass Standouts

Along with the Senior All-American game, the New Balance all-star weekend included “underclass” games for players in the three subsequent classes (rising seniors, juniors and sophmores). Of these, only the class of 2026 player have made commitments (2027s will begin making commitments in September).

Inside Lacrosse ran an article about standouts in the underclass games. As for the 2026s, there is good news and bad news. Good news: UNC had three players rated among the top eight and their write-ups were glowing. Bad news: they won’t arrive in Chapel Hill for another year.

Cece Powell, A, Marcellus (N.Y.), Aces Elite | North Carolina
Evaluation Score: 93
The three-sport athlete from Upstate, N.Y., is must-watch TV. Powell makes things happen on offense. She’s extremely quick with her stick and her dodges. The North Carolina commit has a high I.Q. level and reads the game exceptionally well. Her jump shot and her body control as she weaves through the whole defense are fun to watch. Off-ball, she was dangerous with her backdoor cuts. Powell even got after it on defense as she locked down her matchup and stripped her.
[As for her body control, I have seen some footage; CeCe Powell is a regular Gumby.]

Sophia Buffardi, M, Sayville (N.Y.), Yellow Jackets | North Carolina
Evaluation Score: 92
Buffardi is a next-level player. She takes the draw and gets downhill fast after she wins it. She has a lethal shot that she can unleash. Buffardi draws a lot of attention because of how talented she is. With slides coming at her, she will find the open player and get the assist. Her IQ is high, and she will fit in at UNC perfectly.
[Sophia Buffardi draws frequent comparisons to UNC great, Aly Mastroianni.]

Alivian Parmer, M, Manheim Township (Pa.), Xtreme | North Carolina
Evaluation Score: 90
Parmer flies around on defense, wreaking havoc. A solid two-way midfielder who embraces her role on defense. When Parmer gets the ball, she can rip it. In one game, with defenders on her, she cranked an underhand shot that hit the top shelf.

[EDIT: As for UNC’s 2026 class — in addition to the grades received by Powell, Buffardi and Parmer, two other Tar Heels joined Powell on the Highlight Division all-tournament team — Attacker Emma McCarthy and Goalie Bailey Redford.]

(Apparently, different people do the grading than those who select the all-tournament team)

Here is the entire article:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/clemson-commit-waters-unc-trio-and-virginia-quartet-stand-out-at-new-balance-underclass-games/65729

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for the information. Go Heels!

 

[airball]

2025 World Games - USA Women’s Lacrosse Sixes Team game 2

The USA women’s sixes team defeated Australia 25-13 to improve their record to 2-0 in pool play. Here’s an article from USA Lacrosse Magazine :

Offense Stays Hot as USA Beats Rival Australia at The World Games

The U.S. had assists on 21 of its 25 goals in a victory over longtime rival Australia

www.usalacrosse.com

The USA will play its final pool game vs Czechia tomorrow at 9:00 pm ET.

 

[Nate1972]

2025 World Games - USA Women’s Lacrosse Sixes Team game 2

The USA women’s sixes team defeated Australia 25-13 to improve their record to 2-0 in pool play. Here’s an article from USA Lacrosse Magazine :

Offense Stays Hot as USA Beats Rival Australia at The World Games

The U.S. had assists on 21 of its 25 goals in a victory over longtime rival Australia

www.usalacrosse.com

The USA will play its final pool game vs Czechia tomorrow at 9:00 pm ET.

Ireland's team did not wear eye protection in the US game. That seems very dangerous.

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for sharing. CH is doing her thing against the best in the world. That is insane.

 

[3397char]

Ireland's team did not wear eye protection in the US game. That seems very dangerous.

The closest equivalent sport in Ireland is hurling (camogie for women.) It is totally nuts. Think full contact Lacrosse, mixed with rugby, but with a boat paddle instead of a crosse. And no pads. My guess is that their approach to lacrosse comes from this insanity.

 

[aldusty]

Anyone have information on how to watch tonights match against Czechia at 9:00 PM?

 

[airball]

Anyone have information on how to watch tonights match against Czechia at 9:00 PM?

Where to Follow and Watch​

• All live stats will be The World Games website.
• All matches will be streamed for free on World Lacrosse TV and also through The World Games’ streaming platform.