The winningest season in program history included multiple first-time achievements for the Marymount University Saints women’s lacrosse team.
The Division III squad’s overall record of 17-3 was its best (most wins and fewest losses in a season). Being the top seed in a conference tournament also was a first, as well as winning the title. The Saints’ 12-game winning streak was their longest ever, and Marymount scored its most goals in a season.
In addition, Marymount earned a berth to play in the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time, resulting in a season-ending first-round loss to Plymouth State University, 20-16, in York, Pa.
Marymount was 7-0 against Atlantic East Conference rivals this season. The Saints were 5-0 in regular-season conference play, then 2-0 in the tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Saints finished second in last season’s conference tourney.
Marymount was dominant in the 2025 conference tourney. The Saints defeated Gwynedd Mercy University in the semifinals, 25-7, then Neumann University in the championship match, 22-12. Both matches were played on the team’s home field at Long Bridge Park in Arlington.
The Saints were led by five first-team all-conference players: junior attack Tess Valentine (the team’s leading goals scorer), graduate student and midfielder Bailey Gehler, senior defender Abby Dunn, junior defender Peyton Samson and senior goalie Hannah Smith.
Dunn was chosen as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. She was a team and league leader in draw controls, ground balls and caused turnovers.
Chosen second-team all-conference were senior attack Taylor Chepren, grad student attack Riley Love (team assist leader) and senior midfielder Ella Baker.
Also for Marymount, junior Olivia Durso earned the conference’s Elite 20 Award, going to the student with the highest grade-point average. Other top players and scorers for Marymount were senior Arayla Garcia, juniors Natalia Ortiz, Jillian Blair, Kaylee Heath and Brooke Bretney and freshman Camella Garcia.
Marymount head coach Kate Athing and her assistants were chosen as the conference’s Coaching Staff of the Year.
In the loss to Plymouth State, Marymount trailed 6-3 at the end of the first quarter, pulling to 7-6 but getting no closer.
Marymount’s other two losses were regular-season setbacks to Skidmore College, 13-12, and to Randolph-Macon College, 19-7.
