Loyola Women’s Lacrosse 2026 Season Recap: Greyhounds Return to Patriot League Contention

The 2026 season was a successful step forward for the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds women’s lacrosse program. Loyola finished 12-8 overall and 7-2 in Patriot League play, earning the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament and re-establishing itself as one of the conference’s top programs. The Greyhounds spent part of the season ranked nationally and produced several signature victories against ranked opponents while showcasing one of the nation’s best draw-control units.

Although the season ended short of a conference championship, Loyola demonstrated that it remains a major factor in the Patriot League and has a strong foundation moving forward.

Season Overview

Record: 12-8

Patriot League Record: 7-2

Patriot League Finish: 3rd Place

Patriot League Tournament: Semifinalist

National Ranking: Ranked as high as No. 15 during the season

The Greyhounds faced one of the toughest schedules in the country, taking on nationally ranked opponents from the ACC, Ivy League, Big Ten, and Patriot League.

Early losses to Johns Hopkins, Florida, and Syracuse tested the team, but Loyola never allowed those setbacks to derail the season. Instead, the Greyhounds used those games as building blocks and steadily improved throughout conference play.

Challenging Non-Conference Schedule

Loyola opened the season against elite competition.

The Greyhounds fell to Johns Hopkins 14-8 in their season opener before earning a convincing 21-11 Patriot League victory over Lehigh. Loyola then battled Florida and Princeton in consecutive contests, splitting those games and proving it could compete with nationally ranked opponents.

A road win over Penn highlighted the team’s ability to win difficult games away from Baltimore. The Greyhounds followed that victory with another tough challenge at Syracuse. Although the result did not go their way, the experience helped prepare Loyola for the demanding Patriot League schedule ahead.

Dominating Patriot League Play

Conference play became the turning point of the season.

Loyola posted a 7-2 Patriot League record and spent much of the spring battling Army and Navy for the top positions in the standings. The Greyhounds’ consistency allowed them to secure a top-three seed entering postseason play.

The signature victory of the season came against Navy.

At the time, Navy was ranked fourth nationally and appeared poised to control the Patriot League race. Loyola had other plans. The Greyhounds stunned the Midshipmen 19-14 in one of the biggest wins of the season. The victory propelled Loyola into the national rankings and demonstrated that the Greyhounds could compete with anyone in the conference.

The win over Navy became a defining moment and gave Loyola confidence entering the final month of the regular season.

Offensive Firepower

Loyola finished the season with 251 goals and 142 assists while averaging more than 12 goals per game. The offense consistently generated quality opportunities and featured scoring depth throughout the lineup.

Several players emerged as key offensive contributors.

Morgan Quade led the attack with a team-leading point total and consistently created scoring opportunities for teammates. Elisa Faklaris supplied a significant portion of Loyola’s goal production and developed into one of the most dangerous finishers in the Patriot League. Mim Suares-Jury added scoring, playmaking, and draw-control production that made her one of the most versatile players on the roster.

The balanced attack prevented opponents from focusing on a single scorer and allowed Loyola to maintain offensive efficiency throughout the season.

The Draw-Control Machine

No aspect of Loyola’s game was more impressive than its dominance in the draw circle.

Freshman Mae Murphy emerged as one of the nation’s best draw specialists. Murphy shattered both Loyola and NCAA freshman draw-control records while helping the Greyhounds rank among the national leaders in draw possession. Her ability to secure extra possessions frequently swung momentum in Loyola’s favor.

Murphy’s emergence gave Loyola a unique advantage every game. Possession is critical in women’s lacrosse, and the Greyhounds consistently controlled that battle.

Her breakout campaign should make her one of the cornerstones of the program moving forward.

Team Statistics

Loyola’s numbers reflected a balanced and productive season.

Team Goals: 251

Team Assists: 142

Shots: 556

Shot Percentage: .451

Shots on Goal Percentage: .741

Free-Position Goals: 57

Ground Balls: Strong throughout conference play

Draw Controls: Among national leaders

The offense converted opportunities at a high rate while the midfield consistently created transition chances.

Patriot League Tournament Run

Loyola entered the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 3 seed.

The Greyhounds opened tournament play with an impressive 13-7 victory over Boston University in the quarterfinal round. Loyola controlled the game from the opening draw and advanced comfortably into the semifinals.

The season came to an end in the semifinals against Army.

The Black Knights delivered a strong performance and prevented Loyola from reaching the Patriot League Championship Game. Although the loss was disappointing, it did not erase what had been an excellent season for the Greyhounds.

Biggest Wins of 2026

Several victories stood out:

• 21-11 win over Lehigh
• 14-10 victory over Princeton
• Road win at Penn
• 19-14 upset of No. 4 Navy
• 13-7 Patriot League Tournament victory over Boston University

Each victory highlighted a different strength of the roster and demonstrated the team’s growth throughout the season.

Areas for Improvement

Despite the successful season, several areas remain for growth.

Defensively, Loyola allowed 215 goals. The Greyhounds occasionally struggled against elite offenses and faced consistency issues in goal. Improving defensive communication and increasing save percentages will likely be major offseason priorities.

The offense occasionally disappeared against top-ranked opponents, particularly during stretches against ACC competition. Additional scoring depth could help solve that issue next season.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The future appears bright in Baltimore.

Loyola returns one of the nation’s best young draw specialists in Mae Murphy and several key offensive contributors. The experience gained against a difficult schedule should benefit a roster that now understands what it takes to compete for championships.

The Greyhounds finished 12-8, defeated nationally ranked opponents, reached the Patriot League semifinals, and spent part of the year in the national rankings. Those accomplishments provide a strong foundation entering 2027.

With continued development and improvement on the defensive end, Loyola has the potential to challenge for both a Patriot League championship and an NCAA Tournament berth next season.

Final Grade: B+

Loyola exceeded expectations, earned national attention, defeated a top-five opponent, and returned to the upper tier of the Patriot League. The season did not end with a championship trophy, but it clearly demonstrated that the Greyhounds are trending in the right direction and possess the talent to compete for bigger goals in 2027.