Maryland Women’s Lacrosse Lands Nation’s No. 1 Recruiting Class for 2026

Maryland women’s lacrosse continues to prove that it remains one of the premier destinations in the sport.

Inside Lacrosse has named Maryland’s incoming 2026 recruiting class the No. 1 class in the nation, giving head coach Cathy Reese another elite group to build around as the Terrapins prepare for the 2027 season.

The class features eight freshmen and is headlined by Cayden Reese, one of the most highly regarded prospects in the country. Maryland also brings in elite talent at defense, midfield, attack and goalkeeper, giving the Terps one of the most balanced incoming groups in college lacrosse.

For a program with Maryland’s tradition, this class is another major statement.

Cayden Reese Headlines the Class

The biggest name in Maryland’s incoming group is Cayden Reese.

The Glenelg, Maryland native has been ranked as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2026 throughout the recruiting cycle and will arrive in College Park with enormous expectations.

Reese finished her high school career at Maryvale by helping lead the program to the No. 1 national ranking.

She totaled 60 goals, 35 assists and 40 draw controls during her senior season while earning recognition in the Senior All-America Game.

Reese will also have one of the most unique storylines in college lacrosse when she joins Maryland.

She will play for her mother, legendary Terrapins head coach Cathy Reese.

That connection will certainly generate attention, but Cayden Reese’s resume speaks for itself. She enters Maryland as one of the most accomplished players in the country and immediately adds another dangerous scoring option to the Terps offense.

Kit Laake Gives Maryland Another Elite Recruit

Cayden Reese is not the only highly ranked player coming to College Park.

Defender Kit Laake, also from Glenelg, gives Maryland another national-level prospect.

Laake and Reese have been longtime club teammates and will now continue their careers together with the Terrapins.

Laake has consistently been regarded as one of the top defenders in her recruiting class.

Adding an elite defender alongside the nation’s top-ranked player gives Maryland significant talent on both ends of the field.

That balance is one of the biggest strengths of this recruiting class.

Maryland did not simply load up on attackers. The Terps added highly regarded players at nearly every position.

Michaela Fay Gives Maryland Another Top Prospect

Maryland also adds midfielder Michaela Fay from Suffern, New York.

Fay climbed into the top tier of Inside Lacrosse’s final freshman rankings and gives the Terrapins another versatile player capable of contributing across the field.

Her addition gives Maryland another athlete who can impact transition play, possession and both sides of the ball.

Players with that kind of versatility have traditionally thrived in Maryland’s system.

Toby Bergstrom Adds Defensive Depth

Toby Bergstrom comes to College Park from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Bergstrom gives Maryland another highly regarded defender and adds even more depth to a unit that already has Laake joining the program.

Inside Lacrosse ranked Bergstrom among the nation’s top incoming freshmen.

Maryland has built its reputation on developing complete players, and having multiple high-level defenders arrive in the same recruiting class could help create competition immediately.

Gagliardi and Egbert Add More High-Level Talent

Midfielder Sofia Gagliardi and goalkeeper Ashley Egbert were also recognized among the nation’s notable incoming players.

Gagliardi comes to Maryland from West Chester, Pennsylvania, while Egbert arrives from Delray Beach, Florida.

Egbert gives the Terrapins another option in goal, an important position for any program hoping to make a deep postseason run.

Maryland has historically placed a major emphasis on elite goalie play and team defense, and Egbert now enters a program with a long track record of developing top players at the position.

Gagliardi adds another midfield option to a class already loaded with athleticism.

Full Maryland 2026 Recruiting Class

Maryland’s incoming freshman class includes:

Cayden Reese – Attack – Glenelg, Maryland

Kit Laake – Defense – Glenelg, Maryland

Michaela Fay – Midfield – Suffern, New York

Toby Bergstrom – Defense – Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Sofia Gagliardi – Midfield – West Chester, Pennsylvania

Ashley Egbert – Goalie – Delray Beach, Florida

Avery Jones – Attack – Cumming, Georgia

Ava Derby – Midfield – East Quogue, New York

It is a geographically diverse group that gives Maryland talent at every level of the field.

Six Incoming Terps Earn National Recognition

One of the biggest reasons Maryland’s class stands out is the depth of nationally recognized talent.

Six members of the incoming class received recognition in Inside Lacrosse’s final freshman rankings.

Maryland has three players among the top group of incoming recruits, while Bergstrom also received a strong national ranking.

Gagliardi and Egbert were included among the players to watch.

That level of depth is significant.

Elite recruiting classes are not built around one star. They are built around several players capable of becoming major contributors.

Maryland appears to have exactly that.

Recruiting Momentum Continues for Cathy Reese

The recruiting success comes at an important time for Maryland.

The Terrapins remain one of the most recognizable programs in women’s college lacrosse, and Cathy Reese continues to attract some of the best players in the country.

Maryland’s history includes national championships, All-Americans and numerous players who have gone on to represent the United States and play professionally.

That tradition remains one of the program’s greatest recruiting tools.

Players who come to College Park know they will compete for championships and play against some of the strongest programs in the country.

The No. 1 ranking for the 2026 class shows that Maryland’s national reputation remains as strong as ever.

Maryland Adds Talent Beyond the Freshman Class

The freshmen are not the only major additions coming into the Maryland program.

The Terrapins have also been aggressive in the transfer portal.

Maryland recently added several highly regarded transfers, including Gianna Monaco, Kira Balis and Ella Romeo.

Monaco was ranked among the top transfers available after previously starring at Florida.

That means Maryland will be adding both elite freshmen and experienced college players to its roster.

Combining proven veterans with one of the nation’s strongest freshman classes could make Maryland one of the deepest teams in the country.

A Class Built for the Future

What stands out most about this recruiting group is the balance.

Maryland added attack talent.

Maryland added midfield talent.

Maryland added multiple defenders.

Maryland added a goalkeeper.

That gives Cathy Reese options throughout the lineup.

Some freshmen may contribute immediately, while others could develop into major players over the next several seasons.

That is exactly what a top recruiting class should provide.

MSB Take

Maryland women’s lacrosse does not rebuild very often.

It reloads.

Landing the No. 1 recruiting class in the country is another reminder of the standard Cathy Reese has created in College Park.

Cayden Reese will naturally receive most of the attention because of her No. 1 national ranking and the opportunity to play for her mother.

But this class is much bigger than one player.

Kit Laake gives Maryland an elite defensive prospect.

Michaela Fay brings versatility in the midfield.

Toby Bergstrom strengthens the defensive group.

Sofia Gagliardi, Ashley Egbert, Avery Jones and Ava Derby give the Terrapins even more depth and upside.

When you combine this freshman group with Maryland’s returning players and its incoming transfers, the roster has the potential to be extremely talented.

There will always be pressure at Maryland.

National championships are the expectation, not simply making the postseason.

This recruiting class gives the Terrapins another foundation capable of competing at that level.

Maryland has once again attracted some of the best young players in the country.

Now the next step is turning that recruiting success into another championship run.