It’s often difficult for the service academies to win big in college athletics. But that’s not likely to be the case when it comes to the Patriot League in the 2025-26 women’s basketball season.
Navy and Army are the fan favorites in the Patriot League. The last time the two service academies finished 1-2 in the Patriot League was in the 2013.14 season, but both teams are loaded for a season that features three new coaches in the 10-team league. Loyala (Maryland), Lehigh and Holy Cross are also expected to be in contention. Boston University, Bucknell and Colgate aren’t far behind and Lafayette and American round out the league.
Here’s a season preview and rankings for the Patriot League’s 2025-26 women’s basketball season:
1. NAVY
Last season’s point guard Kyah Smith transferred to William & Mary after last season, but most of the rest of the roster returns. That group is highlighted by Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year and Defensive player of the Year Zanai Barnett-Gay, who averaged 19 pointsp per game last season. Six seniors return and forward Kate Samson and guards Toni Papahronis and Maren Louridas were starters last season.
2. ARMY
Long-time St. Joseph’s assistant Katie Kuester moves into her first head coaching job at West Point and she inherits a talented roster. Four starters return and that group is highlighted by point guard Reese Ericson, who averaged 10.4 points a game last season. Guards Fiona Hastick and Camryn Tade and forward Kya Smith also return. Kuester also expects two freshmen — Reggane Reardon and Jane Preston to provide some help in the frontcourt.
3. LOYOLA (MARYLAND)
With forward Lexi Therien healthy after missing most of last season with an injury, there is plenty of optimism at Loyola. Therien will be joned on the front line by graduate student Koi Sims, who came up just short of averaging a double-double last season. Point guard Kimmie Hicks also returns after missing part of last season with an injury.
4. LEHIGH
The Mountain Hawks were Patriot League champions last season, but they lost four starters to graduation. Senior forward Lily Fandre (9.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season) is the lone returning starter. Forward Belle Bramer and guard Gracyn Lovette should move into the starting lineup after playing key roles off the bench last season.
5. HOLY CROSS
Three full-time starters – guard Kaitlyn Flanagan,forward Meg Cahalan and guard Mary Elizaebeth Donnelly — return from a team that went 19-12 last season. Guards Simone Foreman and Kendall Eddy each got significant playing time last season and should get more this season. There’s not a lot of experience up front and that means Holy Cross will need to get big things out of 6-foot-4 freshman Mackenzie Teevan.
6. BOSTON UNIVERSITY
The Terriers will have a veteran roster this season after bringing in seven new players last season. With Anastasiia Semenyova and Allison Schwertner returning and freshman Kate Allard coming onboard, Boston University will have one of the tallest front lines in the Patriot League. Point guard Aoibhe Gormley returns after dishing out 94 assists last season.
7. BUCKNELL
The Bison lost their top two players from last season when Patriot League Player of the Year and Ashley Sofilkanich transferred to Michigan and point guard Sophia Sabino left for New Hampshire. Freshman Kaila Richards is expected to step in at point guard. Returning forwards Elana Weisman and Tuana Coskun are expected to get big minutes as they attempt to make up for the loss of Sofilkanich up front.
8. COLGATE
Shannon Bush takes over as head coach and she inherits three returning starters — forward Christina Midgette and guards Madison Schiller and Anne Blair. Transfer forward Karena Eberts (UC Santa Barbar) should provide a boost in the frontcourt.
9. LAFAYETTE
The Leopards lost last season’s starting guards in Halee Smith and Abby Antognoli. But they return three guards — Kay Donahue, Sauda Ntaconavigize and Talia Zurinkskas — who got a lot off playing time off the bench last season. Forward Tasha Chudy
returns and she’ll get some help from forwards Mingaile Urmuleviciute and Emma Shields, who missed large chunks of last season with injures.
10. AMERICAN
Coach Kelly Killion takes over a team that won only one game last season. Cecilia Kay, American’s top scorer and rebounder last season, transferred to St. Joseph’s. Killion will need guard Laura Nogues and Anna Rescifina to pick up some of the scoring load and emerge as team leaders.
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