SPARKS, Md. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison lacrosse earned the No. 20 ranking in USA Lacrosse’s Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20, the outlet announced on Monday.
The Dukes’ ranking comes on the heels of a 14-5 campaign in which they won their first American title since joining the league in 2023, advancing to the first round of the NCAA Championship.
JMU finished 2025 No. 17 in both the USA Lacrosse and the ILWomen/IWLCA coaches’ final polls.
The Dukes will face four opponents that also made the top 20, with all four landing within the top 10: No. 1 North Carolina, No. 7 Virginia, No. 8 Maryland, and No. 10 Johns Hopkins.
JMU will open the 2026 season at Sentara Park against the defending national champions, No. 1 North Carolina, on Feb.7 at 12 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
