COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Mesa University and Regis University begin the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference women’s lacrosse season tied for first-place in the 2026 RMAC Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll, announced Thursday. Announced alongside the poll was the Preseason All-RMAC Team. The RMAC’s preseason team is determined by placing returning players in order of head coaches’ voting from the league’s 2024-25 All-RMAC Teams.

Colorado Mesa’s Heather Hawkins and Courtney Havel lead the Preseason All-Conference Team. Hawkins enters the 2026 season after an astonishing debut season in which she earned RMAC Goalkeeper and Freshman of the Year honors, along with a First Team All-RMAC recognition. Havel also returns following a dominant season, bringing with her the 2025 RMAC Attacker of the Year award and a First Team All-RMAC nod. Joining Hawkins and Havel as returning members of the 2025 First-Team All-RMAC roster are Shea Murphy (Regis), Justine Anderson (Colorado Mesa), and Sadie Chappuis (Colorado Mesa).

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs checks in at No. 3 in the preseason poll with 17 points, while Westminster follows closely behind with 13. Colorado State University Pueblo and Fort Lewis close out the 2026 Preseason Coaches’ Poll, securing nine and five points, respectively.

In conference play, Hawkins led the RMAC in goals-against average (7.29) and save percentage (.529). Taking over the starting role early in her freshman campaign, Hawkins started 14 games and finished the season with a 9.08 goals-against average and a .494 save percentage. Her standout performances earned her Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association National Player of the Week recognition on April 1, 2025, and she was also named RMAC Defensive Player of the Week twice (March 17 and 31).

Havel returns for the Mavericks after pacing the team with 46 goals while posting an impressive .716 shot-on-goal percentage. The Lake Oswego, Oregon native ranked fifth in the RMAC in goals and seventh in points per game (3.24). Her offensive production proved instrumental throughout the season, helping propel the Mavericks to their first-ever opportunity to host the 2025 RMAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship.

The RMAC’s six women’s lacrosse programs set their sights on a berth in the 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Lacrosse Championship, scheduled for May 23 at Judson Stadium in Rochester, New York. The national championship tournament begins on May 21, with ticket information to be announced at a later date on NCAA.com.

All RMAC women’s lacrosse games broadcast by its six member institutions will only be available for purchase via a single-game pass or a monthly or annual subscription. Revenue generated by the network will be redistributed to the league’s membership to enhance their programs.

A discounted annual subscription price will be available to students, faculty, and staff of each member institution throughout the year. Additionally, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is presenting its third RMAC Network “Peak Pricing” sale, beginning available until Friday, Jan. 30. During the sale, fans can purchase the final months of an annual subscription for 25% off using the code RMACSPRING26 during the purchasing process. Purchasing options and pricing for individual RMAC Championships will be announced closer to each event.