PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) announced today the 2026 women's lacrosse preseason coaches poll, with the Storm selected seventh.
Ashland sits atop the poll after earning 71 points and seven first-place votes, while Findlay follows closely behind in second with 66 points and the remaining two first-place votes. Walsh rounds out the top three with 58 points, followed by Thomas More (52) and Tiffin (46). Malone placed sixth with 40 points, just ahead of Lake Erie (28), while Northwood (27) and Ursuline (17) round out the preseason rankings.
A season ago, Lake Erie endured a difficult campaign, finishing 2-15 overall, though the final record did not fully reflect how competitive the Storm often were. Both wins came in dominant fashion, as Lake Erie defeated Saginaw Valley State 18-4 and Ursuline 18-6. Despite the struggles in the win column, five of the Storm's losses came by three goals or fewer, with several contests decided in the closing minutes.
Much of Lake Erie's offensive production returns, as four of the team's top five point leaders from a year ago are back in uniform. However, the Storm will be tasked with replacing two major pieces on both ends of the field. Madelyn Goodrich, who earned All-Conference Second Team honors in 2025, departs after a prolific senior season in which she scored 46 goals, including 26 over the final six games. On senior night, Goodrich recorded her 100th career goal for the Storm. Defensively, Lake Erie also graduates Shannon Smith, the 2025 G-MAC Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Conference First Team selection.
Leading the returners is Brooke McNeal, who enters her junior season after a breakout sophomore campaign. After posting 27 goals and two assists as a freshman, McNeal emerged as the Storm's primary scoring option in 2025, leading the team with 49 goals while adding 11 assists. Reese Friesen and Rachel Rose also return to round out the attack, combining for 30 goals and 23 assists last season.
Lake Erie also welcomes five incoming freshmen to the program as the Storm look to add depth following the departure of several senior leaders.
Head coach Lindy Brobeck enters her second season at the helm of the Storm. She is joined by new assistant coach Abigail Lindkvist, who brings an accomplished playing résumé from Mount Union. Lindkvist was a three-time conference Goalkeeper of the Year and set school records for both total saves and single-season saves during her collegiate career.
The Storm open the 2026 season with five straight non-conference matchups, beginning on Saturday, February 14 against Lincoln Memorial. Lake Erie's first home contest follows shortly after, as the Storm return to Painesville on Thursday, February 19, before conference play begins.
"I'm excited for this team to come out and show what we can do at the level of lacrosse we're pushing ourselves to play each day," Brobeck said.
