PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Norwich University has been selected as the unanimous favorite in the 2026 Little East Conference (LEC) Women’s Ice Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll, collecting each of a possible seven first-place votes for 49 points. UMass Boston finished second with 42 points and the remaining first-place vote, followed by the University of Southern Maine in third with 34 points.

Vermont State University Castleton placed fourth with 29 points, narrowly ahead of Plymouth State University with 27 points and Keene State College with 23 points. New England College and Western Connecticut State University rounded out the eight-team poll with 13 and seven points, respectively. 

Norwich returns an accomplished group under head coach Justin Simpson after finishing 26-3-0 and advancing to the NCAA Division III semifinals for the first time since 2018. The Cadets defeated Hamline 1-0 in the national quarterfinals before falling to Nazareth 5-4 in overtime in the semifinals. Leading Norwich’s returning group is reigning LEC Player of the Year and first-team All-America forward Livia Brooks, who recorded 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points. Defenseman Maggie Hunter also returns after earning first-team All-America honors and LEC Rookie of the Year recognition with six goals and 21 assists.

The Cadets’ returning depth includes first-team All-LEC forwards Bree Ricker and Geena Cookinham, who totaled 33 and 30 points, respectively, and first-team defenseman Alex Leslie, who contributed five goals and 18 assists. Second-team All-LEC forward Anna Lisac added 12 goals and 10 assists, giving Norwich an experienced core throughout its lineup.

UMass Boston enters the season under head coach David Lun after posting a 16-9-2 overall record and an 11-6-1 conference mark. Forwards Maggie Lynch and Grace Lynch return alongside goaltender Veronika Hedamovsky as the Beacons look to build on last season’s success. The incoming group includes Southern Maine transfer Ellie Eigner at forward and Chinese Taipei national team defenseman Yang-Chi Lin.

Southern Maine was selected third following an 11-15-1 season that included a 9-8-1 record in conference play. Head coach John Lauziere’s returning group features goaltender Maggie Jones and forwards Gracelyn Koch and Charlotte Hughes.

VTSU Castleton returns several experienced contributors after finishing 12-15-0 overall and 7-11-0 in the LEC under head coach Tim McAuliffe. Forward Taylor Adams leads the returning scorers after recording six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. Fellow forwards Mikayla Brightman, Amanda Vaughn and Brooke Noble added 15, 14 and 13 points, respectively. Defensemen Olivia Carter and Morgan Arscott also return as the Spartans welcome nine newcomers.

Plymouth State enters the season after going 12-14-0 overall and 6-12-0 in conference play under head coach Ben Chipman. Senior defenseman Grace Bonnell returns after earning first-team All-LEC honors with six goals and 11 assists. The Panthers also welcome back All-Rookie selections Lisi Palmer, who totaled four goals and 10 assists, and goaltender Jorja Moore, who posted a 2.01 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in 11 appearances. Transfers Morgan Slough from Curry and Sophia Nelson from Norwich add experience at forward.

Keene State begins its third season of competition under head coach Rob Morgan after finishing 11-16-0 overall and 7-11-0 in the LEC. Second-team All-LEC goaltender Ai Chung returns alongside forwards Brianna Finke and Ellie Patrick, who each recorded 17 points. Captain Ava Iantosca added seven goals and eight assists, while defensemen Emily Edmunds and Kenzley Goode provide additional experience.

New England College returns goaltender Anna McGinty, who registered a .938 save percentage and 2.72 goals-against average last season. Head coach Mackenzie Meegan’s Pilgrims finished 6-19-0 overall and 4-14-0 in conference play. Returning skaters include Jamie Blondin, who totaled six goals and four assists, and Alexis Hornsby, who added five goals and four assists.

Western Connecticut begins its first NCAA Division III season under head coach Shelley Looney. Junior goaltender Zoie Campbell, a transfer from Aurora, joins forwards Aaliyah Osawamick and Alyssa Jimenez and defenseman Kiya Witkin among the newcomers. The Wolves will look to their depth in goal as their young roster begins competition.

2026 LEC Women’s Ice Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Norwich – 49 (7)

2. UMass Boston – 42 (1)

3. Southern Maine – 34

4. VTSU Castleton – 29

5. Plymouth State – 27

6. Keene State – 23

7. New England College – 13

8. Western Connecticut – 7

Note: Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team. First-place votes are in parentheses.