The Penn State Nittany Lions women’s lacrosse team earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, according to a May 3 announcement during the ESPNU selection show. This marks their first tournament appearance since 2024 and comes in Head Coach Kayla Treanor’s inaugural season with the program.
The team’s return to postseason play is significant as it highlights both individual and collective achievements during the 2026 campaign. Penn State will compete as an at-large bid, traveling to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they will face Stanford on Friday, May 8. The winner advances to play in the second round on Sunday, May 10 against host and seventh-seed Michigan Wolverines. The Nittany Lions are one of six Big Ten teams participating this year alongside Northwestern, Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Michigan and Rutgers.
Penn State started its season with a perfect 9-0 record that matched its performance from 1989 and finished with twelve wins for the first time since 2017. Under Treanor’s leadership, offensive production increased by over fifty percent compared to last year—scoring 141 more points—and led the conference with a shot percentage of just over fifty percent. Defensive improvements were also noted in caused turnovers and save percentages.
Several players received recognition for their performances throughout the season. Freshman Rocquette Allen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week six times—a school record—and later earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Susannah O’Connell joined Allen on the All-Freshman squad while Delaney Radin was selected for both All-Big Ten First Team and added to the Tewaaraton Watch List after tying a single-game assist record set in 1985. Maggie Driver also made her debut on All-Big Ten First Team; Anna Salerno collected her third all-conference award; Kelly MacKinney secured both Big Ten and IWLCA Offensive Player of the Week awards; Sydney Manning was recognized as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week; Erika Ho appeared on an initial Tewaaraton Watch List; Lilly Spilker received Big Ten Sportsmanship Honor.
This marks Coach Treanor’s fifth consecutive trip to postseason play as head coach—all previous four came during her tenure at Syracuse—with each team winning double-digit games under her guidance.
Fans can find more information about Penn State women’s lacrosse by visiting GoPSUSports.com or following team social media accounts.
