By Anna Lougee ’24, staff writer  

The women’s lacrosse team has high expectations for their first season in the MAC Freedom Conference.  

With the coaches’ preseason polls placing them third in the conference, the team has plans to achieve that and more. Senior midfielder Emily Beard, a two-year captain and a crucial member of the team for the Dutchmen, has her goals set high for her last season.  

“We’re really excited to prove ourselves within this new conference,” Beard said. “It will be a good opportunity to make a name for ourselves.”

By switching to the opposing side of the MAC Conference, the Dutchmen will face several teams for the first time.   

“It will certainly be a challenge to see some of these teams for the first time,” senior defender Riley Finnegan said. “But I think it will be exciting for our team to get to experience the fresh competition.”  

The team has begun their first week of practices, with their first game approaching rapidly, where the Dutchmen will travel to Dickinson College on Saturday, Feb. 17.