WASHINGTON, Pa. – Following a narrow loss in the Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship game last spring to snap its three-year run atop of the conference, the Washington & Jefferson College women's lacrosse team opens its 2025 season with the same goals and standards in mind for the new campaign.  

2024 Season Review: The Presidents reached the conference finals for an eighth-straight time last spring. W&J concluded the season with an 11-7 overall record and a 9-0 mark in conference play.

The Presidents opened the season with six-straight losses while facing a tough non-conference schedule. W&J dropped a back-and-forth battle with visiting Mount Union in the season opener. Despite a strong showing, the Purple Raiders edged the Presidents by a 13-12 score in overtime. W&J went on to drop decisions to Capital (23-17), Wooster (18-12) and Ohio Wesleyan (12-9). The Presidents suffered a 14-7 loss to Dickinson and a 16-11 loss to Marymount over Spring Break.

W&J regrouped and put together an 11-game winning streak. The Presidents rolled to a 22-12 road victory over Marietta on March 27. The Presidents got four-goal efforts from Aisa Uhler and Sofia Jenkins as a big first quarter helped the Red and Black surge to the victory. W&J opened conference play in a major way with a 12-11 road victory over Allegheny. Sofia Jenkins turned in a six-point performance while Anna Kloehn (Canton, Ohio/Jackson) registered a hat trick in the narrow victory.  

The Presidents kept things rolling from there. Three of the next four conference wins featured 20-plus goal efforts. Highlighting that portion of the season was a 20-13 home victory over Chatham University on April 10. W&J eventually extended its winning streak to nine with commanding conference wins over Westminster (16-6), Waynesburg (18-3) and Saint Vincent (19-3). That run set up a showdown with Grove City in the regular season finale. The Presidents outpaced the Wolverines in the middle two quarters to build a lead and secure an unbeaten regular season in conference play. Aisa Uhler scored four times on Senior Day to help power the Presidents to an 11-9 victory.

Caleigh Bogats (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley) and Aisa Uhler scored four goals apiece to help W&J double up Chatham by a 14-7 score in the PAC Tournament Semifinals. After both teams scored three goals in the first quarter, W&J outscored Chatham by an 11-4 margin over the final three quarters.

After recording a 14-7 win over Chatham in the semifinals, W&J would face third-seeded Grove City in the championship match. A slow start hindered the Presidents as they suffered a 13-10 loss in the title tilt. W&J trailed by a 10-2 margin at halftime. Despite a decided advantage in the second half, the early deficit proved too much in the Presidents' quest for a fourth-straight PAC title. W&J scored the final six goals and eight of the last nine scores in the loss. Jenkins and Holland both registered hat tricks in the title game.

Highlighting the individual honors was the efforts of Jenkins, who concluded a record setting career in memorable fashion. Jenkins secured All-Region honors from the IWLCA in addition to receiving PAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-PAC First Team. Jenkins went on to represent W&J at the 2024 IWLCA All-Star Game in late May.

Jenkins finished with 95 points, which equaled the W&J single-season school record. Jenkins was also the team leader with 65 draw controls. She added 22 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers in 2024. She wrapped up her career ranking first in program history with 139 assists, third with 236 points and fifth with 161 draw controls.

Jenkins was joined by Uhler and Ella Phillips (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) on the All-PAC First Team. Kloehn, Bogats and Sammy Hartz (Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale) picked up Second Team honors while Ella Holland (Healdsburg, Calif./Cardinal Newman) received Honorable Mention laurels. 

Valerio took one more chance to reflect back on the contributions from the Class of 2024. Joining Jenkins and Uhler in one of the top classes in school history were goalkeeper Kaitlyn Brown, attack Emily Heck and defender Paige Howe.

"The 2024 class was notably one of our most successful classes," Valerio said. "They met the standard and expectation of our program that we strive to compete for championships. They helped our program grow in the right direction and left a legacy for our future teams to build from. The finale of their career wasn't the ending they hoped for, but it amounts to little compared to everything they accomplished over the last four years."
 
Position By Position Breakdown: Despite the loss of five fantastic seniors a season ago, the 2025 W&J women's lacrosse team returns several accomplished athletes across the field for the upcoming season.

"While it's inevitable to lose talented players each year, the legacy and work ethic our senior classes leave behind has a profound impact on our program," Valerio said. "As a group, we adapt and adjust as the year progresses, but our goals and expectations are unchanged. We continue to develop our returners and first years to reach their fullest potential."

Attack: Bogats will most likely see time on attack and in the midfield. A two-time All-PAC performer and two-time All-PAC Tournament Team selection, Bogats tallied 50 points last year with 37 goals and 13 assists. The former PAC Newcomer of the Year has totaled 93 draw controls, 63 ground balls and caused 32 turnovers over her first two seasons with the Presidents. Bogats enters 2025 with 88 career points.

"There's benefit in the fact she was mentored by strong upper classes her first two seasons. Caleigh's in a position now to give back to the classes below her with the experience and knowledge she's gained," Valerio remarked. "As an individual player, she also has personal goals and expectations of herself, which attributes her work ethic and production on the field."

Kloehn took on an even bigger role last season as a sophomore. She earned All-PAC Second Team honors and earned a spot on the PAC All-Tournament Team. Kloehn finished with 39 goals and six assists to total 45 points. Kloehn was a consistent presence during W&J's extended winning streak, as she recorded multi-goal games in the final 12 games including 10 hat tricks. Her six-goal game in a regular season win over Chatham was a career high.  

Brynne Stewart (Painesville, Ohio/Andrews Osborne Academy) will be counted upon to play a bigger role as a junior. Stewart has appeared in 29 games (five starts) over her first two years with the Red and Black. Stewart finished with 10 goals and five assists last season.

Shelby Blanford (Odenton, Md./Arundel) joins the squad as a transfer. Blanford appeared in 13 games as a freshman with Division II Wilmington University (Delaware) in 2023 before competing last year for Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Blanford, who stands at 5-10 could also see time in the draw circle.

McKenzie Gensemer (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson) appeared in seven games last season as a freshman.

Midfield: W&J will have some options in the midfield. Bolinda and Holland return to the fold at the position.

Bolinda enters her junior season as one of the team captains. Bolinda has shown versality throughout her career, as she has played all over the field in her previous two seasons. Bolinda has totaled 55 points (35 goals, 20 assists) to go along with 68 ground balls and 66 draw controls. She ranked second on the team in draw controls last year and third in ground balls.

Holland earned All-PAC Honorable Mention selection last year in her first year with the Presidents. The sophomore totaled 38 points (29 goals, nine assists) to go along with 49 ground balls, 33 caused turnovers and 21 draw controls. She earned a spot on the PAC All-Tournament Team after registering a hat trick in the championship game.

Avery Byard (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) should factor into the midfield mix after a solid high school career in the state of Maryland. Bogats and Blanford could also see time in the midfield once as the lineup shakes out throughout the season.

Defense: W&J returns to key cogs of their defensive unit from a season ago. Leading the way is senior Ella Phillips, who has been a key member of the group for the past three seasons, including two conference championship teams. Through her first three seasons, Phillips has 160 ground balls and 107 caused turnovers over 54 career games (all starts). Phillips has earned All-PAC First Team honors in all three seasons. Joining Phillips as returning starters on the defense is sophomore Sammy Hartz (Ijamsville, Md. / Oakdale), who made an immediate impact as a starter last season. Hartz totaled picked up 42 ground balls and caused 29 turnovers in 18 starts. Hartz earned Second Team honors as a freshman.

"We have a lot of veteran experience on both sides of the field and each year look to bring in new players who can contribute right away," Valerio stated. "It's a collective effort and we work hard to ensure everyone has the opportunity to impact our team's success. Sammy and Ella will certainly help lead the way and play a big role this season."

Haley Lawyer (Glenside, Pa./Archbishop Wood) and Emma Herrington (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) also return at the position. Josie Ungaro (Oreland, Pa. / Upper Dublin) and Brianna Nader (Cochranton, Pa. / Conneaut Area) join the mix at the position.

Goalkeeper: At goalkeeper, W&J looks to fill the shoes of Brown, who was a four-year starter who left her name all over the program record book. Brown finished first all time with 552 career saves and ninth with 134 ground balls.

Gianna Baker (Carlisle, Pa./Trinity) heads up the Presidents' efforts in goal. The junior made six appearances as a freshman in 2023. Baker made eight saves during her debut season for the Presidents.

Team Captains: Ella Phillips, Mya Bolinda, Sammy Hartz

"We're excited for this group to take their leadership to the next level," Valerio said. "They've all been leaders over the last few seasons and have learned from tough wins and hard losses. Despite being in different classes, they are veteran players in this role, and we look forward to working with them."
 

2025 PAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll (Predicted order of finish)
School (first-place votes)	Points	2024 records
1. Grove City (4)	76	15-6, 7-2 PAC
2. W&J (3)	72	11-7, 9-0 PAC
3. Chatham (2)	63	10-8, 6-3 PAC
4. Allegheny (1)	59	9-7, 8-1 PAC
5. Westminster	48	5-11, 4-5 PAC
6. Thiel	41	9-7, 5-4 PAC
7. Saint Vincent	35	5-12, 1-8 PAC
8. Franciscan	30	3-11, 3-6 PAC
9. Bethany	16	4-12, 2-7 PAC
10. Geneva	10	First varsity season in 2025

 
2025 PAC Women's Lacrosse Players to Watch
Name                               Yr.         Pos.      Hometown/High School
Caleigh Bogats (2)           Jr.           M           Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley
Sammy Hartz (2)             So.          D           Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale
Anna Kloehn (2)              Jr.            A            Canton, Ohio/Jackson
Ella Phillips (1)                Sr.           D            Arnold, Md./Broadneck

(Number in parenthesis indicates what All-PAC Team each made in 2024)

Newcomers: W&J has four newcomers join the roster this season. The group includes a junior transfer Shelby Blanford (Odenton, Md./Arundel) and three first-year collegiate players. Those donning the Red and Black for the first time as freshmen are Avery Byard (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown), Brianna Nader (Cochranton, Pa./Conneaut Area) and Josie Ungaro (Oreland, Pa./Upper Dublin).

"We're very impressed with our newcomers," Valerio mentioned. "Their knowledge of the game and high lax IQ stood out in the fall and we're very excited to see what they can do in their first season together."

2025 Newcomers
Shelby Blanford              Jr.           M           Odenton, Md. / Arundel
Avery Byard                     Fr.          M           Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown
Brianna Nader                Fr.          D           Cochranton, Pa. / Conneaut Area
Josie Ungaro                   Fr.          D           Oreland, Pa. / Upper Dublin

Looking At The Schedule: W&J opens its season at Wooster on Feb. 26. The Presidents non-conference schedule includes games versus Mount Union (March 1), Wilson (March 4) and Ohio Wesleyan (March 8). Non-conference play concludes at Immaculata with a Spring Break game on March 10.

The Presidents open PAC play with a rematch of last year's championship game versus Grove City on March 22. The Presidents face the Thiel Tomcats on March 26 before heading to Chatham on March 29. W&J hosts Allegheny on April 5 before making the trip to Beaver Falls to face Geneva for the first time on April 9.

The Red and Black host three of the final four regular season games. The Presidents welcome Westminster (April 12) before heading to Saint Vincent on April 15.

W&J then hosts Bethany (April 18) and Franciscan (April 26) to finish the regular season. The PAC Tournament is scheduled for April 29 (Quarterfinals), May 1 (Semifinals) and May 3 (Championship Game).

Last Word From The Head Coach: "We're excited for the 2025 season to begin and always look forward to competing in the PAC."