The UConn women’s lacrosse team kicks off the 2025 season against No. 24 Drexel on Saturday at 1 p.m. at home.
With a new campaign on the horizon, the program needed to make changes to the roster. After their 2024 run, 10 key players left due to eligibility. UConn took a significant step back in the forward position, as only two out of eight top scorers returned this year. Rayea Davis is the new leader up top now that Kate Shaffer is gone. The redshirt junior had the second-highest scored goals in 2024 with 44. The next highest for the Huskies is now Eliza Bowman, who knocked in 28 last year. Bowman participated in all 18 matches but never started in 2024. With the lack of returning attackers, the graduate student has a solid shot at becoming a starter.
To fill the gaps, seeing more playing time from players like Anna Zimmermann and Barlow Clark-Schoeb should surprise no one. Zimmermann saw the field only five times last season and slung in two goals. Clark-Schoeb performed in 12 contests but struggled to find the net. In addition, several new freshmen joined Connecticut to help rebuild what was lost.
Turning to the defense, Connecticut lost three backfielders and one goalkeeper. This does not seem bad, but UConn lost their main tender. Landyn White sat in the back of the net every contest in 2024, and now the team will lean on Sofia Oximana to protect the goal. The defenders Megan Whitley and Raye Neil started every clash for the Huskies. Whitley caused 15 turnovers in her final season, while Neil had 10. Between the two, the won 31 ground balls.
Despite losing players in the back, the team still has Riley Daly, who put on a show last year, stealing 21 balls, controlling 43 draws and taking 32 ground balls. Daly played in all 18 games and looks to stay that way in 2025. To add on, Abby Beran could step up this season. The sophomore had a great rookie campaign in 2024 with little turnovers and making plays as a defender. Beran participated in 17 clashes with 12 starts and taking the field more is likely.
Looking at Drexel’s 2025 roster, the Dragons lost their star attacker Corinne Bednarik. The fifth-year put up 58 balls in the back of the net in her final season. Allison Drake is the new attacker to watch out for on Saturday. Drake threw in 40 goals coming off the bench and seeing more production from her in 2025 could happen.
The Huskies look to continue their six-home game-winning streak in the season opener while Drexel plans to stay ranked.