Philadelphia, PA - La Salle women's rugby begins its second season Saturday, September 5, when the Explorers host Princeton at 11 a.m. at Hank DeVincent Field.

The Explorers enter 2026 with a stronger foundation than their inaugural record might suggest. La Salle finished its first campaign 2-8, earning the first victories in program history with a sweep of Temple, while four of its losses were decided by five points or fewer.

Several of the players who drove that progress return for year two at 20th and Olney.

Returning sophomore Kaylie Castro headlines the group after earning Team MVP honors. Castro recorded three tries during her debut season, scoring against Navy, Army and Mount St. Mary's.

Bailey Borum-Grey also returns after producing the program's most significant external recognition to date. The sophomore was named La Salle's Forward MVP before becoming the first Explorer selected to an All-NIRA team, earning honorable mention recognition following the season.

La Salle's leading scorer is back as well. Returning sophomore Maeve Delaney established a program record with seven tries, including the first two tries in La Salle varsity history. She reached the try zone on four different dates and gives the Explorers an established attacking threat entering the new campaign.

Returning sophomore Carolina Martinez, the team's Back MVP, provides another proven piece. Claire Meislahn also returns after scoring three tries as a freshman, including two during the Temple sweep, while Mallory Weronko is back after recording her first collegiate try in one of those victories.

Mylo Godwin, Finley Larson, Natalia Phillips, Nora Rosenburg and Grace Thurmond are among the other returning sophomores who now possess a full varsity season of experience. Returning senior Breauna Wertman, who previously competed at Quinnipiac, gives the young roster an experienced upperclass presence.

La Salle's returning core will be joined by eight freshmen: Elle Chabot, Paisley Davey, Josslyn Deal, Esme Gates, Josie Hanks, Nevaeh Martin, Hannah Tagaga and Jocelyn Terry. The class reaches La Salle from rugby communities across Colorado, Pennsylvania, Iowa, South Carolina, Florida and California.

Graduate student Alyssa Williams adds another source of collegiate experience after transferring from Murray State. Sophomore Savanna Lind is also a new addition to the 2026 roster.

The newcomers will have an opportunity to contribute immediately as head coach Kelsie McDowell continues developing a program whose inaugural roster was built almost entirely around first-year players. This season's team combines those now-tested veterans with a new class capable of expanding La Salle's depth.

After opening against Princeton, La Salle travels to Army on Sept. 11 and Mount St. Mary's on Sept. 19. The Explorers return home to face Temple on Sept. 26, followed by October home matches against Navy and West Chester. La Salle concludes the regular season at LIU on Oct. 31.