BUFFALO, N.Y. – After securing their first ten-win season since 2012, the Buffalo State women's lacrosse team looks to continue that success, as a change of guard takes the helm for the new season. Former assistant coach and now new head coach, Bean Minerd, will take the lead for the women's lacrosse team moving forward. "It's an exciting time for not only myself but for the girls," Minerd stated, "I'm excited for this opportunity to carry on the things we did last season and accomplish more this season."

Joining the coaching staff are two former members of the women's lacrosse program. Entering the season as an assistant coach is Anastacia Wells, a two-time Ruth Houston Award finalist at Buffalo State, who eclipsed the women's lacrosse most caused turnovers in a single season marker, setting the ground balls and caused turnovers in a career marker, and was a former All-SUNYAC Second Team member. Joining her is former midfielder Lauren Rinow, who played 63 games, totaling 121 points on 90 goals and 31 assists, putting her in 18th all-time on the career scoring list. As the Bengals shape their coaching staff for the new year, a roster of talented women aims to prove their coaches right and be the successful team they aim to be.

A major part of the Bengals' success last season was their offense, which scored 285 goals, falling short of the 295-goal mark set in 2012. And while the Bengals may have lost two members of that scoring barrage, a key component of that offensive success returns to continuing her record-shattering play. Attacker, Vanessa Willick (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East) led the Bengals with 101 total points (80 goals and 21 assists) last season. Willick's 101 points positioned her tied for fourth all-time for most points in a single season in the program, while her 80 goals tied her for second all-time for most goals in a single season. Willick also led the SUNYAC in both categories last season as well.

Outside of Willick is returning midfielder, Emilee Josker (Hamburg, NY/Frontier), who finished last season with 55 points (47 goals and eight assists). A vital member of the program, Josker is an X-factor as the Bengals' draw control specialist, dictating the pace of their attack. Midfielder, Kira Grzechowiak (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West), who finished last season with 41 points (39 goals and two assists), will look to step up as a key contributor to the Bengals' offensive attack for the new season. Outside of the listed trio, Bri Struck (Penn Yan, NY/Penn Yan), Hazel Vitko-Woods (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), and Malenne Vinueza (New York, NY/Frederick Douglas Academy) are names to look out for throughout the season.

On the defensive end, the Bengals return the core of their unit as goalies Moira Penot (Clifton Heights, PA/Upper Darby) and Brielle Lum (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) return between the pipes to lead the Bengals. Lum led the Bengals last season with a .407 save percentage in 19 games played, while Penot limited offenses to 40 goals against.

While the goalies make sure nothing goes in, it's up to the members in front to limit the offensive chances, in which case, the Bengals have a strong front to limit the opposition. Defender Carly Barrett (Forestville, NY/Forestville) and Dejah Evans-Murphy (Auburn, NY/Auburn) lead the charge on that end, coming off strong seasons last season. Emma Ramseier (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) and Syrianna Running Rabbit (Siksika, AB/Outreach) joins them in that department, a constant members of the Bengals defensive core for the last several seasons. With Wells joining the Bengals coaching staff, look to newcomer Isabella Shenandoah-Kurtz (LaFayette, NY/LaFayette), as well as Emily Goodstal (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley), Mya Brown (Buffalo, NY/Frontier) and Elona Jackson (West Babylon, NY/North Babylon) to add to the Bengals core and keep the ship moving.

The 2026 season starts this Saturday, with the Bengals opening their season on the road at Geneva College at 1:00 PM. With their first five of six games of the new season taking place on Coyer Field, the Bengals will look forward to their home-field advantage. Notable non-conference opponents making their way to Coyer Field include the Nazareth University Golden Flyers (Mar. 4 @ 4PM), the Utica University Pioneers (Mar. 7 @ 1PM), and the Grove City College Wolverines (Mar. 14 @ 1 PM).

The Bengals open their SUNYAC portion of the season on March 28th, as they host SUNY Canton for Senior Day at 12:00 PM. An April filled with SUNYAC foes, including road stops at Oswego State (Apr. 8 @ 4PM) and Cortland (Apr. 18 @ 1 PM), the Bengals will close out their 2026 campaign hosting their 'Battle by the Lake' rival, Fredonia, on April 22nd at 4:00 PM.

The SUNYAC tournament will begin on April 25th, as the Bengals will look to avenge their semifinal loss last season and claim their first SUNYAC Finals appearance since 2012 and the program's first SUNYAC Championship.