NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – James Madison lacrosse will begin the season No. 12 in the nation, receiving that ranking in the ILWomen/IWLCA Division I Preseason Poll released on Monday.

The No. 12 ranking in the coaches poll matches both last season’s preseason ranking and JMU’s final ranking of 2022.

Monday’s top-15 national mark follows a 14-5 record in the 2022 season and a seventh consecutive NCAA Championship appearance.

Both ILWomen and IWLCA awarded All-American honors last season to 2023 returners Mairead Durkin and Isabella Peterson. Durkin received Second Team honors from the IWLCA and Third Team from ILWomen, while Peterson was tabbed Third Team by IWLCA and an Honorable Mention by ILWomen.

JMU’s 2023 schedule features eight teams which were also ranked in the top 25: North Carolina (No. 1), Maryland (No. 2), Florida (No. 7), Rutgers (No. 8), Virginia (No. 13), Johns Hopkins (No. 20), Richmond (No. 22) and UConn (No. 24). Two more opponents in Ohio State and Temple received votes in Monday’s poll.

The 2023 season will begin on Feb. 11, with JMU facing off against No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill. James Madison will play its first season in the American Athletic Conference in 2023, with conference action beginning March 18 against Florida.

— JMU Athletics —