UNC Women’s Lacrosse 2026-27
- Thread starter airball
- Start date
Two of IL’s 5-star rated players committed today. In addition to Gabby Ray’s commitment to UNC, #20 ranked Grace Marquardt from Skaneateles NY committed to Notre Dame.
There are six uncommitted 5-stars from the class of 2028.
Nine of IL’s top 50 remains uncommitted (3 of the remaining top 50 are graded as 4-stars In addition to six uncommitted 5-stars.)
There are six uncommitted 5-stars from the class of 2028.
Nine of IL’s top 50 remains uncommitted (3 of the remaining top 50 are graded as 4-stars In addition to six uncommitted 5-stars.)
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IL #3, 2028. Big midfielder.
Welcome to the family Delaney. Go Heels!
Delaney McCrone, a 5-star recruit ranked #3 in the 2028 class, is a 5’11” midfielder who plays for Ridgewood (NJ) and STEPS club team. Here is write-up by BIC:
”You can envision McCrone playing in some big time games at the next level. Not only does she look the part of a college midfielder, she plays like it. Tall and rangy, McCrone effortlessly covers ground on the field as she was usually he first one down the field on offense and the first one back on defense. She turns the corner very well off the dodge, knifing to the cage to create the best shot for herself. She was dominant in her BIC outing.”
She is UNC’s 6th commitment and the third top-10 player that has committed to UNC. Welcome, Delaney.
”You can envision McCrone playing in some big time games at the next level. Not only does she look the part of a college midfielder, she plays like it. Tall and rangy, McCrone effortlessly covers ground on the field as she was usually he first one down the field on offense and the first one back on defense. She turns the corner very well off the dodge, knifing to the cage to create the best shot for herself. She was dominant in her BIC outing.”
She is UNC’s 6th commitment and the third top-10 player that has committed to UNC. Welcome, Delaney.
UNC’s seventh recruit is Ryann Murphy, a 5-star midfielder ranked #5 in the 2028 class by IL-Women. She plays for Christian Brothers (NY) and Monster Elite 2028 Purple. Here is write-up from IL:
“Murphy is the all around midfielder. Speed, stickwork, consistent and aggressive. Offensively she is fearless to cage, protecting her stick and finding the back of the cage. Defensively her footwork dominates the 1v1. She pushes the ball well in transition and is a reliable source for her teammates.”
Welcome, Ryann.
[This gives UNC commitments from 4 of the top 7 in the 2028 class per IL]
“Murphy is the all around midfielder. Speed, stickwork, consistent and aggressive. Offensively she is fearless to cage, protecting her stick and finding the back of the cage. Defensively her footwork dominates the 1v1. She pushes the ball well in transition and is a reliable source for her teammates.”
Welcome, Ryann.
[This gives UNC commitments from 4 of the top 7 in the 2028 class per IL]
Another stellar recruiting class. UNC WLax is on a tear.
Sorry - missed that was already posted.
That leaves just 3 5-stars left, #2 Carcaterra, #4 Dimnaku, and #14 Holden (a goalie).
Dimnaku is a 2-sport star in both soccer and lacrosse. I see her listing soccer for recruiting, so she might play just one or both, but it wouldn't shock me if she doesn't commit for wlax. I don't know if those 2 sports gives us an advantage or not, but we have a good sized class regardless.
Carcaterra would be just a 5-star cherry on top of a class of 5-stars.
That leaves just 3 5-stars left, #2 Carcaterra, #4 Dimnaku, and #14 Holden (a goalie).
Dimnaku is a 2-sport star in both soccer and lacrosse. I see her listing soccer for recruiting, so she might play just one or both, but it wouldn't shock me if she doesn't commit for wlax. I don't know if those 2 sports gives us an advantage or not, but we have a good sized class regardless.
Carcaterra would be just a 5-star cherry on top of a class of 5-stars.
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I love this video. Payton is very knowledgeable and the host asked excellent questions. We got to know Payton more by her willingness to come on the podcast. Go Heels!
Zheel, later yesterday G Murphy Holden committed to Clemson, which leaves only two of IL’s 5-stars uncommitted — A Peyla Carcaterra and M Ashley Dimnaku.
Surprisingly, IL-Women reports (presumably accurately) that Florida and Boston College each have only two commitments - with one 5-star recruit each. However, there is speculation that BC will land Peyla Carcaterra.
FWIW, Here is how IL ranks the recruiting classes (5-star, 4-star):
UNC 6 - 1
Mayland 4 - 2
Clemson 3 - 3
Stanford 3 - 1
Currently, the only other school with more than one 5-star is Notre Dame - both of its two commits are rated 5-stars. Of course, these are preliminary class rankings; the final ranking will be issued as the 2028 class enters college. Regardless of any ranking, I think we can rest assured that the Heels attracted a quality class.
Go Heels!
Surprisingly, IL-Women reports (presumably accurately) that Florida and Boston College each have only two commitments - with one 5-star recruit each. However, there is speculation that BC will land Peyla Carcaterra.
FWIW, Here is how IL ranks the recruiting classes (5-star, 4-star):
UNC 6 - 1
Mayland 4 - 2
Clemson 3 - 3
Stanford 3 - 1
Currently, the only other school with more than one 5-star is Notre Dame - both of its two commits are rated 5-stars. Of course, these are preliminary class rankings; the final ranking will be issued as the 2028 class enters college. Regardless of any ranking, I think we can rest assured that the Heels attracted a quality class.
Go Heels!
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One of the interesting aspects of the Payton Magday interview is her discussion of the nuances of lacrosse that she was exposed to by UNC’s staff — on both offense and defense. She indicated that it is easier to understand subtle offensive off-ball movements from the sidelines; on the field, it’s more difficult because of a tendency to ball watch (which I am guilty of as a spectator).
I enjoyed her interview and was impressed by Payton.
I enjoyed her interview and was impressed by Payton.
We have a history of soccer/lacrosse stars with Maggie Bill and Julia Dorsey
Yep, saw Holden to Clemson this morning. Clemson has recruited very well since starting their program. Frankly the ACC has done well with the 28s.
Maryland has done well this year as well. They started very hot cooled off a bit. Their tally of 7 recruits (per IL) isn't currently rated as high as ours.
BC stands out among the elite with just 2 commits, so wouldn't shock me if Carcaterra finds a home there as she's listed as an attacker and they've landed none. Northwestern has 7 listed commits but landed no 5-stars, however 5 are 4-star so they are not materially off the pace of others. Obviously any top tier team with roster gaps winds up being in a potentially stronger position for the best girls in the portal.
It will be interesting to see how the teams handle recruiting/roster caps/portal decision going forward.
Reminiscent of the classes Anson Dorrance routinely attracted to UNC women’s soccer during that program’s heyday.
That is good then. This will be a good tune up for the freshmen and sophomores. I hope the coaching staff are thinking the way that I am. I would have the assistant coaches at least two coach them. I would mainly play all of the freshman that came in and the sophomores who did not play at all or very little last year to see what they can do. I would rest and not play none of the starters or transfers. Go Heels!
Anybody going today to watch the games on 9/26 will be assured of a good seat
Sad to report from Finley Fields that we appear to have less depth than I had anticipated.
I disagree airball. We had the number 1 recruiting class the year before and we are brining in the number 2 rank class this year. There were a couple of players that got hurt which should be ready to play this coming season as sophomores this year. These players are Tess Calabria, Payton Magday, Emma Connerty, Sophie Stoltz, Grace Winkler, then we have the three transfers that are really good. Notice I did not mention Reese King, Charlotte Rathjen, Mairyn Dwyer who are sopohomores. These three along with Patyon Magday played some pretty good minutes last year as freshman. I expect some of them to be starting this season. Notice, I have not mentioned any of the freshman that are coming in as part of the number 2 ranked recruiting class that are highly ranked. These student athletes will become the depth for this team this coming season along with some of the ones I just mentioned above. Here is the 2026 class recruits that we be on our team this year along with the recruit rankings which will become depth pieces as well. https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiting/w/2026/rankings
Here is the final class rankings for the 2026 class.
As you can see these players along with some of the ones mentioned above will be our depth pieces. To have highly talented ranked players coming off of the bench is a luxury to have. I hope this information helps you airball.
Ellie Traggio is back from missing a year as well right? And don't forget to include Hurleman in the sophomores that could add depth- if I am not mistaken she started at times last year?
What was happening at Finley. I didn't think they start playing competition until next week?
Hurleman started 6 games early, but then played only 12 games total. Traggio is one of the players depicted on the announcement of the Fall Ball schedule.
I don't know but they will be ready when the season starts. Maybe Jenny and staff wants to rest them or not play them right know. You will have to ask someone that is close to the program to get that answer. Like I said, since these games do not count, if it were me, I would play the freshmen that just came in along with a few sophomores that did not play at all last year, or that got hurt last year just to get the use to playing in a game time situation.
I provided misinformation, above, about fall ball games on Finley Fields yesterday. In fact, those games aren’t until next weekend. Thus, in an attempt at humor, I noted that UNC’s depth wasn’t at Finley yesterday … because there weren’t any players at Finley yesterday, thus no depth.
Sorry for the confusion.
Sorry for the confusion.
No problem. At lease you are keeping us informed of what is going on and what is happening. I would like to thank you for doing that. Keep doing what you are doing. Thanks for doing that for us readers and posters. Go Heels!
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