University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Women’s Lacrosse Picked First In ACC Coaches Poll, Four Named Preseason All-ACC
February 3, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina women's lacrosse claimed the top spot in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll and four Tar Heels were named to the Preseason All-ACC team, the league announced on Tuesday. Sam Forrest, Chloe Humphrey, Eliza Osburn and Brooklyn Walker-Welch all claimed spots on the conference's preseason team.
Forrest finished off 2025 widely considered the top defender in the nation. She took home the IWLCA Defender of the Year award and was a Tewaaraton Award Top 25 nominee. The first-team All-American and All-ACC performer was also voted to the NCAA All-Tournament team and went on to make moves at the international level, recently being named to the 2026 World Championship roster.
Humphrey saw her profile soar during the 2025 season. Her stellar freshman season culminated in the Honda Sports Award for Lacrosse and UNC's first-ever Tewaaraton Award. She was the IWLCA's Player and Attacker of the Year to go along with first-team All-America and All-ACC honors. She also spent the summer winning tournaments and accolades with USA Lacrosse and is a member of USA Lacrosse's 2026 World Championship roster.
Osburn posted 35 goals, eight assists, 56 draw controls and 16 groundballs, while emerging as one of the game's dynamic forces in the midfield. She claimed ACC Freshman of the Year honors and was a member of both the NCAA and ACC All-Tournament teams. Osburn was also recently named to the U.S. World Championship roster.
Walker-Welch is widely considered one of the top defenders, not only in the nation, but in the world. She is a three-time All-American and has been part of two National Championship teams. Last season, she claimed first-team All-America honors and was a Tewaaraton Award Top 25 Nominee. A native of Canada, Walker-Welch is a regular on their national team and made the All-World team for here performance at the World Games, helping Canada to a silver medal.
The Heels open their season on Saturday, Feb. 7 at James Madison. They'll play on the road at Syracuse on Feb. 13 before playing the home opener versus Ohio St. on Friday, Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Forrest finished off 2025 widely considered the top defender in the nation. She took home the IWLCA Defender of the Year award and was a Tewaaraton Award Top 25 nominee. The first-team All-American and All-ACC performer was also voted to the NCAA All-Tournament team and went on to make moves at the international level, recently being named to the 2026 World Championship roster.
Humphrey saw her profile soar during the 2025 season. Her stellar freshman season culminated in the Honda Sports Award for Lacrosse and UNC's first-ever Tewaaraton Award. She was the IWLCA's Player and Attacker of the Year to go along with first-team All-America and All-ACC honors. She also spent the summer winning tournaments and accolades with USA Lacrosse and is a member of USA Lacrosse's 2026 World Championship roster.
Osburn posted 35 goals, eight assists, 56 draw controls and 16 groundballs, while emerging as one of the game's dynamic forces in the midfield. She claimed ACC Freshman of the Year honors and was a member of both the NCAA and ACC All-Tournament teams. Osburn was also recently named to the U.S. World Championship roster.
Walker-Welch is widely considered one of the top defenders, not only in the nation, but in the world. She is a three-time All-American and has been part of two National Championship teams. Last season, she claimed first-team All-America honors and was a Tewaaraton Award Top 25 Nominee. A native of Canada, Walker-Welch is a regular on their national team and made the All-World team for here performance at the World Games, helping Canada to a silver medal.
The Heels open their season on Saturday, Feb. 7 at James Madison. They'll play on the road at Syracuse on Feb. 13 before playing the home opener versus Ohio St. on Friday, Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Lacrosse
Attacker
/ Women's Lacrosse
Midfielder
/ Women's Lacrosse
Defender
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