SARASOTA, Fla. - NCF Women's Lacrosse has released its 2026 schedule ahead of its second season in school history and first under new head coach Heather Ballew.

"With a compact yet exceptionally talented roster, we are entering our season as a program ready to make a statement," Ballew said. "I have been so impressed with this team's talent, chemistry, and commitment to compete at the highest level each time we step on the field.

Ballew, who joined New College as an assistant coach in October, now assumes leadership of the program from current head coach Tom Flynn. Flynn, the architect of the Mighty Banyans' launch, is stepping down to attend to family matters and will conclude his tenure at New College on Friday, November 28, before relocating to New Jersey to be closer to his family.

"Our upcoming season's schedule challenges us, excites us, and sets the stage for a defining year in our program's growth."

NCF's 2026 slate features seven contests with opponents that either finished ranked or received votes in the final 2025 NAIA Top 10 poll. Those matchups consist of home games against No. 5 Reinhardt (Feb. 14), No. 7 Life (April 18), No. 3 Keiser (April 21), RV Warner (April 23) and road games at No. 4 SCAD Savannah (April 11), RV St. Thomas (April 4) and RV Ave Maria (April 25).

The Mighty Banyans will open its 2026 season at home against Columbia College (S.C.) on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. EST.

All 11 of NCF's home games will be played at the NCF Bayfront field.

For the complete 2026 New College of Florida Women's Lacrosse schedule and season updates, visit GoMightyBanyans.com and follow @NCFBanyans and @NCFBanyansWLAX on Instagram and 'X' formally known as Twitter.