By Bulldog Beat Staff
The Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) women’s lacrosse team have made a major turnaround in 2026, currently winners of six straight heading into conference play, Wednesday.
The Lady Bulldogs have started the season 8-2, following a 6-10 record in 2025. The experience-loaded roster boasts eight seniors, helping build a new culture with second-year head coach Lorna Schoemehl.
“We’ve been able to communicate and figure out our weaknesses in games and make those changes pretty fast,” senior goalkeeper Rylee Brendlinger said.
Two of those seniors, Brendlinger (defense) and Kylie Heinrich (offense), recently received Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) weekly honors. The award was Brendlinger’s second of the season, joined earlier year by Aava Downey, who earned offensive Player of the Week honors. Heinrich currently sits second in the conference in points with 48.
“Working together as a unit has helped us eliminate unnecessary mistakes and focus on the task at hand,” added Brendlinger.
During their six-game win streak, the Lady Bulldogs are averaging 16 goals, outscoring their opponents 96-42, and for the season are making 54% of their shots.
“(The six-game win streak) has helped us a lot with our confidence,” said senior attacker Kate Buchanan. “We’ve never won this many games before this year so it just proves we can actually work together and do great things.”
TWU heads into conference play facing No.6 Reinhardt University, hoping to carry their momentum into their first of two top-10 matchups over the next two weeks.
The preseason coaches’ poll predicted TWU to finish No.4, behind NAIA No.2 Cumberlands (Ky.) and No.6 Reinhardt.
“We all really want to win and want this year to be our year,” said senior midfielder Jozlyn Long. “I think we just need to finish strong. A lot of people underestimated us and that has been motivating.”
Story by Sports Broadcasting & Production Class
Interview by Roni Bailey
Photos by Daveion Smith