TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stetson women's lacrosse opened the 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, falling 14-4 to Florida State in the Seminoles' inaugural program game at the Seminole Lacrosse Complex.

Florida State scored twice early, but the Hatters answered midway through the first quarter when Charlotte Castiglione converted a free-position shot to put Stetson on the board. After the Seminoles extended their lead, Lexi Bird responded late in the opening period, scoring her first goal of the season to make it a 4-2 game heading into the second quarter.

FSU opened the second with a free-position goal, but Stetson continued to battle, as Emma Arrigo finished a feed from Bird to cut the deficit to 5-3. Despite strong defensive stands and multiple scoring opportunities, Florida State closed the half with a pair of goals to take a 7-3 advantage into the break.

The Seminoles built momentum with a scoring run in the third quarter, but Stetson stayed resilient. Kathleen Nichols capitalized on a free-position opportunity with 44 seconds remaining in the period to give the Hatters their fourth goal of the afternoon.

Florida State added two more scores in the final quarter to seal the contest, but Stetson continued to compete defensively, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities down the stretch.

Bird led the Hatters offensively with a goal and an assist, while Castiglione, Arrigo, and Nichols also found the back of the net. In goal, Maddie Eckert made 12 saves over nearly 50 minutes of action, while Harper Hodgett added a save in relief. As a team, Stetson recorded 13 total saves and successfully cleared 10 of 12 attempts.

The Hatters will return home and host USF in the home opener on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m.

*Stats Unofficial

About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.