The Fredonia State women's lacrosse team has placed a program record five student-athletes on the 2026 All-SUNYAC teams.
Leading the way for Fredonia State was Mieley Baran (Second Team - Attack), Katie O'Brien (Second Team - Midfield), Camryn Jacobs (Second Team - Defense) Shaliyah Helmick (Third Team - Defense) and Jessica Kowalski (Third Team - Goalkeeper).
Mieley Baran - Second Team (Attack)
Baran continued to build off of her solid freshmen season which saw her finish with 42-points, breaking out in 2026 with a team-leading 60 points (32 goals, 28 assists). She consistently produced in key moments and developed into one of the SUNYAC's most dangerous offensive threats. Her season included several dominant performances, highlighted by a six-goal effort against Canton and a nine-point outing (4 goals, 5 assists) versus Morrisville.
Head Coach Tori Poffenberger said, "Mieley continues to make her individual game better and better each year, which challenges everyone around her to be their best. She was on fire during SUNYAC play and as a young captain on our team was able to lead our offense statistically and with her communication."
Katie O'Brien - Second Team (Midfield)
O'Brien emerged as one of the SUNYAC's top midfielders in her first collegiate season, totaling 42 goals and 51 points while adding 22 draw controls. She delivered dominant performances throughout the year, including a six-goal outing and eight-point game at Oneonta along with a 10-shot effort against Morrisville.
Poffenberger said, "Katie was a standout midfielder this year and she's only getting started with her career. She worked hard to transform into a midfielder for us this year and it absolutely paid off and turned heads around the SUNYAC."
Camryn Jacobs – Second Team (Defense)
Jacobs anchored Fredonia State's defense with 29 ground balls and a team-best 21 caused turnovers consistently matching up against top offensive threats. She had a season best five caused turnovers at Buffalo State.
Poffenberger said, "Cam elevated our defense this year with her performance on the field and leadership across the board. She finished in the top 10 in the SUNYAC for ground balls and caused turnovers and she was always a player I looked to match up against our opponent's biggest offensive threats."
Shaliyah Helmick - Third Team (Defense)
Helmick made an immediate impact in her freshman campaign, finishing with 28 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers. Helmick has quickly adjusted to the collegiate level and became a reliable defensive presence.
Poffenberger said, "Shay is an absolute athlete with a mentally tough approach to the game. If we needed someone to get the ball up the field in the clear or match up against the other team's biggest driving threat, she was one of the first players that came to mind."
Jessica Kowalski - Third Team (Goalkeeper)
Despite being limted with injuries earlier on in her career, she Kowalski delievered a strong senior campaign for the Devils, starting17 games, recording 137 saves and eight wins.
Poffenberger said, "Jess is the comeback player of the year for our team. While she struggled early in her career with injuries, she worked hard this year to earn her minutes in the cage and absolutely made the most of them with top performances against the best teams in the conference. She's resilient in the net and a player that is always going to back up her team on and off the field."
As a team Fredonia State finished the season 9-9 overall and 5-4 in SUNYAC play.
