TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida’s women’s lacrosse team is making waves on the national stage as two of its standout players, Sofia Chepenik and Kaitlyn Tartaglione, were named USA Lacrosse All-America Honorable Mentions this Thursday.
The recognition came as part of the 2026 NCAA Division I All-America Teams announcement, a list curated by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff with input from coaches and conferences nationwide.
Chepenik, a redshirt junior attacker hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, solidified her reputation as an offensive powerhouse this season. She topped the Bulls’ stat sheet with 51 goals and 18 assists, totaling 69 points across 17 games.
Her efficiency was a major factor for the team, as she maintained a 40.8 percent shooting average. One of the highlights of her season included a seven-point performance against Charlotte on April 11, which tied a program record. These efforts earned her First-Team All-Conference honors, the Conference Attacker of the Year title, and a spot on the All-Tournament team.
On the other side of the ball, redshirt senior midfielder Kaitlyn Tartaglione provided the essential two-way play that defined the Bulls’ season. The Bernardsville, New Jersey, native was a constant presence in all 17 starts, recording 23 goals and 26 total points.
READ: History In The Making: USF Women’s Lacrosse One Win Away From National Milestone
Beyond scoring, she led the team with 16 caused turnovers and secured 29 draw controls. Her balanced performance on both ends of the field led to her being named the Conference Midfielder of the Year and a First-Team All-Conference selection.
The duo represents a South Florida program that saw its attack average nearly 14 goals per game this year. In total, 102 players from 36 different Division I programs were recognized in the 2026 honors list, putting the USF pair in elite company among the nation’s top collegiate talent.
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