The St. Lawrence University women's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season this weekend with a new look, and a new leader.

"We are all very excited for the new chapter to begin this weekend and to get the new season started after a good pre-season," said Chris Downs, who steps into the women's basketball program's head coaching role after guiding St. Lawrence's men's squad since 1997-98.

"The team has worked hard, made adjustments, and have adapted to the way I coach," Downs continued. "They have helped me grow as person and coach this fall, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to coach them over the course of a full season."

Norah Niesz comes back after scoring 16 points in last season's playoff win over Vassar and earning a spot on the CSC Academic All-District team. Elizabeth Flynn, who led the Saints in points and rebounds in 2024-25, and guard Annie Perry also return.

Both missed a portion of last season with injuries, as the Saints played shorthanded and still earned a home playoff game as the fourth seed in the Liberty League tournament. St. Lawrence finished 17-10 overall and 11-7 in Liberty League play. The Saints then beat Vassar 63-53 in the first round for the program's first postseason victory since 2022.

"We have established the same set of goals as a team and are playing as a unit as we enter the season. We're pumped to see where those goals take us," said Downs. "We hope to play a tough, hard-nosed brand of basketball that everyone can rally around and support."

Downs welcomes three first-year players to the roster in Nico Cuba, Elizabeth Woytowicz and Mia Tartaglia. The group also leaves four graduating players, including Mason Baker-Schlendering, Margaret Dougher, Jackie Malley, and Hannah Van Dyke.

Downs took over as head coach in July 2026 after completing his 29th season leading the St. Lawrence men's basketball program. He was the longest-tenured head coach in the Liberty League when he left that role. Downs is the university's all-time winningest coach with more than 400 career victories.

St. Lawrence begins the season with two matchups at the Smith College tournament, first playing the University of Hartford at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The games will be available for a fee on FloSports.