ROSEMONT, IL – Johns Hopkins has been picked to finish in a tie for third in the Big Ten in a preseason vote of the league's head coaches. In addition, Ashley Mackin, Ava Angello and Reagan O'Brien were named Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch. Three players from each of the league's nine teams were named to the watch list.
 
Defending champion Northwestern is the unanimous preseason favorite to win the Big Ten in 2025. Michigan was picked second in the poll, with Hopkins and Maryland tied for third, followed by Penn State in fifth. USC, Ohio State, Rutgers and Oregon round out the poll.
 
Mackin was named to both the USA Lacrosse and Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America teams. She finished second on the team in goals (48) and points (66) and was tied for third in assists (18) last season. She had 11 hat tricks in 19 games and notched at least one point in 18 of 19 games in 2024.
 
A Second Team All-Big Ten selection last year, Angello was also named to the USA Lacrosse Preseason All-America team. She led the team with 53 goals and 68 points while also handing out 15 assists. She had 15 hat tricks last season and enters the season riding a 19-game goal-scoring streak.
 
O'Brien is coming off a world championship with the United States U20 Team this summer. She played in all 20 games and started 19 in 2024 as defensive midfielder. She ranked second on the team in caused turnovers (38) and fourth in ground balls (35).
 
The top seven teams will make the Big Ten Tournament with the top team in the final league standings earning a bye into the semifinals. The teams that finish second through seventh will play quarterfinal games on Wednesday, April 23. The semifinals are set for Friday, April 25 with the championship game scheduled for Sunday, April 27. Maryland will host all three rounds of the tournament.
 
Hopkins is ranked 11^th in the KANE Inside Lacrosse Media Poll and seventh in the USA Lacrosse Magazine Polls. JHU will take on Florida, ranked in the top 10 in both polls, in the season opener on Friday at Homewood Field.
 
2025 Big Ten Preseason Poll
1.     Northwestern
2.     Michigan
3T.   Johns Hopkins
        Maryland
5.     Penn State
6.     USC
7.     Ohio State
8.     Rutgers
9.     Oregon