NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced their 2026 All-Region selections, with UW-River Falls standouts Samantha and Julia Hayek both earning recognition in the West Region.
Samantha Hayek earned a spot on the All-Region First Team at attack, while Julia Hayek was selected to the All-Region Second Team on defense following standout seasons for the Falcons and for both athletes. Samantha's First Team All-Region selection marked the third all-region honor of her career after earning Second Team recognition in both 2024 and 2025. Her selection this season has also made program history as she has become the first student-athlete in UW-River Falls women's lacrosse history to earn First Team All-Region honors.
Samantha Hayek, a senior attack from Scandia, Minnesota, put together one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history. Hayek broke UW-River Falls' all-time records for goals, assists and career points while totaling 111 points on 70 goals and 41 assists during her 2026 campaign. She started and played in all 19 games while leading the WIAC in goals per conference game (3.6) and ranking second in points per conference game (5.4). Hayek paced the conference with 7.0 shots per game and earned First Team All-WIAC honors earlier this postseason.
Julia Hayek, a junior defender from Scandia, Minnesota, anchored one of the top defensive units in the WIAC during her All-Region season. Hayek started and played in all 19 games, finishing with 53 ground balls and a conference-leading 29 caused turnovers while helping the Falcons allow just 7.88 goals per game, the second-lowest mark in the WIAC. She was a recognized as the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors along with First Team All-WIAC recognition following the season.
The Hayek sisters helped guide the Falcons to one of the most successful seasons in program history, as the Falcons finished 15-4 overall, tied the program record for wins in a season, and advanced to the program's first-ever WIAC Championship game.
