The Lasell women’s basketball 2025–26 season has been defined by adjustment, resilience, and growth. With a new voice leading the program, the Lasers have experienced both the highs of a six-game winning streak and the adversity of a midseason slide.
Now, as they prepare for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament, the question surrounding the team is clear: has first-year head coach Matthew Reid successfully guided this group through change and positioned them for postseason success?
The season could not have started any better. Lasell opened at home on Friday, Nov. 7, defeating Wellesley 64–46 in a decisive season opener that immediately set the tone. They followed with a hard-fought 69–65 road victory over Eastern Connecticut State University on Nov. 12 before returning home to defeat Worcester State 68–50 on Nov. 14. The wins kept coming, as the Lasers topped Westfield State 72–61 on Nov. 19, edged Framingham State 64–56 on Nov. 21, and closed out November with a statement 77–65 victory over Suffolk.
At 6–0, the Lasers had matched last season’s early momentum and appeared energized by their new leadership. Junior guard and forward Blaize Mack captured the mood: “The energy is high, good energy throughout the whole team.” Senior captain Shirle Major pointed to chemistry as the difference. “We’re ready for whatever. We’ve been building connections off the court that are starting to show on the court,” she said. Sophomore center Daeserae Williamson emphasized that trust was forming quickly, helping the team remain composed in tight situations.
Much of that early success can be traced to Coach Reid’s approach. In practices leading up to the opener, Reid blended intensity with encouragement. During one drill, he stopped play, urging players to ask questions and understand game scenarios fully. “This whole season I would never ask you guys to do something that I didn’t think you were capable of doing,” he told them.
“I love you guys already. Being in the gym with you, spending time with you.” His accountability, combined with genuine enthusiasm, resonated immediately.
Mack noted the adjustment was noticeable but positive, “Coach is always open, giving clarification and answering questions. His energy never changes,” she said. Major described Reid’s leadership as selfless and team-centered. “Coach is invested in us, and that makes us want to welcome him even more.” For a team transitioning from a previous regime, that buy-in was critical.
However, as conference play intensified, the season tested the Lasers in ways early November did not. A tough stretch in January saw the team drop multiple GNAC contests, including a 68–55 loss to Norwich on Jan. 28. The losing streak exposed defensive lapses and inconsistent scoring that had been masked during the winning run. For a group still adapting to a new system, adversity forced them to confront lingering issues.
Yet timing worked in their favor. A bye week in the heart of the conference schedule provided a reset. When play resumed, Lasell looked refreshed and more cohesive.
Defensive intensity improved, ball movement sharpened, and confidence returned. Williamson observed the difference in mindset: “When we’re down, we come together and don’t bring each other down.” The Lasers began to resemble the team that had opened the season 7–0—only now with the added maturity that comes from weathering setbacks.
That arc from explosive start, to midseason stumble, to late resurgence reflects a team learning to operate under new leadership. Adjusting to a new coach is rarely seamless, but the Lasers’ trajectory suggests that Reid’s message has taken root. Early energy built belief. Adversity built resilience. The combination has positioned Lasell as a competitive threat entering the GNAC tournament.
The postseason begins with a compelling matchup against Norwich, the same team that handed Lasell its 68–55 defeat in late January. The rematch provides both motivation and opportunity. In that earlier contest, the Lasers struggled to contain Norwich’s perimeter shooting and fell behind early. Since then, defensive adjustments and improved communication have addressed those very weaknesses.
If Lasell brings the defensive focus displayed in its late-season rebound and maintains balanced scoring, the Lasers have a strong chance to flip the result. Their ability to respond to pressure, something that improved dramatically after the bi-week, will be crucial.
Within the GNAC bracket, the Lasers are viewed as a competitive middle seed capable of making a semifinal push. While a championship run would require sustained execution against the conference’s top teams, Lasell’s growth suggests they are peaking at the right time. The early seven-game surge proved their ceiling; the midseason slump revealed their vulnerabilities; the late response demonstrated their character.
As the tournament tips off, the broader story of Lasell’s season is not simply wins and losses. It is about transition. It is about players buying into a new system, navigating adversity, and rediscovering their identity.
Whether or not the Lasers ultimately capture a GNAC title, this season has shown that Coach Reid has guided them toward something sustainable: trust, resilience, and belief.
And in March, those qualities often matter just as much as the scoreboard.
–March 2, 2026–
