As the 2027 women’s season gets closer, DeeThreeLax continues its look at some of the top returning players across the country. After highlighting the offensive side of the field, it’s time to turn our attention to the defenders. Defense can sometimes get overlooked when looking strictly at the stat sheet, but the players on this list made their presence felt throughout the 2026 season. Whether it was creating turnovers, winning ground balls, disrupting opposing offenses or helping anchor the back end, these defenders put together impressive seasons and will be names to watch heading into 2027.

Here are some of the top returning defenders in women’s DeeThreelax for the 2027 season.

Janey Sypeck – William Smith

46 Caused Turnovers & 43 Ground Balls

Janey Sypeck was a consistent playmaker on the defensive end for William Smith, finishing the season with 46 caused turnovers and 43 ground balls. Her ability to create possessions and make plays off the ground gives William Smith an experienced presence on the defensive end heading into 2027.

Abby Williams – TCNJ

64 Caused Turnovers & 57 Ground Balls

Abby Williams put together one of the stronger statistical seasons among returning defenders, recording 64 caused turnovers and 57 ground balls for TCNJ. With more than 60 takeaways on the season, Williams consistently found ways to disrupt opposing offenses and turn defense into possession.

Finley Jordan – Haverford

45 Caused Turnovers & 46 Ground Balls

Finley Jordan was productive across the board for Haverford, finishing with 45 caused turnovers and 46 ground balls. Nearly matching her takeaway and ground-ball totals, Jordan showed an ability to impact possessions in multiple ways and should once again be an important piece of the Haverford defense.

Dagny Tombaugh – Washington and Lee

27 Caused Turnovers & 46 Ground Balls

Dagny Tombaugh returns for Washington and Lee after collecting 46 ground balls and forcing 27 turnovers. Her ability to win loose balls and help create additional possessions will make her another defender to keep an eye on in 2027.

Kelly Bunnick – Catholic

25 Caused Turnovers  & 31 Ground Balls

Kelly Bunnick returns to Catholic after totaling 25 caused turnovers and 31 ground balls. She gives the Cardinals another experienced defensive presence heading into the new season.

Ella Campbell – Coast Guard

32 Caused Turnovers & 26 Ground Balls

Ella Campbell caused 32 turnovers while adding 26 ground balls for Coast Guard in 2026. Her ability to pressure opposing offenses and generate takeaways makes her one of the returning defensive players to watch in 2027.

Jordan Kauftheil – Amherst

27 Caused Turnovers & 46 Ground Balls

Jordan Kauftheil was particularly productive in the ground-ball game for Amherst, collecting 46 while adding 27 caused turnovers. She returns as an experienced piece of an Amherst defense that will look to make its presence felt again in 2027.

Gisele Uva – Colby

25 Caused Turnovers & 30 Ground Balls

Gisele Uva returns to Colby after registering 25 caused turnovers and 30 ground balls. Her ability to generate turnovers and help finish defensive possessions gives the Mules another proven option on the back end.

Gabri Hallam – Grove City

86 Caused Turnovers & 86 Ground Balls

Few returning defenders produced numbers like Gabri Hallam in 2026. The Grove City defender finished with an eye-catching 86 caused turnovers and 86 ground balls, leading this group in both categories. Her ability to consistently create turnovers and come away with possession makes her one of the most statistically productive returning defenders to watch in DeeThreeLax.

Alexis Crossman – Russell Sage

39 Caused Turnovers & 58 Ground Balls

Alexis Crossman put together a strong 2026 campaign with 39 caused turnovers and 58 ground balls. Her ground-ball production particularly stands out, and she returns as a key defensive presence for Russell Sage heading into 2027.

Sarah Brown – Aurora

66 Caused Turnovers &  79 Ground Balls

Sarah Brown was all over the field defensively for Aurora, finishing the season with 66 caused turnovers and 79 ground balls. Those numbers put her among the most productive players on this list in both categories and make her a name worth following when the 2027 season begins.

Naomi Black – Concordia Wisconsin

40 Caused Turnovers & 44 Ground Balls

Naomi Black returns after producing 40 caused turnovers and 44 ground balls for Concordia Wisconsin. With strong numbers in both categories, Black showed an ability to create turnovers and secure possession throughout the 2026 season.

Kate Whitley – SUNY Canton

37 Caused Turnovers & 58 Ground Balls

Kate Whitley collected 58 ground balls while causing 37 turnovers for SUNY Canton. Her ability to consistently win possession on the defensive end makes her another returning player to have on the radar in 2027.

Amy Whitman – SUNY New Paltz

51 Caused Turnovers & 53 Ground Balls

Amy Whitman rounds out the group after an impressive season for SUNY New Paltz. Whitman finished with 51 caused turnovers and 53 ground balls, surpassing 50 in both categories and establishing herself as one of the more productive returning defenders in DeeThreeLax.

• Janey Sypeck – William Smith – 46 Caused Turnovers & 43 Ground Balls
• Abby Williams – TCNJ – 64 Caused Turnovers & 57 Ground Balls
• Finley Jordan – Haverford – 45 Caused Turnovers & 46 Ground Balls
• Dagny Tombaugh – Washington and Lee – 27 Caused Turnovers & 46 Ground Balls
• Kelly Bunnick – Catholic – 25 Caused Turnovers  & 31 Ground Balls
• Ella Campbell – Coast Guard – 32 Caused Turnovers & 26 Ground Balls
• Jordan Kauftheil – Amherst – 27 Caused Turnovers & 46 Ground Balls
• Gisele Uva – Colby – 25 Caused Turnovers & 30 Ground Balls
• Gabri Hallam – Grove City – 86 Caused Turnovers & 86 Ground Balls
• Alexis Crossman – Russell Sage – 39 Caused Turnovers & 58 Ground Balls
• Sarah Brown – Aurora – 66 Caused Turnovers &  79 Ground Balls
• Naomi Black – Concordia Wisconsin – 40 Caused Turnovers & 44 Ground Balls
• Kate Whitley – SUNY Canton – 37 Caused Turnovers & 58 Ground Balls
• Amy Whitman – SUNY New Paltz – 51 Caused Turnovers & 53 Ground Balls