SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Head coach Eileen Ferry, Riley O'Mara '26 and Mimi Painting '30 will all represent the Bryant women's lacrosse team at the Nissin Foods 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship in Tokyo this July.

Ferry will serve as the head coach of Team Ireland, while O'Mara and Painting will compete in the tournament that features 16 countries broken into four pools. The world championships will take place from July 24-August 2 in Tokyo.

"I'm so honored to be able to represent Ireland at the highest stage of women's lacrosse," Ferry said. "Within Ireland, the sport has grown from grassroots to international contenders all while being led by volunteers and coaches who believe in the impact lacrosse can have on people.  Every time I'm on the field with Ireland I am reminded of the power of sport and how it can bring people from across the world together."

A native of Silver Spring, Md., Ferry just completed her third season as the head coach of the Bulldogs and has posted a 30-20 record. The Black and Gold have claimed back-to-back America East Regular Season Championships, going a combined 13-5 in three years of America East play. Bryant has also featured a major award winner in each of Ferry's three seasons as Kenna Kaut was the 2024 America East Offensive Player of the Year and Kaelynn O'Brien and Jessica Tosone have won the last two America East Defender of the Year awards.

Ferry has been a key part of Ireland's lacrosse program since 2017, spending time as the head coach of the U19 and U20 team's and a stint as an assistant with the Senior Women's National Team.

O'Mara and Painting will give Ferry a pair of familar faces when the team meets for training camp on July 16 in Smithfield. O'Mara just completed an incredible four-year career at Bryant, graduating in May with 102 points in 61 career games. She was a two-time All-America East selection, earning first team honors this spring after posting a career-high 34 goals and 38 points.

"Riley O'Mara is one of those 'once in a career' players that does it all," Ferry said. "What she does is great, but how she does it is even more impressive. I'm so lucky to be able to share a field with her again and to watch her play at the highest level."

Painting is an incoming Bryant freshman this fall but has played for Ferry previously, making an appearance on the U20 team in 2022 in Prague and 2024 in Hong Kong. The London, England, native, completed her prep career at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. 

"I first met Mimi in 2022 when she was on my U20 Ireland team competing in Prague," Ferry said. "Her energy and work ethic stuck out to me right away, leading me to recruit her to Bryant.  Fast forward a few years later, and we're back on the field again representing Ireland. She showcases what it means to be a teammate and how work away from practice can help you achieve your dreams."

For more information on the 2026 World Championships, click here.