Klaes Adds Transfers Bickell and Gordon for 2026 Season

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Head Coach Shelley Klaes announced the signing of transfers Avery Bickell and Grace Gordon to aid agreements, and the two will join the lacrosse program this fall ahead of the 2026 season.

Both student-athletes enter JMU with three seasons of eligibility remaining, as Bickell spent two at Maryland, redshirting one, and Gordon spent a season at George Washington.

Avery Bickell | 5-7 | Midfielder | Narberth, PA | Maryland

Transfers to JMU after two seasons at Maryland (2024-25)
Redshirted 2025 season and played in three games as a true freshman in 2024
Recorded one draw control as a true freshman
Helped Maryland to 2024 quarterfinal appearance and 2025 second round berth
Two-time First Team All-Central League and All-Main Line at Lower Merion
Recorded 171 goals, 43 assists and 231 draw controls in her three seasons at Lower Merion
Also played for Dynasty Elite Lacrosse Club

KLAES ON BICKELL: "Join us in welcoming Avery Bickell, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Maryland. Avery is an offensive middie, adding depth, speed, grit, dodging and finishing and will make an immediate impact on her program. Her coaches and teammates note she is hardworking and has a team-first approach to preparation. A two-time MVP for her high school team, she led Lower Merion to its best finish and brought that same leadership to her Dynasty club team."

Grace Gordon | 5-7 | Defender | Radnor, PA | George Washington

Transfers to JMU after one season at George Washington (2025)
Started all 17 games at defense for the Revolutionaries
Had 57 draw controls, 14 caused turnovers and 35 ground balls while also tallying one assist
Ranked 11th in the Atlantic 10 in draws per game and eighth in grounds balls per outing
Season highs of four caused turnovers, five ground balls and nine draw controls
Second Team All-Central League and All-Main Line and First Team All-Delco while leading Radnor to 2024 state championship game
Played club lacrosse for Phantastix Purple

KLAES ON GORDON: "Join us in welcoming Grace Gordon, a sophomore transfer from GW. Grace was an impact defender who added to the circle play. She led her high school team to championships while at Radnor. She is known to be a great teammate, having always competed with Chloe Bleckley on the Phantastix Club team, which ranked #35 nationally. Grace has that JMU grit with something to prove!"

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Players Mentioned

Chloe Bleckley

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