MLAX: Rivier Selected To Repeat In 2026 Preseason Poll
WINTHROP, Mass. – Reigning Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Champion Rivier University looks to repeat this season as they were tabbed the favorites in this season’s Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll, as voted by the league’s 13 head coaches. The Raiders led the way with 157 points and seven first-place votes in a competitive spot at the top with last year’s runner-up Lasell University creeping right up at #2 with 155 points and four first-place votes.
Emmanuel is expected to be in contention for the title as the Saints take the third slot at 147 points and grabbing the final two first-place votes. Meanwhile, the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) will also look to be in contention for the league’s cup as the Blue Jays are in fourth this year with 138 followed by Dean, who is also on their quest to make some noise in May at 106 points.
Saint Joseph’s (Maine) is in the sixth slot this year with 104, followed by Norwich (93) and New England College (85), who round out the seventh and eighth spot while looking to make deep postseason runs.
Regis (63), Albertus Magnus (54), Colby-Sawyer (32), Elms (30), and Mitchell (19) rounded out the final 9-13 spots in the poll this year in order and will look to show grittiness in a competitive group.
The first faceoff of the GNAC Men’s Lacrosse season is Wednesday, Feb. 11 as Regis opens non-conference play against former GNAC foe Anna Maria as conference play opens up two weeks later with Elms facing off against Mitchell on February, 25th. The conference schedule will feature a round-robin format with each team playing each other once in a total of 12 games for each. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will qualify the 2026 GNAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament, which will begin with the GNAC Quarterfinals on Saturday, April 25. The advancing teams will compete in the GNAC Semifinals on Wednesday, April 29 with the hopes of moving onto GNAC Championship on Saturday, May 2. The winner of the GNAC Championship game will be named the conference champion and earn the league’s automatic qualifier into the 2026 NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
MLAX Preseason Poll Results
| 1) | Rivier | 157 (7) |
| 2) | Lasell | 155 (4) |
| 3) | Emmanuel | 147 (2) |
| 4) | University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 138 |
| 5) | Dean | 106 |
| 6) | Saint Joseph's (Maine) | 104 |
| 7) | Norwich | 93 |
| 8) | New England College | 85 |
| 9) | Regis | 63 |
| 10) | Albertus Magnus | 54 |
| 11) | Colby-Sawyer | 32 |
| 12) | Elms | 30 |
| 13) | Mitchell | 17 |
ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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