Key Takeaways
- Middlebury is the top-ranked team despite graduating a large senior class, having won four consecutive championships and five of the past six.
- Tufts, Salisbury, Gettysburg, and Franklin & Marshall round out the top five teams, with each having strong returning players and experienced defenses.
- Other notable teams include Colby, William Smith, Wesleyan, Stevens, and St. John Fisher, which all have talented players and promising young squads.
- The 2026 season is expected to be highly competitive, with many teams having a good chance of making a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Introduction to the Rankings
The 2026 lacrosse season is just around the corner, and the top teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and competitive year. With many talented players returning and new coaches taking the helm, there are plenty of storylines to watch. Middlebury, the defending champion, is looking to continue its dominance, but other teams like Tufts, Salisbury, and Gettysburg are hot on their heels.
Top Teams and Their Strengths
Middlebury, despite graduating a large senior class, is still the team to beat. The Panthers have won four consecutive championships and five of the past six, and they have a strong program that consistently produces talented players. Tufts, on the other hand, will be led by Allie Zorn, one of the best scorers in the nation, and returns three starters from last year’s team. Salisbury, which fell just short of the national semifinals last year, returns several key players, including two IWLCA All-Americans, and has a stingy defense. Gettysburg, led by Julia Daly, who has been a 60-goal scorer each year of her career, and Michaela Kelly and Sarah Scollin, should continue to provide plenty of offense.
Notable Teams and Players
Other notable teams include Franklin & Marshall, which has a strong defense led by Bell Dintino, a three-time second-team USA Lacrosse All-American selection, and Colby, which has several attackers who could make an impact in expanded roles. William Smith, which may be without midfielder Natalie Daniels due to injury, still has a strong offense and a formidable defensive pair in Janey Sypeck and Lily Kuhn. Wesleyan, which snapped Middlebury’s 67-game winning streak last year, has been consistently strong in recent years and should be a contender again.
Coaching Changes and Young Teams
There are also several teams with coaching changes, including St. John Fisher, which will be led by new coach Marykate Edmunds, and Denison, which will be looking to build on its impressive run to the NCAA quarterfinals last year. Other teams, like MIT, York, and Babson, have young players who contributed last year and will be counted on to have increased roles in 2026. Pomona-Pitzer, which has a strong returning core, will be looking to make a fifth-straight trip to the NCAA tournament round of 16.
Teams on the Rise
Teams like Springfield, which enjoyed a nine-game winning streak in the middle of the season, and Trinity, which graduated a small senior class and has many opportunities for underclassmen to contribute, could be teams to watch in 2026. Amherst, which brings back two first-team All-NESCAC selections and a 40-goal scorer, and Stevens, which has a dominant defense and a high-scoring offense, could also make some noise in the NCAA tournament.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2026 lacrosse season is shaping up to be an exciting and competitive year, with many talented teams and players vying for a spot in the NCAA tournament. With coaching changes, young teams, and experienced defenses, there are plenty of storylines to watch. Middlebury may be the team to beat, but other teams like Tufts, Salisbury, and Gettysburg are hot on their heels, and it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top.
