NEW HAVEN, Conn. (January 29, 2026) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference men’s lacrosse coaches have selected Georgian Court University to finish in first place in the 2026 standings. The results of this year’s CACC Preseason Men’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Poll were announced today by Commissioner Dan Mara.
Georgian Court was chosen for the top spot by a one-point margin over Wilmington University. In 2025, Wilmington (11-5, 8-0 CACC) won the CACC regular-season title before GCU (12-7, 7-1) topped the Wildcats, 9-8, in the championship final of the conference tournament. Both teams qualified for the NCAA Division II Championship tournament.
The Lions received five first-place votes in the poll and 61 total points. Wilmington collected the other four first-place votes and 60 points. Chestnut Hill College was picked to finish third with 43 points, followed by the University of Bridgeport in fourth with 39 points.
Holy Family University and Post University tied for the No. 5 slot, each receiving 36 points. Rounding out the coaches’ choices were Dominican University New York (7th, 24 points), Felician University (8th, 16), and Caldwell University (9th, 9).
The regular season begins on February 7, when Holy Family travels to American International College. All league teams are scheduled to open their campaigns by February 22, with Wilmington and Caldwell beginning conference play on Wednesday, February 25.
At season’s end, the top five teams in the standings will reach the CACC Championship tournament. The No.5 seed will travel to the No. 4 seed in opening-round action on Saturday, April 25. The semifinals will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at campus sites, and Wilmington will host the championship final on Saturday, May 2, at its athletics complex in Newark, Del. The CACC champion will automatically qualify for the 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
2026 CACC MEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON COACHES POLL
(First-place votes in parentheses)
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Georgian Court University (5) |
61 |
| 2. |
Wilmington University (4) |
60 |
| 3. |
Chestnut Hill College |
43 |
| 4. |
University of Bridgeport |
39 |
| 5. |
Holy Family University |
36 |
|
Post University |
36 |
| 7. |
Dominican University New York |
24 |
| 8. |
Felician University |
16 |
| 9. |
Caldwell University |
9 |
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.