MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – With seven first-place votes, defending NEWMAC champions Babson College has been voted to defend its title in the 2026 NEWMAC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll. Led by head coach Rocky Batty, the Beavers are looking for their fourth straight NEWMAC title as they return a trio of all-conference performers in attackman Seamus Rooney, face-off specialist Will Reading, and midfielder Bennett Smith from a team that went 14-6 and claimed its third straight NEWMAC championship before advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last spring.
 
Springfield College claims second place in the poll and nabbed the remaining first-place vote. Veteran coach Sean Quirk steps into the head coaching role at his alma mater. NEWMAC Athlete of the Year and All-American Jake Degnan returns after leading all scorers in conference play with 28 points and 19 goals last season. Fellow first-team All-Conference honorees Brady Soldo and Toby Oliveira also return for the Pride.
 
MIT took third place and will be led by head coach Tyler O’Keefe, who enters his ninth season at the helm. The Engineers return senior Zach Bleil, who earned NEWMAC All-Conference First Team and All-American honorable mention honors last season. Junior Garrett Campagna also returns to the team after earning NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team honors last season.

Salve Regina University enters the poll in the fourth spot. The Seahawks are coached by Patrick Cooney and return two First Team All-NEWMAC seniors in Dan Naglieri, who tallied 31 goals and 41 assists last year, along with Chris Koltzan, who had 46 goals and 18 assists in 2025.
 
Landing in the fifth spot is U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The Bears are coached by Ray La Forte, who enters his 13^th season after leading the Bears to postseason play last season. Ezekiel Christian returns after earning NEWMAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2025. First team All-Conference selection Mason Tucker also returns after leading the NEWMAC in face-off win percentage at .647%.

Wheaton College enters the poll in sixth place. Head Coach Kyle Hart is in his eleventh season as head coach for the Lyons, and will bring back a strong pack of veterans as they look to make a run into the postseason. Leading scorer Emmett Edwards returns after scoring 38 goals last season.
 
Seventh place goes to Clark University, which enters the Matt Colombini era in 2026.  The Cougars return 23 players from last year’s roster, including senior Thomas Michaud, who scored 12 goals and dished out six assists.
  
Emerson College rounds out the poll. The Lions enter 2026 under the direction of first-year head coach Daniel Thomas. Defender John Marcone returns after leading the Lions with 19 caused turnovers last season.
 
The NEWMAC Men’s Lacrosse Champion will be crowned on May 2.
 
2026 NEWMAC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll
 
1. Babson (7)
2. Springfield (1)
3. MIT
4. Salve Regina
5. Coast Guard
6. Wheaton
7. Clark
8. Emerson
 
About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.