Salisbury received four first-place votes and is predicted to capture its second consecutive Coastal Lacrosse Conference championship in 2026, based on voting by the league’s six head coaches. Christopher Newport received two first-place votes and is predicted second, Kean is predicted third, Mary Washington and Stockton are tied for fourth, and Warren Wilson rounds out the six-team conference.
The conference features 15 USA Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans, representing five of the CLC’s programs.
2026 CLC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll:
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Salisbury (4) – 24 points
2. Christopher Newport (2) – 22
3. Kean – 15
4. (tied) Mary Washington – 12
4. (tied) Stockton – 12
6. Warren Wilson – 5
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT
The Captains return five USA Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans from a team that advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals last season and are ranked No. 2 nationally in the preseason poll. Junior attackman Kevin Miller is a Preseason First Team All-American who put up 34 goals, 81 assists, and 115 points (5.23 per game) while leading the CLC in assists per game (3.68). Senior goalie Mason Bellinger earned Preseason First Team All-American honors after making 241 saves and posting a .555 save percentage last season. Junior defenseman Mark Davison is a Preseason First Team All-American, while fifth-year defenseman Colin DeGrassi provides veteran leadership after earning Preseason Honorable Mention All-American recognition. Senior attackman Jamie Smith is a Preseason Second Team All-American and the 2025 CLC Scholar-Athlete of the Year who led the conference in goals per game (3.82) with 84 goals. Sophomore midfielder Jackson Platner returns after an All-American freshman campaign. The defense also features senior SSDM Daniel Siaton and senior SSDM Rory Keverline, both Preseason Honorable Mention All-Americans.
Newcomers to Watch: Ryan Miller (Attack; Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee HS), Blaise Coley (Attack; Haddonfield, N.J./Avon Old Farms), Levi Wentz (Midfield; Vienna, Va./James Madison HS), Randolph Campbell (Midfield; Richmond, Va./Collegiate HS/Providence College), Zach Ward (Faceoff; Leesburg, Va./Riverside HS/Jacksonville University)
Head Coach Mikey Thompson: "We are hungry to build on the success we have had in the last few years while honoring the fact that every year is a fresh start and a new team. We look forward to some great games in conference and have put together a very competitive out-of-conference schedule as well to have us ready for the month of May."
KEAN
The Cougars return key contributors from last season including senior attackman Dylan Johnson (71 goals, 30 assists, 101 points), who earned Preseason Honorable Mention All-American recognition and was a First Team All-CLC selection in 2025. Johnson averaged 3.74 goals per game and 5.32 points per game last season. Senior attackman Aarin Arbore provides another proven offensive threat. Junior midfielder Jake Dvoor (24 assists) returns to anchor the midfield. The defense features senior LSM Jake Gruzas (31 caused turnovers) and junior SSDM Tyler Scott. Junior goalie Nick Paterno (11.79 saves per game, .532 save percentage) returns after earning Second Team All-CLC honors last season. Freshman attackman Jackson Wastell (Galloway, NJ/Absegami HS) brings excellent stick skills who has a great chance to carve out an early role.
Newcomers to Watch: Jackson Wastell (FR; Attack; Absecon, N.J./Absegami HS)
Head Coach Alex Lopes: "We look forward to the opportunity to build off last year's success while continuing to establish a sustainable identity for our program. A challenging non-conference schedule will help prepare us for a strong group of conference opponents. We're extremely excited for the season ahead."
MARY WASHINGTON
The Eagles enter a new era under first-year head coach Kyle Hofstaedter with a solid foundation of returners. Senior SSDM Keller Dillman (3.88 ground balls per game) is an Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-CLC selection who brings defensive intensity. The Eagles should control possession with senior faceoff specialist Jacob Fowler (.624 faceoff percentage, 6.07 ground balls per game), an Honorable Mention All-American and Second Team All-CLC returner who dominated the X last season. Senior goalie Ryan D'Angelo provides stability in the cage. Offensively, senior attackman Dave Votapek (34 goals, 2.00 goals per game) leads a veteran group that includes sophomore attackman Tanner Boone and senior midfielder Reece Stone.
Newcomers to Watch: Logan Klinger (Midfield; Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield HS), Dylan Borges (Midfield; Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley HS), Parker Hicks (Attack; Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen HS/St. Mary's College (Md.)), Lucas Owens (Defense; Ashland, Va./Independence HS)
Head Coach Kyle Hofstaedter: "As we head into this season, our expectation is to be competitive every time we step on the field and to build a program that plays with confidence, toughness, and consistency. We've set a clear goal this year of reaching double-digit wins, something this program hasn't accomplished since 2014. We also want to put ourselves in position to compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament."
SALISBURY
The Sea Gulls have tough shoes to fill after losing Player of the Year John DeFazio and Offensive Player of the Year Brice Bromwell, but return a tremendous nucleus led by seven USA Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans. Senior attackman Connor Herraiz (30 goals, 53 assists, 83 points) earned Preseason First Team All-American honors and returns as one of the nation's premier playmakers. Senior midfielder Riley Strub (69 goals, 12 assists, 81 points) is a Preseason First Team All-American and one of the CLC's most dangerous scorers. Sophomore attackman Ryan Della (52 goals, 9 assists, 61 points) provides another proven offensive weapon and earned Preseason Honorable Mention All-American recognition. The defense features three Preseason All-Americans in senior LSM Jeremiah Stafford (Second Team), senior defenseman Bryce Stevenson (First Team), and senior SSDM Brady Mancha (Third Team). Senior faceoff specialist Blake Malamphy is a Preseason First Team All-American and returns as one of the nation's top faceoff men. The Sea Gulls also add a trio of Division I transfers.
Newcomers to Watch: Tristan Plotts (GR; Midfield; Mountain Lakes, N.J./Mountain Lakes HS/Drexel University), Michael DeSano (JR; Defense; Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown HS East/Stony Brook University), Cooper Keesee (SO; Defense; Lake Oswego, Ore./Lakeridge HS/Drexel University), Ben Adams (FR; SSDM; Edgewater, Md./South River HS)
Head Coach Jim Berkman: "[We have] tough shoes to fill in losing player of the year guys Brice Bromwell and John DeFazio but the good news is we have a tremendous nucleus returning! I am excited for the potential this group has and the work ethic it has exhibited."
STOCKTON
The Ospreys have a strong foundation to build on with sophomore attackman Jack Vandegrift, the 2025 CLC Rookie of the Year who made an immediate impact with 26 goals and 8 assists for 34 points to lead Stockton in scoring as a freshman. The defense returns a proven core led by junior Shane Phillips, a Preseason Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-CLC selection who anchors the back line alongside junior defenseman Chris Funston and junior SSDM Hunter VanZant. Senior goalie Ben Blum was busy last season, averaging 13.58 saves per game while posting a .536 save percentage. The offense gets a boost from sophomore midfielder Gage Parker and junior attack/midfielder Josh Graham, who bring valuable experience.
Newcomers to Watch: Calen Reid (Attack/Midfield; Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson HS)
Head Coach Kevin Zulauf: "Our expectations for this season are to compete with the highest level of intensity and teamwork to be at our best every time we take the field. We look forward to the challenge that each program brings in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference."
WARREN WILSON
The Owls return senior attackman Ethan Damm, who is fully healthy and ready to go this year after being a proven offensive presence. Senior goalie and 2025 Second Team All-CLC goalie Anthony Varela (17.38 saves per game, .457 save percentage) anchors the defense from the cage and is prepared to take on a leadership role this season. Senior midfielder Jayshawn Bruce-Albert (6.71 ground balls per game) returns with energy, toughness, and versatility. Key newcomers include attackman Jae Heath, a great playmaker and finisher who adds creativity to the offense; defenseman Tatum Morris, a big, physical defender looking to make an early impact; and attackman Marquis Prater, a shifty left-handed player who can stretch defenses.
Newcomers to Watch: Jae Heath (Attack; Baltimore, Md./A.C.C.E. HS/William Woods University), Tatum Morris (Defense; Duncan, S.C./James F. Byrnes HS), Marquis Prater (Attack; Essex, Md./Hebron Academy HS (Maine))
Head Coach Woodie Woodside: "We're excited about the growth of this group and the direction our program continues to move in. We have a mix of experienced returners and talented newcomers who have bought into our culture and expectations. If we stay healthy and continue to compete and improve every day, we believe this team can be competitive this season and take meaningful steps forward."