Empire 8 

1. St. John Fisher 
2. Nazareth 
3. Geneseo 
4. Hartwick
5. Brockport
6. Alfred
7. Utica
8. Russell Sage
9. Poly
10. Keuka

St. John Fisher 

Head Coach: Dave Dobbins 

2025 Overall Record: 16-5

2025 Conference Record: 9-0

Key Losses: 

• Mason Brady – Attack – 59 Goals, 26 Assists, 85 Points 
• Timmy Salit – Attack – 21 Goals, 50 Assists, 71 Points 
• Braeden McNeill – Attack – 23 Goals, 24 Assists, 47 Points 
• Ethan Kesselring – Attack – 34 Goals, 8 Assists, 42 Points 
• Jordan Leuze – Midfield – 24 Goals, 18 Assists, 42 Points 
• JP Revitte – Attack – 20 Goals, 15 Assists, 35 Points 
• Jack Cornell – Defense – 37 CTs, 85 GBs, 1 Point
• Zach Stirpe – Defense – 25 CTs, 29 GBs, 1 Point 
• Joe Urlacher – Defense – 12 CTs, 19 GBs

Key Returners:

• Sean Donaldson – Midfield – 25 Goals, 7 Assists, 32 Points 
• Robbie Salit – Midfield – 23 Goals, 8 Assists, 31 Points 
• Ethan Hodge – LSM – 14 CTs, 26 GBs, 4 Points
• Garrin Dougherty – Defense – 10 CTs, 25 GBs, 1 Point 
• Tyler Manning – Goalie – 185 Saves, 57 % Save Percentage 

Games that will test this team early:

• Ithaca 
• St. Lawrence 
• Hamilton 
• RIT
• Cortland 

DeeThreeLax Take: St. John Fisher has solidified themselves as the team to beat in the Empire 8 over the last few years. Coming off a strong 2025 season where they saw another Empire 8 title with a trip to the NCAA tournament. It looks like SJF did lose a lot of firepower in the off season but have some key pieces are back that will lead this program to another successful 2026 season. I think SJF will reload across the field and once again be the top dog in the Empire 8 with all the tools to take home another title in 2026. 

Nazareth University

Head Coach: Rob Randall

2025 Overall Record: 13-6

2025 Conference Record: 8-1

Key Losses:

• Quinn McKercher | A | G:45 A:30 P:75, HM AA, North/South Game, E8 Offensive Player of the Year, E8 First Team, 
• Jacob Denkenberger | FO | FO%: 70.2% GB:173, HM AA, E8 First Team, 
• Owen Riley | M | G:25 A:22 P:47, Scholar AA, North/South Game, E8 First Team, 
• Andy Hamel | M | G:15 A:4 P:19, E8 Sportsman of the Year
• Sean O’Brian | LSM | A:3 GB:45 CT:2, Scholar AA, E8 All Tournament Team
• Tore DiFilippo | LSM | G:1 GB:9 CT:3

Key Returners:

• Matthew Farrington | A | G:37 A:24 P:61, E8 Second Team, E8 All Tournament Team
• Kyle Rosenberger | A | G:35 A:8 A:43, E8 Third Team
• Billy O’Neill | A/M | G:23 A:12 P:35
• Louis Cogliandro | M | G:28 A: 11 P:39, E8 Second Team
• Joey Hathorn | M | G:12 A:5 P:17, 
• Billy Meagher | M | G:14 A:9 P:23, 
• Luke Suchyna | M | G:1 A:2 P:4 GB:59, E8 Third Team, E8 All Tournament Team
• Gibson Spector | M | G:1 A:2 P:2 GB:27, CT:10
• Cole Slimak | D | G:1 A:2 P:2 GB:20 CT:13, E8 Third Team
• Nick Hinck | D |  GB:36 CT:14, E8 Second Team
• Mclean Ralston | G | SV:145 SV%:49% GAA: 10.54, E8 Third Team

Impact Newcomers (First-years, transfers, returns from injury)

• Noah Olbrich | A | First Year, Expected to Contribute 
• Jimmy Donnelly | A | First Year, Expected to Contribute
• Ben Wilson | M | First Year, Expected to Contribute 
• Justin Skelly | M |  Transfer, Expected to Contribute 
• Jack Schimmel | D | Transfer,  Expected to Contribute 
• Connor Fundis | D | Transfer, Expected to Contribute 
• Brennan Murray  | D | First Year, Expected to Contribute 
• Sven Habitzreuther | G | First Year, Expected to Contribute

Games That Will Test This Team Early: 

• Endicott
• RIT
• Clarkson
• St. Lawrence
• Ithaca
• Western New England
• Cortland

Anything You Feel the Lacrosse Community Should Know About This Team: 

“We have a great group that have worked hard over the summer and the fall. After graduating some important pieces, it is exciting to see who is ready to step up into some bigger roles, both on and off the field. Our schedule is full of strong opponents but we feel confident that this group can compete with the best of them. Looking forward to getting the 2026 campaign underway!”

DeeThreeLax Take: Nazareth enters 2026 ready to take the next step in the Empire 8. This is a team that has been right there fighting for the Empire 8 title in recent years but have come up just short. The Golden Flyers graduated some top talent but still return a deep, and versatile core that can score in bunches and slow opposes offenses down. A loaded early schedule should have this group more than ready to run with the Empire 8 competition. Overall Nazareth looks like they should once again be in a good spot in 2026. I expect them to be fighting for the conference title. 

Geneseo 

Head Coach: Ian Nash 

2025 Overall Record: 11-7

2025 Conference Record: 7-2

Key Losses:

• Riley Henselder – Attack – 32 Goals, 32 Assists, 64 Points 
• Jimmy Atkinson – Attack – 43 Goals, 15 Assists, 58 Points 
• Andrew Tittmann – Goalie – 180 Saves, 54 % Save Percentage 

Key Returners:

• Ryan Trebing – Attack – 31 Goals, 15 Assists, 46 Points 
• Aksel Stanat – Attack – 20 Goals, 6 Assists, 26 Points 
• Ian Leahey – Midfield – 16 Goals, 6 Assists, 22 Points 
• Jake Perinchief – Midfield – 11 Goals, 10 Assists, 21 Points 
• Aidan Crane – Defense – 23 CTs, 66 GBs, 4 Points
• Josh Knapp – Defense – 19 CTs, 27 GBs, 6 Points 
• Nick Reffelt – Defense – 15 CTs, 30 GBs 
• Sam Myung – Defense – 8 CTs, 22 GBs

Games that will test this team early:

• RPI 
• Ithaca 
• RIT

DeeThreeLax Take: Geneseo looks like a team that is ready to explode in 2026, with a huge returning group. They will need to make up for their top two point leaders from last season and their starting goalie but outside of that they return a ton of production that is ready to make a run in the Empire 8. Early matchups against RPI, Ithaca, and RIT will quickly show how the new-look offense handles pressure. If Geneseo finds the needed pieces to lead this offense this feels like a team that can stay right in the mix in a deep Empire 8 race.

Hartwick 

Head Coach: Connor Bishop 

2025 Overall Record: 9-7

2025 Conference Record: 6-3

Key Losses:

• Garrett Frost – Midfield – 30 Goals, 11 Assists, 41 Points 
• Tyler Nocito – Midfield – 19 Goals, 16 Assists, 35 Points 
• Taharihwakohe Lazore – Attack – 10 Goals, 25 Assists, 35 Points 
• Liam Downey – Defense – 26 CTs, 92 GBs, 3 Points 
• Jakob Day – Defense – 22 CTs, 31 GBs
• Joseph Pagano – Defense – 20 CTs, 32 GBs
• Cooper Francis – Midfield – 16 CTs, 60 GBs, 3 Points 

Key Returners:

• Colin August – Attack – 43 Goals, 4 Assists, 47 Points 
• Spencer Hogaboom – Midfield – 11 Goals, 11 Assists, 22 Points 
• Christian Szokoli – Defense – 18 CTS, 29 GBs, 3 Points 
• Kaiden Johnson – Goalie – 199 Saves 

Games that will test this team early:

• Skidmore
• SUNY Oswego
• Farmingdale State 
• Hamilton

DeeThreeLax Take: Hartwick looks like a team that is in transition for the 2026 season. They graduated a lot and look like they have a bunch of key positions that will need to be reloaded. Colin August gives the Hawks a go to guy on offense and Kaiden Johnson returning in goal provides stability for the defense. Early tests against Skidmore, Oswego, and Hamilton will force this group to grow up quickly. If Hartwick can replace some of the grit and ground-ball work it lost, this is a team that can still be a tough out every night.

Brockport

Head Coach: Nick Fiorentino 

2025 Overall Record: 8-9

2025 Conference Record: 5-4

Key Losses:

• Nate Askin – Midfield – 27 Goals, 17 Assists, 44 Points 
• Jack Rice – Midfield – 22 Goals, 16 Assists, 38 Goals
• Carson Colucci – Attack – 29 Goals, 5 Assists, 34 Goals
• Tim Hubbard – Defense – 20 CTs, 27 GBs
• Alex Cash – Defense – 15 CTs, 17 GBs
• Jack Acker – Goalie – 228 Saves, 58% Save Percentage 

Key Returners:

• Pierson Jacobs – Midfield – 26 Goals, 7 Assists, 33 Points 
• Marc Zappulla – Attack – 11 Goals, 12 Assists, 23 Points 
• AJ Thomas – Defense – 15 CTs, 27 GBs, 1 Points

Games that will test this team early:

• Western Connecticut State
• Oneonta
• Cortland

DeeThreeLax Take: Brockport heads into 2026 with some gaps to fill after losing a group that put together strong production last season. Brockport isn’t starting from scratch nd the return of Pierson Jacobs helps steady the Golden Eagles in 2026. . If Brockport can settle on new leaders early, they have the chance to be tougher than last year’s record suggests and stay competitive within the Empire 8.

Alfred 

Head Coach: Jason Lockner 

2025 Overall Record: 6-9

2025 Conference Record: 4-5 

Key Losses:

• Kevin Matson – Attack – 33 Goals, 11 Assists, 44 Points 
• Mike Halsey – Attack – 12 Goals, 25 Assists, 37 Points 
• Shane Cubala – LSM – 13 CTs, 37 GBs, 7 Points 
• Guinn Sullivan – Goalie – 132 Saves, 51% Save Percentage 

Key Returners:

• Cole Loewke – Attack – 34 Goals, 12 Assists, 46 Points 
• Keagan Hoesterey – Midfield – 14 Goals, 19 Assists, 33 Points 
• Brendan Riley – Midfield – 21 Goals, 9 Assists, 30 Points 
• Ben Cunningham – Defense – 23 CTs, 29 GBs
• Ian Marsh – LSM – 15 CTs, 17 GBs
• Josh Funk – Defense – 12 CTs, 20 GBs 

Games that will test this team early:

• Penn College 
• SUNY Morrisville 
• Oswego

DeeThreeLax Take: Alfred comes into 2026 looking at a new feel offensively. They have plenty of fire power back and with Cole Loewke leading the charge the offense will just look to continue adding pieces to take them up a level. Saxons lost some key playmakers and a starting goalie, so early-season chemistry, especially on the defensive end will be important. If Alfred can find the right Netminder and get consistent two way play from new comers this group should see an improved season and push higher in the Empire 8 standings.  

Utica 

Head Coach: Sean Behan 

2025 Overall Record: 6-10

2025 Conference Record: 3-6

Key Losses:

• Andrew Sacco – LSM – 17 CTs, 43 GBs 
• Patrick Oswald – Goalie – 151 Saves 

Key Returners:

• Ryan Considine – Attack – 32 Goals, 20 Assists, 52 Points 
• Nolan Shea – Attack – 15 Goals, 15 Assists, 30 Points 
• Noah Erickson – Midfield – 18 Goals, 7 Assists, 25 Points 
• Lucas Donahue – Midfield – 14 Goals, 8 Assists, 22 Points 
• Ryan Hollenbeck – Attack – 19 Goals, 2 Assists, 21 Points 
• Gianpaul Cooper – Defense – 23 CTs, 23 GBs
• Aaron Bergquist – Defense – 15 CTs, 34 GBs, 5 Points
• Colin Musso – LSM – 15 CTs, 27 GBs

Games that will test this team early:

• SUNY Potsdam 
• Farmingdale State 
• Oswego 

DeeThreeLax Take: Utica returns almost their entire team from the 2025 season and look ready to get things done this season. Utica has an experienced offensive group that is deep and ready to score on anyone in the Empire 8. Defensively Utica is just as deep as the offense which will make it difficult for opposing offenses to score and get big leads on this group. Overall I expect Utica to put together an improved season in 2026 and should be able to climb the ranks within the conference to give them a fighting chance to make the Empire 8 tournament at the end of the season. 

Russell Sage 

Head Coach: Erich Skelly 

2025 Overall Record: 5-12

2025 Conference Record: 2-7

Key Losses:

• Anthony Marrone – Midfield – 58 Goals, 6 Assists, 64 Points 
• Jack McElwee – Midfield – 25 Goals, 18 Assists, 43 Points 
• Adam Willig – Attack – 13 Goals, 14 Assists, 27 Points 
• Joe Johnson – 23 Goals, 3 Assists, 26 Points 

Key Returners:

• Carson Pesce – Midfield – 7 Goals, 14 Assists, 21 Points 
• Jordan Hankel – Goalie – 150 Saves, 52% Save Percentage 
• Brady Dubay – Defense – 9 CTs, 27 GBs,
• Matthew DeSocio – Defense – 13 CTs, 21 GBs

Games that will test this team early:

• SUNY Delhi 
• Mt. St. Mary College 
• SUNY Morrisville 

DeeThreeLax Take: Russell Sage enters 2026 in a true reset year after graduating a massive chunk of its offensive production, so this season is going to be about figuring out new roles and building confidence early. With Jordan Hankel back in cage, the Gators should be competitive defensively most days, especially if the returning close unit can limit transition looks. The big question is where the goals come from and how quickly the offense can find an identity without its top scorers. Early games against SUNY Delhi and Morrisville will be important tone-setters as Sage looks to show growth and take steps forward in the Empire 8 standings.

SUNY Poly
Head Coach: Eric Miccio
2025 Overall Record: 5-10

2025 Conference Record: 1-8

*Previously in the NAC before moving to Empire 8 Last season. 

Key Losses:

• Joseph Van Zandt – Goalie – 500+ Saves. 2024 NAC Defensive Player of the Year 
• Payton Thomas- Midfield – 100 plus career points. 2x All NAC Midfielder 

Key Returners:

• Luke Taylor – Midfield – 10 Games, 22 Goals, 12 Assists, 2x All NAC Midfielder, 2x captain. Season ending injury mid season in 2025. 
• Ryan Carroll- Midfield – 15 Games, 20 Goals, 5 Assists, All NAC Midfielder 2024. Captain 
• Liam Podszebka – Defense – 15 Games, 2 Goals, 1 Assist, 55 GBs, 22 CTs, All NAC defender 2024, captain 

Impact Newcomers (First-years, transfers, returns from injury)

• Kaiden Aton – Defense 
• Casey Ryan – Attack 

Non-Conference Games That Will Test This Team Early:

• Alfred State 
• SUNY Oswego 
• SUNY Potsdam
• SUNY Morrisville

 Anything You Feel the Lacrosse Community Should Know About This Team: 

“This team has grown together and made a lot of improvements this fall. We are building comradery, depth, and an overall belief and respect that we can compete. Poly is a special place and we want to give our school community, alumni, and parents a team that they can be proud of.”

DeeThreeLax Take: SUNY Poly heads into 2026 continuing to build after a strong fall and a full year of adjusting to life in the Empire 8. Losing a program-defining goalie and a multi-time All-Conference midfielder is no small thing, but getting Luke Taylor back healthy gives Poly a proven tone-setter in the middle of the field. With veteran leadership from Ryan Carroll and Liam Podszebka, this group should be tougher, more physical, and far more connected than it was a year ago. If Poly can survive a demanding non-conference stretch and steal a few early wins, pushing for a top-six finish and meaningful late-season games is very much in play.

Keuka

Head Coach: Ty Trombley 

2025 Overall Record: 3-12

2025 Conference Record: 0-9

Key Losses:

• Logan McMurtry – Defense – 29 CTs, 30 GBs, 3 Points 
• John Petry – Defense – 18 CTs, 30 GBs
• Daniel Rustay – Midfield – 15 CTs, 69 GBs

Key Returners:

• Mitchell Wise – Attack – 29 Goals, 8 Assists, 37 Points 
• Harrison Root – Attack – 31 Goals, 2 Assists, 33 Points 
• Kaleb Glessing – Attack – 11 Goals, 21 Assists, 32 Points 
• Austin Holsclaw – Midfield – 15 Goals, 7 Assists, 22 Points 
• Jaxson Tucker – Goalie – 256 Saves 

Games that will test this team early:

• Thiel College 
• Pitt Bradford 
• Alfred State

DeeThreeLax take: Keuka enters 2026 looking to take a clear step forward after a tough year in the Empire 8, and the offense is where the optimism starts. With Mitchell Wise, Harrison Root, and Kaleb Glessing all back, this is a group that can score and keep games competitive when they’re clicking. The big question is on the defensive end after graduating multiple defenders, which puts added pressure on Jaxson Tucker to stand tall early and often. If Keuka can tighten things up defensively and get through the early tests with confidence, this feels like a team capable of being far more dangerous than last year.