NESCAC

1. Tufts
2. Bowdoin
3. Wesleyan
4. Amherst
5. Middlebury
6. Trinity
7. Bates
8. Hamilton
9. Williams
10. Connecticut College
11. Colby 

Tufts

Head Coach: Casey D’Annolfo

2025 Overall Record: 23-0

2025 Conference Record: 10-0

Key Losses:

• Max Ettinghausen – Attack – 62 Goals, 15 Assists, 77 Points
• Charlie Tagliaferri – Midfield – 32 Goals, 30 Assists, 62 Points
• Joey Waldbaum – Defense – 23 CTs, 60 GBs, 7 Points
• Michael Ayers – Defense – 21 CTs, 76 GBs
• Cam Delcristo – Midfield – 13 CTs, 33 GBs, 8 Points
• George Panagopoulos – Defense – 13 CTs, 30 GBs, 1 Point
• Conner Garzone – Goalie – 215 Saves, 58 % Save Percentage

Key Returners:

• Jack Regnery – Attack – 78 Goals, 25 Assists, 103 Points
• Brooks Hauser – Attack – 54 Goals, 27 Assists, 81 Points
• Garrett Kelly – Midfield – 41 Goals, 16 Assists, 57 Points
• Will Emsing – Attack – 29 Goals, 27 Assists, 56 Points
• Logan Lee – Defense – 24 CTs, 30 GBs, 6 Points
• Ben Frisoli – LSM – 20 CTs, 36 GBs, 19 Points 

Games that will test this team early:

• Denison
• CNU

DeeThreeLax Take: Tufts is back in 2026 looking to make it 3 peat with National Titles. Tufts returns as the clear #1 ranked team in the country with a ton of fire power and arguably the best offensive player in the country with Regnery. This 2026 Tufts team is very good and has all the tools needed to get back to the national championship, but they will need to fill the gaps left behind from the 2025 teams. The pieces that were lost were all key impact players that will need to be replaced and replaced quickly to ensure this group doesn’t miss a step. I think offensively Tufts is once again going to score a ton of goals, but the big question is around the defense. If they can fill the gaps lost during the offseason Tufts will push to claim another NESCAC title and springboard them into the NCAAs where they can make a run back to the title in 2026.

Bowdoin

Head Coach: Bill Mason

2025 Overall Record: 16-4

2025 Conference Record: 8-2

Key Losses:

• Patrick Fitzgerald – Attack – 84 Goals, 15 Assists, 99 Points
• Jason Lach – Attack – 47 Goals, 17 Assists, 64 Points
• Jed Hoggard – Defense – 33 CTs, 77 GBs, 15 Points
• Robert Hobbs – Goalie – 198 Saves, 53% Save Percentage

Key Returners:

• Ryan Casey – Attack – 26 Goals, 65 Assists, 91 Points
• Chris Berry – Attack – 35 Goals, 15 Assists, 50 Points
• Huck Trafton – Midfield – 22 Goals, 16 Assists, 38 Points
• Sam Raye-Steiner – Midfield – 25 Goals, 9 Assists, 34 Points
• Brooks Kitchel – Defense – 26 CTs, 26 GBs, 2 Points 
• Alex Byren – LSM – 26 CTs, 52 GBs, 2 Points
• Jack Pyne – Defense – 19 CTs, 39 GBs, 3 Points

Games that will test this team early:

• Endicott
• MIT
• Babson

DeeThreeLax Take: Bowdoin returns in 2026 looking to build off of another successful season in 2025. Bowdoin has been a program on the rise the last few years and I think it is safe to say that they have cemented themselves as a real contender in the NESCAC and nationally. While they did lose some big names from the 2025 season, Bowdoin returns a ton of points that will look to score early and often throughout 2026. The defense for Bowdoin looks like they are going to be challenging for opposing offensives as well. I think Bowdoin is once again going to be a top team in the NESCAC this season. They have all the pieces needed to push their way back to the NESCAC title game and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament in May.

Wesleyan

Head Coach: John Raba

2025 Overall Record: 13-6

2025 Conference Record: 7-3

Key Losses:

• Jack Raba – Attack – 24 Goals, 62 Assists, 86 Points
• CK Giancola – Midfield – 55 Goals, 13 Assists, 68 Points
• Reef Kabalin – LSM – 30 CTs, 23 GBs
• Emmett Schillinger – Defense – 25 CTs, 51 GBs, 1 Point
• Charlie Hoban – SSDM – 10 CTs, 25 GBs, 7 Points

Key Returners:

• Will Miller – Attack – 31 Goals, 23 Assists, 54 Points
• Ben Burns – Attack – 45 Goals, 8 Assists, 53 Points
• James Bailey – Midfield – 22 Goals, 27 Assists, 49 Points
• Gavin Lechner – Attack – 27 Goals, 9 Assists, 36 Points
• Joe Hurton – LSM – 22 CTs, 36 GBs, 1 Point 
• Conor Selfridge – Goalie – 231 Saves, 55 % Save Percentage

Games that will test this team early:

• RIT
• Stevens

DeeThreeLax Take: Wesleyan comes into 2026 with the loss of some firepower, but this is still a NESCAC team that reloads more often than it rebuilds. With proven scorers like Will Miller, Ben Burns, and James Bailey back, the offense should still be dangerous even without last year’s go to guys in Raba and Giancola. Conor Selfridge gives them a steady presence in goals, which always keeps Wesleyan in games when things get tight. If this group gels early and handles the RIT and Stevens tests, don’t be surprised if Wesleyan is right back in the mix when NESCAC plays ramps up.

Amherst

Head Coach: Sean Woods

2025 Overall Record: 11-6

2025 Conference Record: 7-3

Key Losses:

• Alex Giacobbe – Midfield – 31 Goals, 7 Assists, 38 Points
• Lawson Laverty – Defense – 26 CTs, 48 GBs, 1 Point 
• Ben Bruno – Midfield – 12 CTs, 41 GBs, 3 Points
• Jacob Bruno – Defense – 11 CTs, 19 GBs, 1 Point

Key Returners:

• Bennett Chow – Midfield – 30 Goals, 13 Assists, 43 Points
• Brendan Reilly – Attack – 21 Goals, 18 Assists, 39 Points
• Bob Gross – Attack – 23 Goals, 11 Assists, 34 Points
• Willie Doyle – Midfield – 17 Goals, 16 Assists, 33 Points
• Alex Vlacich – Midfield – 12 Goals, 12 Assists, 24 Points
• Thompson Lau – Defense – 19 CTs, 52 GBs ,3 Points
• Luciano Chadha – Defense – 13 CTs, 20 GBs, 1 Point

Games that will test this team early:

• Babson
• Swarthmore
• CNU

DeeThreeLax Take: Amherst quietly brings back a ton of production and feels like a team that could sneak up on people early in 2026. Bennett Chow is the engine in the midfield, and with Reilly, Gross, Doyle, and Vlacich all returning, this offense has balance and depth across the board. The early stretch against the NESCAC as well as Babson, Swarthmore, and CNU will tell us a lot about how ready this group is in 2026. It looks like Amherst has the needed pieces to be in the mix in the NESCAC this season.

Middlebury 

Head Coach: Dave Campbell

2025 Overall Record: 9-9

2025 Conference Record: 6-4

Key Losses:

• Billy Curtis – Attack – 36 Goals, 33 Assists, 69 Points
• Patrick Jamin – Midfield – 22 Goals, 30 Assists, 52 Points
• Russell Thorndike – Attack – 23 Goals, 7 Assists, 30 Points
• Finn McCarthy – Attack – 17 Goals, 8 Assists, 25 Points
• Teddy Curran – Defense – 16 CTs, 12 GBs, 1 Point 
• Will Spehr – Midfield – 12 CTs, 16 GBs, 5 Points
• Nate Ruoss – Defense – 8 CTs, 17 GBs

Key Returners:

• Logan White – Attack – 23 Goals, 14 Assists, 37 Points
• Cooper DeMallie – Midfield – 24 Goals, 10 Assists, 34 Points
• Drew Summer – LSM – 20 CTS, 18 GBs, 1 Point
• Hayden Kern – Goalie – 189 Saves, 51 % Save Percentage 

Games that will test this team early:

• RPI
• Babson
• St. Lawrence

DeeThreeLax Take: Middlebury is turning the page in 2026 after graduating a big chunk of last year’s offensive production, but there’s still enough talent here to be competitive. Logan White and Cooper DeMallie step into much bigger roles, and Hayden Kern gives them a steady option in goal when games get tight. The early matchups with RPI, Babson, and St. Lawrence should give this group a quick reality check and help define the identity of the team. Middlebury always finds a way to be a tough team, and compete in the NESCAC. I believe 2026 with be another year that Middlebury is staying in the conversation and likely to pull off a big upset or two.

Trinity

Head Coach: Jason Tarnow

2025 Overall Record: 9-8

2025 Conference Record: 3-7

Key Losses:

• Jon Krikorian – Attack – 23 Goals, 22 Assists, 45 Points
• Hugh Curran – Defense – 9 CTs, 19 GBs
• Jordan Opdahl – Goalie – 256 Saves, 55 % Save Percentage

Key Returners:

• Bo Page – Attack – 36 Goals, 16 Assists, 52 Points
• Jay Ottomanelli – Midfield – 32 Goals, 11 Assists, 43 Points
• Miles Harvey – Attack – 21 Goals, 4 Assists, 25 Points
• Jake Connors – Midfield – 16 Goals, 9 Assists, 25 Points
• Carter Barford- Defense – 21 CTs, 44 GBs, 1 Point
• Makin Blalock – 19 CTs, 30 GBs
• Ethan Lung – Defense – 13 CTs, 53 GBs, 3 Point
• Rider Duncan – Defense – 11 CTS, 14 GBs, 6 Points 
• Rory McAloon – Midfield – 7 CTs, 27 GBs, 4 Points

Games that will test this team early:

• Skidmore
• Salisbury

DeeThreelax Take: Trinity feels like a classic NESCAC wild card heading into 2026. The offense should still have plenty of bite with Bo Page and Jay Ottomanelli leading the way, and there’s enough experience across the midfield to keep pressure on defenses. Replacing Jordan Opdahl in goal is the biggest question mark, especially with early tests against Skidmore and Salisbury looming. If the defense settles in quickly and the goalie situation stabilizes, Trinity has the pieces to be a dark horse in the NESCAC for the 2026 season.

Bates

Head Coach: Dan Annino

2025 Overall Record: 9-7

2025 Conference Record: 4-6

Key Losses:

• Ben Miller – LSM – 34 CTs, 64 GBs, 11 Points 
• Cooper Lance – Midfield – 14 CTs, 39 GBs, 6 Points
• Colton Curtis – Defense – 9 CTs, 23 GBs, 1 Point 

Key Returners:

• Riley McClure – Attack – 35 Goals, 14 Assists, 49 Points
• Connor Hartman – Midfield – 30 Goals, 11 Assists, 41 Points
• Jack Goldbach – Attack – 18 Goals, 18 Assists, 36 Points
• Gray Doyle – Attack – 18 Goals, 15 Assists, 33 Points
• Xander Frey – Midfield – 16 Goals, 15 Assists, 31 Points
• Liam Rule – Midfield – 8 Goals, 13 Assists, 21 Points
• Teddy Rosen – Defense – 13 CTs, 22 GBs
• Mason Proutt – Midfield – 10 CTs, 17 GBs, 5 Points
• Andrew Toland – Goalie – 155 Saves, 51 % Save Percentage

Games that will test this team early:

• Union
• Kean

DeeThreeLax Take:           

Bates brings back one of the more fun offensive groups in the NESCAC, and that alone makes them dangerous on any given day. Riley McClure and Connor Hartman headline an attack that can score in bunches, while Goldbach, Doyle, and Frey give them real depth across the front six. If Bates can replace some key defensive pieces and get steady play from Toland in cage, this feels like a team capable of climbing the ranks within the NESCAC and hanging with the top of the conference.

Hamilton

Head Coach: Scott Barnard

2025 Overall Record: 7-8

2025 Conference Record: 4-6

Key Losses:

• Will Heher – Midfield – 19 Goals, 3 Assists, 22 Points
• Justin Pearl – Midfield – 15 Goals, 5 Assists, 20 Points
• Jayme Wilde – LSM – 17 CTs, 38 GBs, 6 Points
• Jake Mair – Defense – 15 CTs, 22 GBs
• Jack Fried – Goalie –  175 Saves, 54 % Save Percentage

Key Returners:

• Thomas Healy – Attack – 31 Goals, 6 Assists, 37 Points
• Frank Coyle – Attack – 17 Goals, 17 Assists, 34 Points
• Jesse Delinsky – Attack – 12 Goals, 8 Assists, 20 Points
• Riley Chai-Onn – Defense – 10 CTs, 23 GBs, 3 Points

Games that will test this team early:

• St. John Fisher
• Franklin & Marshall
• Ithaca

DeeThreeLax Take: Hamilton looks like they are going to be in reload mode in 2026. Thomas Healy and Frank Coyle give them a reliable offensive core, and there’s enough experience up front to keep pressure on defenses. The big focus area will be how the Continentals replace Jack Fried in goal and hand the losses defensively. If Hamilton can get those questions answered quickly and find their groove they should be able to compete all season with anyone in the NESCAC.   

Williams

Head Coach: George Mccormack

2025 Overall Record: 7-10

2025 Conference Record: 4-6

Key Losses:

• Jesse Shapiro – Midfield – 47 Goals, 10 Assists, 57 Points
• Harrison Cross – Midfield – 38 Goals, 18 Assists, 56 Points
• Eddie Loyd – Defense – 36 CTs, 59 GBs
• Matt Wetmore – Goalie – 242 Saves, 55 % Save Percentage

Key Returners:

• Will Doran – Attack – 18 Goals, 29 Assists, 47 Points
• Ryan Johnson – Midfield – 16 Goals, 19 Assists, 35 Points
• Ryan Nagle – Attack – 15 Goals, 13 Assists, 28 Points
• Aidan Housenbold – Defense – 29 CTs, 55 GBs, 7 Points 
• Drew Nicholson – Defense – 16 CTs, 41 GBs, 6 Points 
• Brody Page – LSM – 15 CTs, 36 GBs, 3 Points

Games that will test this team early:

• Union
• RPI
• Salisbury

“We are excited about our 2026 season, primarily due to our committed seniors and the new opponents we will be facing,” said head coach George McCormack. “We have added Harvard as a scrimmage, and Salisbury and Vassar to our regular season schedule. Our seniors have set the tone for the season with their strong work ethic and dedication to the process.”

DeeThreeLax Take: Williams returns 28 guys from the 2025 season will look to continue growing and building off the season they put together last year. Will Doran gives Williams a steady quarterback at attack, and Johnson and Nagle provide enough offensive punch to get things moving offensively.  Defensively, Housenbold, Nicholson, and Page form a tough, experienced core that should keep games tight in typical NESCAC fashion. Williams has more then enough fire power to once again be within striking distance of a NESCAC title and find their way into the NCAA tournament.

Connecticut College

Head Coach: Jim Nagle

2025 Overall Record: 7-8

2025 Conference Record: 2-8

Key Losses:

• Aidan McAvoy – Attack – 29 Goals, 16 Assists, 45 Points
• JJ Ford – Attack – 22 Goals, 4 Assists, 26 Points
• Zach Bucher – Defense – 24 CTs, 34 GBs, 6 Points

Key Returners:

• Liam Horkan – Attack – 39 Goals, 8 Assists, 47 Points
• Andrew Rainville – Attack – 22 Goals, 10 Assists, 32 Points
• Ryan Breheny – Midfield – 8 Goals, 13 Assists, 21 Points
• Chris Travers – Defense – 13 CTs, 28 GBs, 2 Points
• Dylan McGuirk – LSM – 13 CTs, 47 GBs, 2 Points
• Henry Dumler – Defense – 11 CTs, 19 GBs, 1 Point 

Games that will test this team early:

• Salve Regina
• Franklin & Marshall

DeeThreeLax Take: Connecticut College enters 2026 looking to build off the 2025 campaign that they put together. It looks like Conn College was a relatively young team last season and returns a lot of production. Liam Horkan is going to be the go to guy offensively, and with Rainville as a sidekick helping production the camels should be in good hands. The defense looks young but if they can find their ground and settle in the Camels will be a tough team to beat. Keep an eye on this group as I expect to see them surprise a few teams in 2026.

Colby

Head Coach: Jake Bernhardt

2025 Overall Record: 3-10

2025 Conference Record: 0-10

Key Losses:

• Bennet Coller – Midfield – 21 Goals, 17 Assists, 38 Points
• Jackson Alvord – LSM – 12 CTs, 42 GBs 5 Points

Key Returners:

• Gavin Rothenberg – Attack – 30 Goals, 10 Assists, 40 Points
• Matt Murer – Defense – 10 CTs, 27 GBs
• Carson Ahola – Defense – 8 CTs, 15 GBs
• Preston Maze – Defense – 6 CTs, 28 GBs
• Will Heisler – Goalie – 169 Saves, 54 % Save Percentage

Games that will test this team early:

• Springfield
• Clark

DeeThreeLax Take: Colby looks to bounce back after a tough 2025 season. Gavin Rothenberg is an offensive weapon who can keep the Mules competitive on his own, and Heisler in cage gives them a chance every time they step on the field. The challenge will be finding secondary scoring and tightening things up defensively in the brutal NESCAC. Luckily having a coach like Jake Bernhardt goes a long way and I expect to see some young talented underclassmen step up the challenge this season as Bernhardt works to build the Colby program. Colby is ready to take a step forward this season and they will focus on small wins every day until they get to where they want to be.