INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletic Conference Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll revealed associate member Seton Hill as the 2026 favorite. The Griffins are followed by Walsh and Davenport to round out the top three in the coaches poll.
 
Seton Hill is the reigning G-MAC champs, returning Goalkeeper of the Year Will Cody. Cody registered a goals-against average of 5.36 through 20 games. The Pottstown, PA native held the league’s best saves percentage at 62.2%. In addition to Cody, Great Midwest Coach of the Year Brian Novotny returns all-conference selections Wade Brunelle, Carter Green, and Nate Herbster. Brunelle was top-five in the conference in goals per game with 2.60 and 4.50 points per game. Green started in all 20 games for the Griffins, totaling 31 goals on the year and 26 assists. Senior attack Nate Herbster is another top-returner after totaling 43 goals during the 2025 season. SHU will look to win their fifth Great Midwest crown.
 
The Walsh Cavaliers made their first-ever championship appearance in 2025, finishing with an overall record of 10-8. Head coach David Salter returns James Sternberg, who led the league in assists with 44 on the year. He shattered the Walsh program single-season record in goals (45), assists (44), and points (89).
 
Associate member Davenport was voted to finish third, returning a talented group of all-conference members in Jayden Ashley, Luke Eichbauer, Logan Flaherty, Tyler Burd. The group led the Panthers to a 6-3 conference record and a berth to the G-MAC tournament in their first season as associate members.
 
Northwood and Lake Erie were voted fourth and fifth followed by Wheeling. Nicolas Shankland is a top returner for the Storm, earning USILA All-Region Honorable Mention honors last season. Shankland started in 14 games and grabbed 41 ground balls while leading the team in 27 caused turnovers.
 
The sophomore duo of Drew Lockwood and Andrew Rogers return for the Timberwolves after a standout freshman years. In their first year of competition, Northwood recorded an overall record of 5-9 and earned the No. 6 seed in the G-MAC tournament.
 
Malone, Thomas More, and Tiffin were each tied for 7^th as Point Park and Davis & Elkins round out the coaches poll.
 
Northwood opens the 2026 season on Friday, January 30^th in a non-conference matchup against Lewis. A full slate of non-conference games will begin on January 7^th as seven of the 11 G-MAC teams are set to compete.