NEW YORK | Eager to avenge last season’s finish, the United States Merchant Marine Academy has been selected as the favorite in the 2026 Skyline Conference Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Mariners totaled 46 points in voting conducted by the league’s head coaches.

Last spring’s Skyline Championship saw Farmingdale State topple Merchant Marine, 14-7, in the title game to capture the conference crown for the second consecutive season and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship.

Farmingdale State, the defending Skyline champion, was selected second in the preseason poll with 44 points, followed by Maritime in third with 39 points after a strong semifinal appearance a season ago. Manhattanville University (31 points) placed fourth after qualifying for last year’s tournament, while Mount Saint Vincent (23 points), Mount Saint Mary (20), St. Joseph’s-Long Island (13), and Purchase (8) rounded out the poll.

All three of the league’s top seeds from 2025 - Farmingdale State, Merchant Marine, and Maritime - finished 6-1 in Skyline play, with seeding determined by league tiebreakers.

The 2026 Skyline Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championship is slated to begin with first round action April 28, followed by semifinal and championship rounds hosted by the highest remaining seeds on April 30 and May 1, respectively. The tournament champion will earn the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship.

2026 Skyline Conference Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank, School, Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Merchant Marine, 46 (5)    
2. Farmingdale State, 44 (3)    
3. Maritime, 39    
4. Manhattanville University, 31    
5. Mount Saint Vincent, 23    
6. Mount Saint Mary, 20    
7. St. Joseph’s-Long Island, 13    
8. Purchase, 8