GREENVILLE, S.C.– The Conference Carolinas office released the 2026 men's lacrosse preseason poll Thursday afternoon, with Chowan University among the nine institutions represented in the conference.
Chowan was selected eighth in the preseason rankings as the Hawks prepare to open the 2026 season on Saturday, February 14. Led by head coach P.R. Simshauser and assistant coach Hassan Davis, the Hawks aim to make their mark this spring with a roster featuring a strong core of seasoned veterans.
Players to watch this season include senior long-stick midfielder Michael Litchfield, a four-year member of the program from Baltimore, Maryland; Reed Low, a three-year attacker from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada; and senior goalkeeper Rocco Smith of Stuart, Florida. With 21 returning players, the Hawks enter the season well-versed in the culture and expectations of the program.
North Greenville won their first regular season and tournament titles in 2025 and were picked to repeat in 2026. North Greenville earned 59 points and four first place votes, edging Belmont Abbey College's 58 points and four first place votes. The University of Mount Olive came in third with 51 points while Barton College received the final first place vote and is picked fourth with 38 points.
Young Harris College and Lees-McRae College tied for fifth with 33 points followed by Emmanuel University with 26 points. The poll finished with Chowan University in eighth with 17 points and Shorter University in ninth with nine points.
The 2026 Conference Carolinas men's Lacrosse Championship starts with quarterfinal games on campus sites on Tuesday, April 21. The semifinals will take place at the Young Harris Lacrosse Field at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia on Friday, April 24. The championship game will be on Sunday, April 26 in Young Harris.
2026 Conference Carolinas
Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
|
School |
Votes (first place) |
| 1 |
North Greenville |
59 (4) |
| 2 |
Belmont Abbey |
58 (4) |
| 3 |
Mount Olive |
51 |
| 4 |
Barton |
38 (1) |
| 5 |
Young Harris |
33 |
| 5 |
Lees-McRae |
33 |
| 7 |
Emmanuel |
26 |
| 8 |
Chowan |
17 |
| 9 |
Shorter |
9 |
2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Lacrosse
Players to Watch
Barton
- Nick Nelson, So., A, Wilmington, North Carolina
- Zach Kashubara, Sr., D, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Gabe Thompson, Jr., M, Endicott, New York
Belmont Abbey
- Nate Lorenzo, Jr., A, Howell, New Jersey (2025 first team All-Conference Carolinas)
- Jack Clough, Jr., M, Watertown, New York (2025 second team All-Conference Carolinas)
- Matt Campfield, Sr., LSM, Newfields, New Hampshire
Chowan
- Michael Litchfield, Sr., LSM, Baltimore, Maryland
- Reed Low, Jr., A, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
- Rocco Smith, Sr., GK, Stuart, Florida
Emmanuel
- Ryland Laturell, Sr., A, Bishop, Georgia
- Braden Weeks, Fr., M, Evans, Georgia
- Cameron Lui, So., D, Evans, Georgia
Ferrum
- Micahyah Dickerson, Jr., Chesapeake, Virginia
- Alaia Beckwith, Fr., Clemmons, North Carolina
- Makaila Veney, Gr., Montross, Virginia (Three-time All-ODAC)
Lees-McRae
- Cayden Onagi, Sr., A, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (2025 first team All-SAC)
- Zach Basisty, Sr., A, Westlock, Alberta, Canada
- Connor Costigan, Sr., D, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Mount Olive
- Kurtis Lensing, Sr., GK, Wake Forest, North Carolina (Two-time All-Conference Carolinas)
- Ben Vanderkley, Sr., A, Beaumont, Alberta
- Brayden Rieger, So., A, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
North Greenville
- Bennett Matsler, Jr., FO, Tempe, Arizona
- Wesley Sharper, Sr., LSM, Frederick, Maryland
- Tayler Slais, JR, A/M, Holly Springs, North Carolina
Shorter
- Eli Hunt, Fr., LSM, Watkinsville, Georgia
- Jeremiah Sandy, Fr., M, Gaithursburg, Maryland
- Ethan Reeves, Fr., GK, Kennesaw, Georgia
Young Harris
- Grady Stokes, Jr., A, Queen City, Arizona (2025 second team All-Conference Carolinas)
- Colburn Connelly, Sr., M, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
- Evan Anderson, Sr., F, Canton, Ga.
