The Aurora University Spartan men's lacrosse team, the four-time defending champion of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference has been selected as the favorite to capture the 2026 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) men's lacrosse title according to the annual preseason poll released today.

AU was unanimously picked to win while they secured 288 points in the poll, which consists of votes from the league's head men's lacrosse coaches and athletics communications professionals. The Spartans finished 14-6 overall and a perfect 11-0 in league play for a fourth consecutive year en route to a third-straight NACC Tournament title. AU fell to Ohio Northern University, 14-7, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Concordia University Wisconsin took second place in the poll with 246 points, while Lake Forest College (241 points) edged the University of Dubuque (210) for third place. 

Milwaukee School of Engineering (186) was picked fifth, followed by Illinois Institute of Technology (173), Benedictine University (162) and Edgewood University (111) round out the tournament predicted teams. While Lawrence University (101), Cornell College (72), Beloit College (48)  and Marian University (34) round out the poll.

NACC Tournament: The field for the NACC Men's Lacrosse Tournament expanded in 2025 to include the top eight teams in the final league standings. The quarterfinal round is slated for Saturday, April 25, with semifinals to follow on Wednesday, April 29. The tournament final is slated for Saturday, May 2. All tournament games will be held on campus sites. The tournament champion receives the NACC's automatic berth in the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship.
 
Next 2025 contest for AU: The Spartans open the season on Sunday, February 15 when they host Colorado College. Game time is slated to start at 1:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.

2026 NACC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll

Institution	Points
Aurora University (24)	288
Concordia Wisconsin	246
Lake Forest	241
Dubuque	210
MSOE	186
Illinois Tech	173
Benedictine	162
Edgewood	111
Lawrence	101
Cornell	72
Beloit	48
Marian	34