PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Western Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team claimed the top spot in the annual preseason coaches' poll by a single point over UMass Boston. The defending Little East Conference (LEC) regular season and tournament champion Wolves totaled 60 points and four first-place votes, while the 2025 regular season and tournament runner-up Beacons tallied 59 points and three first-place votes. 

Plymouth State University secured third-place in the preseason ranking by a single points over Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Keene State College and Eastern Connecticut State University round out the projected 2026 LEC Championship Tournament field. 

The complete results of the 2026 LEC Men's Lacrosse Preaseason Coaches' Poll are as follows. 

Institution - Points (FPV)
1. Western Connecticut - 60 (4)
2. UMass Boston - 59 (3)
3. Plymouth State - 46 (1)
4. Massachusetts Maritime - 45 (1)
5. Keene State - 40
6. Eastern Connecticut - 28
7. Salem State - 19
8. Vermont State Castleton - 17
9. Southern Maine - 10