NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. -- After establishing a new benchmark for success during the 2026 campaign, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team concluded the year ranked 12th in the final IWLCA National Coaches Poll, which was released by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association on Tuesday.

The No. 12 position marks the highest attained by the Captains in program history. Previously, the squad climbed as high as 13th in the national poll on April 30, 2013. 

Additionally, it stands as the highest end-of-year ranking in school history, besting the 2024 team, which ended the season slotted 15th in the country. Overall, this year's crew is the fifth CNU squad to cap off a year ranked in the top-25. In addition to the most recent teams, Christopher Newport finished 24th in 2023, 22nd in 2021, and 16th in 2013.

This year's squad made its first appearance in the poll on March 16 when the Captains climbed to 25th in the nation. After that point, CNU was a mainstay in the rankings while holding down a position in the final nine polls of the season.

Entering the NCAA Tournament ranked 22nd in the country, the Captains went on a run for the record books. During the playoffs, Christopher Newport advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in school history after knocking off Meredith, Washington and Lee, and Denison. Adding another level of difficulty to that stretch, CNU became only the second program in the country since 2021 to reach the Quarterfinals without the benefit of a bye or home game in the postseason.

For that performance, the squad earned universal praise while jumping up 10 spots in the final IWLCA National Coaches Poll.

Along with the Captains, Middlebury secured the top position in the rankings after winning its fifth straight national title. Wesleyan, Tufts, Salisbury, and Trinity rounded out the top-five.

During the year, Christopher Newport knocked off four teams that eventually finished the season ranked in the top-25. Among their vanquished foes in the NCAA Tournament, the Captains beat No. 9 Denison and No. 15 Washington and Lee. Meanwhile, in the regular season, CNU upended No. 8 York (Pa.) on March 21 and No. 22 Haverford on March 11.

In the end, Christopher Newport punctuated 2026 with a 16-7 record, including a 9-1 mark at home. The 16 total victories were the second-most in a single season in school history, falling just shy of the 2013 squad's 18-3 ledger.

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