LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After advancing to the Elite Eight for the sixth straight season, the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team wrapped up the 2026 campaign ranked fifth in the final USILA National Coaches Poll, which was released by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association on Monday afternoon.

In the poll, the Captains earned 368 points, which tied them with Babson for fifth in the final standings. Meanwhile, Tufts secured the No. 1 spot, while RIT, Bowdoin, and Wesleyan followed in immediate succession.

Christopher Newport secured its spot in the top-five after finishing the year with an 18-4 record while making a run to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Along the way, the squad battled seven teams that finished in the top-25 of the USILA National Coaches Poll, including four top-10 foes.

Facing one of the most challenging schedules in the country, CNU posted a win over No. 8 Salisbury and a pair of triumphs against No. 9 Washington and Lee. The squad also defeated No. 16 Gettysburg and No. 18 Amherst while squaring off against No. 1 Tufts, No. 4 Wesleyan and No. 12 Lynchburg as well.

In addition to the nationally-ranked opponents, Christopher Newport also knocked off Grove City, Pfeiffer, and Roanoke, who all received votes in the final poll.

In the end, CNU finished the season ranked 13th nationally in winning percentage with a sterling .818 mark. The squad was also second in takeaways-per-game (15.55), fifth in clearing percentage (.904), and 21st in man-down defense (.803), while the team's 307 saves established a new school record and marked the highest total in the NCAA.

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