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Lacrosse

VMI Lacrosse picked fifth in NEC preseason poll

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. – After barely missing out on qualifying for the NEC Tournament a year ago, the VMI Lacrosse team has been slated to finish fifth in the 2026 Northeast Conference Men's Lacrosse preseason poll released Wednesday.
 
Defending league champion Robert Morris was tabbed to finish first with six first-place votes followed by LIU with two first-place tallies. Le Moyne was predicted to finish third followed by Detroit Mercy, which made it all the way to the NEC Tournament title game in 2025.

Full NEC Press Release
 
VMI was picked to finish ahead of Cleveland State, Mercyhurst and Wagner.
 
The Keydets enter the 2026 campaign under first-year Head Coach Taylor Mendoza, who inherits a program that went 10-4 last season to mark VMI's best win total in 37 years.
 
A number of key contributors return from that squad including a number of offensive and defensive players with significant playing experience as well as faceoff specialist Jack Rogers.
 
Senior midfielder Austin English ranked second on the team in points last season with 51 on 38 goals and 13 assists, while junior Dayton Bagwell finished the year ranked third with 48 points on 41 goals and seven assists.
 
Junior Ty Yonas returns after playing nine games a year ago before suffering a season-ending injury. He scored eight goals in 2025 to go with 13 assists for a combined 21 points.
 
Senior starting goalie Adam Norris played a reserve role for the Keydets in 2025 but looks to finish his career strong in the cage after excellent freshman and sophomore seasons in 2023 and 2024.
 
The Keydets begin the 2026 season at home this Sunday with a 12 p.m. matchup against St. Bonaventure at Drill Field #2.
 
 
2026 NEC Men's Lacrosse Poll
1. Robert Morris (6)
2. LIU (2)
3. Le Moyne
4. Detroit Mercy
5. VMI
6. Cleveland State
7. Mercyhurst
8. Wagner





 
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Players Mentioned

Dayton Bagwell

#55 Dayton Bagwell

A/M
6' 0"
Sophomore
Austin English

#7 Austin English

M
6' 0"
Junior
Adam Norris

#26 Adam Norris

GK
6' 0"
Junior
Jack Rogers

#13 Jack Rogers

FO
5' 8"
Junior
Ty Yonas

#22 Ty Yonas

A/M
5' 11"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Dayton Bagwell

#55 Dayton Bagwell

6' 0"
Sophomore
A/M
Austin English

#7 Austin English

6' 0"
Junior
M
Adam Norris

#26 Adam Norris

6' 0"
Junior
GK
Jack Rogers

#13 Jack Rogers

5' 8"
Junior
FO
Ty Yonas

#22 Ty Yonas

5' 11"
Sophomore
A/M