The Yale men’s lacrosse team was unanimously named the 2026 New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division I champions, according to a May 4 announcement by the organization. The Bulldogs received all first-place votes and are the only remaining New England team competing in the NCAA tournament.
This recognition comes as Yale prepares to face No. 8 Syracuse, seeded sixth, in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday, May 10 at 5 p.m. The Bulldogs enter postseason play with a record of nine wins and five losses overall, including four wins and two losses in Ivy League competition.
Yale’s season began with challenges, opening with three wins and four losses overall and an Ivy League record of zero wins and two losses. Despite having a young roster that includes thirteen first-year players, Head Coach Andy Shay led the team to win six out of their next seven games. This stretch included key victories over nationally ranked opponents such as No. 9 Cornell (13–12), No. 5 Harvard (15–9), and No. 18 Boston University (16–11).
These successes helped Yale secure the third seed in the Ivy League Tournament and earn an at-large bid to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2023. In their most recent game, Yale narrowly lost to Princeton—the Ivy League champion and top national seed—by a score of twelve to ten in the league tournament semifinals.
Looking ahead, Yale will continue its postseason run as it faces Syracuse on May 10.
