Perhaps there was just a small doubt about Tufts’ ability win a third straight NCAA Division III national championship. After all, Bowdoin gave them all they could handle in April.
But the Jumbos recovered from that loss to win the final eight games of the season — including the national championship game — by at least four goals. Naturally, Tufts ends 2026 at No. 1 in the USA Lacrosse Division III Men’s Top 20, presented by CWENCH Hydration.
RIT, the Jumbos’ opponent in the national title game, finishes the season No. 2. The Tigers came on strong down the stretch, shaking off consecutive losses in April to win eight straight games and book a title game trip. They beat Bowdoin in the NCAA semifinals, and the Polar Bears placed third in this final ranking.
Wesleyan (No. 4) and Christopher Newport (No. 5) round out the top five.
USA LACROSSE DIVISION III
MEN’S TOP 20
1. Tufts
2. RIT
3. Bowdoin
4. Wesleyan
5. Christopher Newport
6. Salisbury
7. York
8. Washington and Lee
9. Babson
10. Lynchburg
11. Stevens
12. Gettysburg
13. Bates
14. Middlebury
15. Dickinson
16. Hope
17. Amherst
18. Williams
19. St. John Fisher
20. Grove City
