Middlebury Leads First Regular Season Division III Coaches Poll

IWLCA Admin, 03/02/2026, 10:01AM ET

Photo by SidelineMedia, courtesy of Middlebury Athletics.

Middlebury Leads First Regular Season Division III Coaches Poll

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass.— Middlebury opens the regular season atop the IWLCA Division III Coaches Poll, securing the No. 1 position after an 11–6 season-opening win over NESCAC foe Bowdoin. The Panthers will next face Connecticut College in conference action on March 7.

Tufts remains locked in at No. 2 following a strong showing against conference rival No. 3 Colby to open the season. The Jumbos came away with a 16–11 victory, while Colby holds steady at No. 3.

Wesleyan climbs to No. 4 after earning a season-opening win over Bates.

Salisbury rounds out the Top 5, moving up following a 13–6 victory over No. 9 Washington and Lee.

In total, 25 teams are represented in the poll, with voters—college coaches from across the nation—reflecting the latest results across women’s lacrosse. The rankings are based on weekly performances, with the poll set to be released each Monday throughout the season.

Rank Institution Last Poll
1 Middlebury 1
2 Tufts 2
3 Colby 3
4 Wesleyan 5
5 Salisbury 8
6 York (PA) 7
7 Gettysburg 4
8 Denison 10
9 Franklin & Marshall 6
10 William Smith 12
11 Washington and Lee 9
12 Pomona-Pitzer 13
13 Amherst 14
14 Stevens 15
15 TCNJ 16
16 St. John Fisher 11
17 Scranton 25
18 Babson 19
19 Messiah 24
20 Haverford 18
21 Trinity (CT) 20
22 Chicago 21
23 Rowan 17
24 Colorado College 22
25 Ithaca 23