Taylor Makes History with No. 10 Preseason Rank
UPLAND, Ind. – For the first time in program history the Taylor men's lacrosse team has a number next to its name, after earning the No. 10 ranking in the NAIA Top-10 Preseason Poll announced on Wednesday.
The Trojans had received votes outside of the Top-10 in 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025 but had not climbed above the RV portion of the poll, having never been better than the 12th-highest point total.
Taylor collected 15 points in Wednesday's preseason poll, tying with fellow Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference foe, Lawrence Tech, for the final spot in the NAIA Top-10. The No. 10 national ranking is Taylor's best in program history, while its 15 points earned in the poll is the second-best total behind the 30 earned in a poll in 2024.
TU enters the 2026 campaign on the heels of a 7-8 record last season, returning 17-of-27 members from that squad and eight-of-10 starters. That group is highlighted by returning All-WHAC standouts Henry Cooper, Jackson Dale and Lucas Pacer.
In addition to the No. 10 NAIA ranking, the Trojans were recently selected fourth in the WHAC, trailing only No. 2 Madonna, No. 6 Indiana Tech and No. 8 Aquinas in the league's preseason poll.
No. 10 Taylor will open its season on Saturday with a non-league road test at No. 4 Webber International beginning at 1:00 pm in Babson, Florida.