The 10 Must-See Matchups On The Boston U Lacrosse 2026 Schedule: A Deep Dive Into The Terriers' Season
The 2026 Boston University Lacrosse season is set to be one of the most anticipated campaigns in the program's history, promising a grueling slate of non-conference challenges and the always-intense Patriot League schedule. As of December 23, 2025, the Terriers have finalized their full schedules for both the Men's and Women's teams, laying out a path filled with high-stakes matchups that will test their national standing from the very first whistle. Fans should prepare for a season that begins in the dead of winter and runs through the spring, featuring elite opponents and critical home-field battles at Nickerson Field.
The Men’s program, under long-time Head Coach Ryan Polley, is looking to build on its recent success, including a Patriot League title game appearance in 2024, by facing a non-conference schedule that includes a Final Four contender. The Women’s team, led by Head Coach Lauren Morton, is also poised for a major push, having scheduled 16 total contests in their 39th season, with a strong core of returning talent ready to take on the best of the Northeast and beyond.
The Men's Lacrosse 2026 Gauntlet: Key Players and Full Schedule Breakdown
The Boston University Men's Lacrosse program, a consistent Patriot League contender, will be led by Head Coach Ryan Polley, who has been at the helm since the program's inception in 2014. Polley, alongside Assistant Coaches Jack Rowlett and Mike Morgan, has assembled a formidable roster. The team's offensive firepower will be anchored by two key returning senior attackers: Jimmy Kohr (#14), a prolific scorer from York, Pa., and Jimmy O'Connell, a Second Team All-Patriot League selection in 2025. Other critical entities on the 2026 roster expected to make an impact include Kabran Clark, Timothy Shannehan, and defender Ethan Hart.
Top 5 Men's Lacrosse Matchups You Cannot Miss
The 2026 schedule is backloaded with tough tests, both in and out of the Patriot League. These five games are the Terriers' biggest proving grounds:
- February 1: At Syracuse (Non-Conference)
The season begins with a massive road test against the Orange, a team that reached the NCAA Final Four the previous year. This early-season clash is a crucial barometer for BU's national aspirations. - February 7: vs. Siena (Home Opener)
The Terriers return to Nickerson Field for their highly anticipated home opener. This game against Siena will be the first chance for the Boston faithful to see the 2026 squad in action. - March 24: vs. Harvard (Non-Conference)
A classic Boston-area rivalry game. The Charles River rivalry always delivers high intensity, and a home win against the Crimson is essential for regional bragging rights and RPI. - April 4: At Loyola Maryland (Patriot League)
The Greyhounds are a perennial power in the Patriot League. This road trip to Baltimore will be a pivotal mid-season conference contest with significant implications for the Patriot League Tournament seeding. - TBA: vs. Georgetown (Non-Conference)
Facing the Hoyas, another national contender, will be a major test of the team's defensive and offensive depth. This game is often a clash of styles and a highlight of the non-conference slate.
Other notable non-conference opponents include Rutgers (Jan 24), Dartmouth (Feb 15), Yale, and Brown University (Mar 14). The full Patriot League slate also features crucial battles against Army, Navy, Lehigh, Colgate, Bucknell, Holy Cross, and Lafayette.
The Women's Lacrosse 2026 Campaign: Roster Depth and Patriot League Ambitions
The Boston University Women's Lacrosse team is entering its 39th season with high expectations under Head Coach Lauren Morton. Morton, a former BU All-American (CAS '08), is now in her eighth season leading the program, supported by Assistant Coach Brindi Griffin. The Terriers have a veteran-heavy squad, returning 22 players, including 18 who saw action last season. The offense will be spearheaded by Elle Stevenson, the leading returning scorer from the previous year with 27 goals. The roster also features key players such as Karina Harrison, Alex Cutone, Addison Boyd, Addie Pyy, Eva Chouinard, Izabella Amonte, Jayne Feeney, and Nia Carrera.
5 High-Stakes Women's Lacrosse Games to Circle
The women's 16-game schedule is designed to prepare the team for a deep run in the Patriot League Tournament, featuring a mix of regional rivals and national challenges:
- February 6: vs. New Hampshire (Home Opener)
The season kicks off at home against New Hampshire, marking the first of 16 scheduled contests. - February 7: vs. Florida (Non-Conference)
A major non-conference test early in the season, facing the Gators will immediately challenge the Terriers' defensive unit and midfield transition game. - February 11: At Stonehill (Non-Conference)
This local road game is the start of a tough four-game road swing for the Terriers, requiring them to quickly adjust to playing away from Nickerson Field. - February 14: At Fairfield (Non-Conference)
Part of the early road stretch, this matchup against the Stags is a key mid-February game to secure a strong non-conference record before the Patriot League season begins. - TBA: Patriot League Showdowns
While the full Patriot League schedule dates are pending, games against conference rivals like Loyola Maryland, Army West Point, and Navy are always the most critical for securing a tournament berth.
Topical Authority: The Patriot League Landscape in 2026
Both the Men's and Women's Boston University Lacrosse teams compete in the highly competitive Patriot League, which is consistently ranked among the top conferences in NCAA Division I lacrosse. The conference features traditional powerhouses that make every league game a must-win scenario for the Terriers.
For the Men's team, the Patriot League is a minefield of talent, with teams like Loyola Maryland, Army West Point, and Lehigh consistently vying for the top spot. Head Coach Ryan Polley's success in guiding the team to its second Patriot League title game appearance in three years (in the 2024 campaign) demonstrates the program's ability to compete at the highest level within the league. The key to the 2026 season will be dominating the league's mid-tier teams—Colgate, Bucknell, Lafayette, and Holy Cross—to secure a top-four seed and home-field advantage in the Patriot League Tournament.
The Women's team faces a similar challenge, with rivals like Loyola and Boston College (a frequent regional opponent) setting a high bar for competition. The women's program will focus on utilizing the experience of its returning players, particularly the offensive synergy between veterans like Elle Stevenson and the incoming class, to navigate the challenging conference schedule and make a strong push for the Patriot League Championship.
The atmosphere at Nickerson Field, the home turf for both teams, is expected to be electric for the major home games, especially the rivalry contests and the early-season non-conference battles. The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining year for Boston University Lacrosse, where success will be measured by their performance against the nation's elite and their ability to secure a Patriot League title.
Detail Author:
- Name : Bryce Koelpin
- Username : ulockman
- Email : dpfannerstill@ledner.com
- Birthdate : 1976-07-16
- Address : 76280 Johns Road Apt. 477 East Blairhaven, AZ 02086
- Phone : +1-847-541-0150
- Company : Parisian, Streich and Langworth
- Job : Commercial Pilot
- Bio : Deserunt omnis iure perferendis veritatis voluptas. Error non natus dolorem rerum. Quia asperiores tempore odit saepe.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/thalia_id
- username : thalia_id
- bio : Reiciendis commodi saepe nobis eum earum fugit eius voluptates.
- followers : 3066
- following : 2464
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/thaliawisozk
- username : thaliawisozk
- bio : Nobis est ea quia quo itaque cumque.
- followers : 1447
- following : 517
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/thaliawisozk
- username : thaliawisozk
- bio : Dicta odit et similique dicta deleniti rerum id. Unde dolor cupiditate ea et dolores et molestiae unde. Nulla incidunt in tempore quia qui non.
- followers : 1239
- following : 1630
