MLAX: Rivier Completes Undefeated Regular Season; Will Be Top Seed In Upcoming Tournament
Winthrop, Mass. - Rivier went on a tear in regular season play as the Raiders earned the top seed in the upcoming Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament after going 15-0 overall and 11-0 in conference play. Rivier will look to repeat after claiming last postseason’s crown.
At the two seed is the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), who went 13-2 overall and 10-1 in GNAC play with their lone loss to the Raiders. The Blue Jays will look to claim their spot at the top again after winning in 2024.
At no. 3 is Lasell, who finished 13-7 (8-3 GNAC) in regular season play. The Lasers will look to avenge last postseason’s championship loss as they fell short to Rivier and will look to claim their first title since 2021.
At no. 4 is Emmanuel, who finished 8-8 (7-4 GNAC), as they will look to contend and search for their first title since 2023.
At no. 5 is Norwich, who finished 8-7 (7-4 GNAC), as they will also look to contend and search for their first title since 2022.
At no. 6 is Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, who finished 9-8 (7-4 GNAC) with the Monks searching for their first quest at a title.
Dean (No. 7) finished 9-6 (6-5 GNAC) and Regis (no. 8) filled in the final spot at 4-7 in conference play (5-8 overall).
At the 4-6 spot, the three teams that finished 7-4 (Norwich, Emmanuel, and SJC) all needed to be separated via the league’s tiebreaker criteria. The first step was head to head in which all teams went 1-1 against each other. Because that tie couldn’t be broken, the next step was results versus highest-ranked teams in which all three did not defeat the top 2 seeds but then Emmanuel’s overtime victory in conference play over Lasell gave them the separating advantage and the four seed.
After that, Norwich and Saint Joseph’s Maine were placed fifth and sixth based on the Cadets’ head-to-head victory over the Monks earlier in the season.
Tournament play will begin Saturday, April 25 with quarterfinals play, followed by semifinals which is set for Wednesday, April 29. The Championship game will be held on the following Saturday, May 2 with the winner being crowned the 2026 GNAC Men's Lacrosse Champion and earning the league's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship.
View the playoff schedule below for more info:
2026 GNAC Men's Lacrosse Tournament Schedule
Quarterfinals – Saturday, April 25
(Hosted by higher seeds)
#1 Rivier vs. #8 Regis, 12 PM
#2 University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) vs. #7 Dean, tbd
#3 Lasell vs. #6 Saint Joseph’s (Maine), tbd
#4 Emmanuel vs. #5 Norwich, 10 am
Semifinals - Wednesday, April 29
(Hosted by remaining higher seeds)
Winner of 1/8 vs. Winner of 4/5, TBD
Winner of 2/7 vs. Winner of 3/6, TBD
Championship – Saturday, May 2
(Hosted by highest remaining seed)
Semifinals Winners, TBD
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The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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