NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison lacrosse opens the 2026 season ranked No.19 in the nation in the first IWLCA poll of the year, the organization announced on Monday.
JMU’s No.19 ranking is one spot higher than USA Lacrosse Magazine’s preseason ranking, which had the Dukes placed at No. 20. The Dukes will matchup with four opponents who are also ranked in the preseason IWLCA poll: North Carolina (No. 1), Maryland (No. 7), Johns Hopkins (No. 8), and Virginia (No. 10).
James Madison will open its season with a pair of matchups at Sentara Park, hosting the defending national champions, No. 1 North Carolina, on Saturday, Feb. 7, at noon, and Virginia Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m.
— JMU Athletics —
