HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Hampden-Sydney College has been picked fifth in the 2026 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll, garnering 70 points among 11 schools. The Tigers concluded 2025 with a final record of 12-6 overall and 7-3 in the ODAC, finishing in fourth place.
 
The University of Lynchburg was selected in the top spot, securing 97 points and seven of the 11 first-place votes. Defending ODAC champions Washington and Lee were picked second with 94 points and the remaining four first-place votes. Rounding out the top five is Randolph-Macon College in third with 75 points, Roanoke College in fourth with 74 points, and H-SC in fifth with 70 points. Following the Tigers are Shenandoah University in sixth (53), Bridgewater College in seventh (44), Virginia Wesleyan University in eighth (41), Guilford (NC) College in ninth (25), Averett University in 10th (19), and Randolph College in 11th (13).
 
H-SC returns 46 lettermen, including seven starters, and 22 lettermen who played in 50 percent or more of the games in 2025. Among the returners, four earned Second Team All-ODAC honors in seniors Patrick Hanes (Raleigh, NC) and Tyler Steele (Pinehurst, NC), junior Kavin Wood (Cary, NC), and freshman Cole Palmer (Atlanta, GA), who also earned Rookie of the Year honors, and two earned Third Team All-ODAC honors in senior Davis Mack (Henrico) and sophomore Broder Conley (Duluth, GA). The Garnet and Grey add 20 freshmen to a talented roster.
 
The Tigers are led by 10th-year head lacrosse coach Jason Rostan '03, and is joined this season by fifth-year assistant Paul Amos '92, third-year assistant Jared Krikorian, and first-year assistant Cole Hogan.
 
H-SC will open its 2025 campaign on the friendly confines of the Hill when it hosts nationally ranked No. 3 Christopher Newport University on Saturday, February 7, at 12 p.m.