WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Atlantic-10 Conference has released its men's lacrosse preseason poll and preseason all-conference team for the 2026 season. After rounding out the first season with first-year Head Coach John Crawley in 2025, High Point was picked second in the 2026 poll for the first time since joining the A10. HPU finished the 2025 season with a 7-9 record and 3-2 record in league play and placed second during the A-10 regular season. Two Panthers were named to the A-10 Preseason All-Conference team including, goalkeeper Zack Overend and faceoff specialist Luca Accardo.

Zack Overend – Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference (goalkeeper)
Overend appeared in all 16 games, making 14 starts in goal for the Panthers during the 2025 season. He led the league in saves with 195 saves and finished third in the league with a .544 save percentage. He broke the HPU program record with 23 saves, helping the Panthers knock-off No. 14 Saint Joseph's for its second win over a ranked opponent during season. He surpassed Tim Troutner, Jr. (2019 alum) who set a program and SoCon Championship record with 22 saves versus Jacksonville in 2018. Along with his 23 saves, Overend registered a career-best .719 save percentage after facing 52 shots, 32 of which were on goal. His .719 save percentage ranks second all-time in program history in a single game (min. 10 saves). Adding to his stats, he picked up 37 ground balls including a season-high five versus Robert Morris (Feb. 15).
 
During the week of April 21-April 27 he was named to the USILA team of the week for the first time in his career, becoming the fourth player in program history to be named to the USILA Team of the Week. He was also named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week during that same stretch. Following the 2025 season, Overend was named to the A10 Second Team All-Conference and to the All-Championship team. This is the first preseason award of his career.
 
Luca Accardo - Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference (faceoff)
Accardo appeared in all 16 games at the faceoff during his junior year for the Panthers. He was an Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference selection and named to the A10 All-Championship team. He led the Atlantic 10 with 218 faceoff wins (218-351) on a .620 win percentage, setting the HPU single-season faceoff win record. In the A10 semifinals he tied the single-game record going 22-27 from the X, with a career-high 16 ground balls, leading HPU to a victory over Saint Joseph's (May 1). His 16 ground balls were second all-time in program history in a single-game.

Accardo led the A10 in ground balls with 154 to average 9.63 per game, dominating the league by 50+ ground balls. His 154 ground balls also set the single-season program record. He finished the regular season ranked third overall in the NCAA in ground balls per game (8.93 pg). Adding to his stats, he scored three goals during the season including the game winner versus Hobart (Mar. 29). This was Accardo's second time being named a preseason all-conference recipient.
 

MLAX Preseason Poll
 

1. Richmond – 47 (6)
2. High Point – 34

            Saint Joseph's – 34 (1)

4. Delaware – 28
5. Massachusetts – 27
6. Hobart – 19
7. St. Bonaventure – 7

*Number in parenthesis denotes first-place votes
 
MLAX Preseason All-Conference
 
ATTACK
Lucas Littlejohn, Richmond
Aidan O'Neil, Richmond
Ben Dutton, Saint Joseph's
 
MIDFIELD
David Peterkin, Hobart
Jack Pilling, Richmond
Joe Sheridan, Richmond
 
DEFENSE
Kyle Swanson, Massachusetts
Hunter Smith, Richmond
Liam Quinn, Saint Joseph's
 
FACE OFF SPECIALIST
Luca Accardo, High Point
 
LONG STICK MIDFIELDER
Danny Gaalaas, Saint Joseph's
 
GOALKEEPER
Zack Overend, High Point
Tommy Gross, Saint Joseph's
 

High Point opened the 2026 season against VMI on February 7 after weather conditions canceled the season-opener at Navy on January 31. HPU travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday, February 13 for a matchup with No. 6 UNC.