NAPERVILLE — The Carthage College men's lacrosse team was picked third in the 2026 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Preseason Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Thursday.

Elmhurst collected four first-place votes and led the poll with 24 points, followed by Illinois Wesleyan with two first-place votes and 22 points. Carthage finished third with 17 points. Carroll (Wis.) and North Central (Ill.) tied for fourth with 11 points apiece, while Augustana rounded out the poll with five points. A year ago, Carthage finished the season 11-5 and 2-2 in conference play. 

Under the direction of head coach David Neff, in his 18th year, the Firebirds open the 2026 season with a nonconference slate, beginning at MSOE on Feb. 7 before returning to Kenosha for a three-game homestand at Art Keller Field. The Firebirds host Lake Forest College on Feb. 14, DePauw on Feb. 21, and Dubuque on Feb. 22.

Carthage returns to the road for midweek matchups at Edgewood on Feb. 25 and DuPage on Feb. 28, then heads to Michigan for consecutive games at Hope on March 6 and Calvin on March 7. The Firebirds close the nonconference portion of the schedule with a road contest at Lawrence on March 11, followed by a home matchup against Concordia (Wis.) on March 14 and a road game at Albion on March 21. Carthage wraps up nonleague play March 25 with a home contest against Kalamazoo before traveling to Transylvania on March 28.

Conference play begins April 4 when the Firebirds host Augustana (Ill.) at Art Keller Field. Carthage then faces back-to-back road tests at North Central (Ill.) on April 11 and Illinois Wesleyan University on April 18. The Firebirds close the regular season with two home conference games, hosting Elmhurst on April 22 and Carroll (Wis.) on April 25.