The Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team opens the 2026 season on Saturday, heading on the road to face #2/3 Syracuse inside the JMA Wireless Dome. Opening faceoff is set for 12 p.m.
 
Head coach Scott Meehan begins his first season at the helm of Saint Joseph's after spending the previous seven years on the Hawk staff as an assistant and associate head coach under Taylor Wray. Meehan is joined by Charlie Giunta '17, '19, who returns to his alma mater following six seasons as an assistant coach at Fairfield. Rounding out the staff are Jared McMahon (Mount St. Mary's '22) and Jack Tortolani (Denver '24), each in their first season on Hawk Hill.
 
Saint Joseph's faces a challenging slate in 2026, squaring off against six opponents ranked in the USILA Preseason Poll, along with four additional opponents receiving votes. For the full schedule, click the link here.
  
The Hawks' attack is led by reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection Ben Dutton. The sophomore is coming off a standout debut campaign in 2025, recording 47 goals and 55 points while setting freshman records in both categories at Saint Joseph's. His 47 goals ranked second-most in a single season in program history. Trae Ika returns alongside Dutton after producing a career-best season with 20 goals and four assists. Collin Campbell (7G, 5A) and Braedon Chayes (7G, 2A) will look to expand the roles with the attrition of last year's graduating class.  
 
Griffin Mallory returns to anchor the Hawk midfield, leading returning midfielders with 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) last season. Jesse Jason (19 points), Tyler Moore (14) and Carter Truesdell (11) all return after posting double-digit point totals in 2025. Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selection Christian Marchini is joined by Michael Gaughan, Jack McGorry, Aidan Kreydt and Danny Gaalaas as veteran contributors providing depth on the defensive side of the midfield.
 
Saint Joseph's looks to replace two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year Levi Verch, who was selected in both the PLL and NLL drafts following the 2025 season. Second Team All-Conference selection Liam Quinn returns, joined by fellow All-Conference honoree Ryan Bradley, who shifts deeper after spending much of his career as a long-stick midfielder. Matthew Akers also moves to defense after appearing in all but one game last season.
 
Fifteen newcomers join the Hawk roster in 2026, looking to make an immediate impact.