The 19th-ranked Middlebury men’s lacrosse team begins its season with a trip to Maine, squaring off against #5 Bowdoin on Saturday, February 28. The Panthers follow a campaign that featured a NESCAC Semifinal appearance and a third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. The squad welcomes back a strong nucleus while adding 15 first-year players.

Middlebury returns several pillars of the defensive zone, beginning with goalie Hayden Kern. The 2024 USILA All-American Honorable Mention started all 18 contests a year ago, accumulating over 1,034 minutes while posting a top-five goals against average (GAA) in the NESCAC (10.67). Drew Dummer helps anchor the unit after logging a team-high 20 caused turnovers with 18 ground balls last season. He enters the 2026 slate fourth on the program’s career caused turnovers list with 57.

J.D. Farkas provides a consistent short-stick defensive presence after eclipsing 100 career ground balls last spring. Justin DeLucia tallied the third-most ground balls among returning Panthers (35), while causing five turnovers during his sophomore campaign.

Cooper DeMallie headlines the offensive midfield group. The captain posted seven multi-goal efforts, with his 24 markers ranking second on the squad. At the faceoff dot, Noah Filippelli steps into a larger role after winning 54.8 percent of his attempts a season ago.

The Middlebury attack looks to Logan White and Will Ford for increased contributions in the new slate. White finished third on the team in goals (23), assists (14) and points (37), while posting an impressive four-game streak of hat tricks. Ford tallied 14 goals and a trio of helpers with consecutive three-goal efforts against Tufts and Trinity.

Campbell '00 embarks on his 20th season as head coach of the men’s lacrosse program. Evan Lombardo and Gus Brakeley return to the staff.