NAPERVILLE — The 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s lacrosse season is underway following a two-week stretch of non-conference competition. Early results have included record-setting individual efforts and notable defensive performances.
 
Spence Sets Early Standard in Elmhurst Win at Centre
Elmhurst opened the season as the preseason CCIW favorite after receiving four first-place votes in the conference coaches’ poll. The Bluejays began the year last Saturday with a 17-11 road victory over Centre in Danville, Ky.
 
Senior attacker Eli Spence produced 12 points on five goals and seven assists. His seventh point of the contest established a new Elmhurst program record for career points, which now stands at 295.
 
Elmhurst trailed 7-6 at halftime before a seven-goal third quarter shifted momentum and created separation. Sophomore Brent Diehl finished with four goals and two assists, while Charlie Ferree added four goals. Goalkeeper Andrew Lacksonen recorded 14 saves.
 
Illinois Wesleyan Defense Establishes Program Record
Illinois Wesleyan, selected second in the league’s preseason poll, opened the season with a split while posting notable defensive totals. The Titans earned an 11-10 win over Colorado College last Friday after overcoming a four-goal deficit. Noah Dretzka and Jake Kahoun scored three goals apiece in the victory.
 
Last Sunday, IWU fell 13-12 to Southwestern in a game that ended a 27-game home winning streak. The contest also produced a program milestone, as the Titans set a school record with 32 caused turnovers.
 
Senior defender Billy McHugh contributed to the two-game stretch with seven caused turnovers and six ground balls, earning CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week recognition. Sophomore goalkeeper Jaymeson Zackery totaled 16 saves against Colorado College and added a career-high six caused turnovers versus Southwestern. 
 
Through the first two weeks, Illinois Wesleyan led the nation in caused turnovers per game (24.0), with six Titans recording at least two caused turnovers in the early portion of the schedule.
 
Carthage and Augustana Open with Splits
Carthage began its season on Feb. 7 with a 10-2 road win over MSOE. Collin McClure scored three goals and goalkeeper Jake Williamson made 13 saves. The Firebirds dropped a 13-11 decision to Lake Forest last Saturday, receiving hat tricks from Jake Westland and Kyle Carollo. Westland recorded six points in the Lake Forest game and ranked 25th nationally in assists per game at the early-season checkpoint.
 
Augustana also opened with a split. The Vikings earned a 7-6 road win at Heidelberg last Saturday. Freshman Nik Schaafsma led Augustana with two goals and two assists, while goalkeeper Hagan Quigley posted 17 saves. On Wednesday, Augustana was shut out in a 13-0 loss at Benedictine. Quigley recorded 13 saves.
 
Early National Rankings and Goalkeeping Notes
CCIW individuals appeared across the NCAA Division III statistical rankings through the first two weeks. Elmhurst’s Eli Spence ranked second nationally in points per game (12.0) and assists per game (7.0). Elmhurst’s Gabe Henry ranked second in caused turnovers per game (6.0) and Tony Vazquez ranked fifth in face-off winning percentage (.821).
 
In goal, Augustana’s Hagan Quigley led the conference and ranked 26th nationally with 15.0 saves per game. Carthage’s Jake Williamson posted the league’s top goals-against average at 8.38, ranking 41st nationally. Carroll goalkeeper Jonas Malmanger recorded 28 saves while facing 60 shots in Wednesday’s loss to Concordia Wisconsin. Carroll also played an 11-10 double-overtime loss to MSOE earlier in the week.
 
Overtime Result for Carroll and Upcoming Schedule Notes
Carroll’s 11-10 double-overtime loss to MSOE last Saturday included a comeback after the Pioneers trailed 10-3 in the second quarter. Carroll scored seven goals to tie the game in regulation before the decision in the second extra period. Brady Conwell paced the rally with three goals and one assist.
 
Entering the final weekend of February, Elmhurst sat atop the conference standings with a 1.000 winning percentage. Augustana, Carthage and Illinois Wesleyan were each 1-1 (.500). 
 
North Central Cremained the final CCIW men’s program to debut, with its first scheduled contest set for Saturday. Other upcoming contests include Carroll at Trine and Carthage hosting DePauw on Saturday. Augustana is scheduled to visit Earlham, while Elmhurst travels to Denison for another road test. Illinois Wesleyan will host Aurora on Saturday afternoon.