Aquinas (Mich.) and Madonna (Mich.) Highlight 2026 Men’s Lacrosse All-American Honors and Special Awards

DECATUR, Ala. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announces the 2026 NAIA Men’s Lacrosse All-Americans ahead of the second annual national championship getting underway from Jack Allen Sports Complex on Tuesday, May 12. Among the three All-American teams this season, the NAIA announced the 2026 Men’s Lacrosse Player of the Year and 2026 Men’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year.

The 2026 NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Player of the Year is TJ Murphy of Aquinas (Mich.). The 5-foot-9 junior attacker has put away 61 goals heading into the national tournament, with 30 assists. He ranks fourth in the association for points this season at 91. The Saints attackman isn’t scared to take shots either, as the Kalamazoo, Mich. native ranks ninth in total shots at 157 and seventh in shots on goal with 99.

The 2026 NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year is Carlos Matta of Madonna (Mich.). Matta’s fourth year at the helm of the Crusaders men’s lacrosse squad adds another accolade to his list of honors after leading MU to a national tournament berth with a record of 18-1, securing the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference championship back on May 2 at home. Ahead of the opening faceoff at the national tournament on Tuesday, May 12, head coach Matta and company rank first in the association in 11 categories, including man-up goals, man-down goals, clear percentage, caused turnovers, total goals, and goals per game.

Madonna leads the nation in representation across the three All-American teams, posting seven student-athletes, while Keiser (Fla.) followed with five student-athletes. SCAD Savannah (Ga.) and William Penn (Iowa) both garnered four All-American honors, while Indian Tech and Aquinas are represented by three honorees. Benedictine (Kan.) also earned two All-American nods.

First Team
Name		Position
Cam Fewster		Attacker
Cooper Regimbal		Attacker
Mason Hickman		Attacker
Shane Cassidy		Defender
Danny Smith		Defender
David Nebus		Defender
Ty Grooms		Defense Mid
Elvis Syroka		Faceoff
Jonathan Bendfeldt		Goalkeeper
DeMario Williams		LSM
TJ Murphy		Midfielder
AJ Badik		Midfielder
Jackson Gradstein		Midfielder

Second Team
Name		Position
Ryan Rundle		Attacker
Rico Hart		Attacker
Kenny Bohney		Attacker
Clive Hobbs		Defender
Zach Spisz		Defender
Zach Dixon		Defender
Blake Cyboron		Defense Mid
Christofer Tyson		Faceoff
Jack Shaw		Goalkeeper
Max Standage		LSM
Jake Deacon		Midfielder
Malyke Sillers		Midfielder
Jonathan O’Bryant Graves		Midfielder

Third Team
Name		Position
Sebastian Manuel		Attacker
Jackson Dale		Attacker
Jeremiah Loo		Attacker
Jack Northrup		Defender
Andrew Dafoe		Defender
Lucas Pacer		Defender
Zach Crotwell		Defense Mid
William Larriuz		Faceoff
CJ Besuzzi		Goalkeeper
Theo Deberghes		LSM
Henry Cooper		Midfielder
Everett Breniser		Midfielder
Matt Scott		Midfielder