By Lila Shortell

The 2026 season brings high expectations for Greensboro College’s men’s lacrosse team. After a competitive 2025 season with a 6-12 record overall and 3-5 in conference, the Pride return to the field with a blend of veteran leadership and young talent. With key contributors back on Pride Field and a promising group of freshmen and transfers stepping in, Greensboro shows promise to take a step forward this spring.

Much of the team’s optimism comes from its returning core. Experienced players such as junior Guy Galardi, senior Will Pailthorpe and sophomore Quinton Solomon give the midfield the stability they need with their physicality and field awareness. On the offensive end, junior Alex Mattoon and senior Justin Barry return as scoring threats capable of creating great opportunities in tight spaces. Defensively, players like junior Colin Byrne anchor the back line with experience and communication that will be crucial in competitive conference matchups. This veteran presence gives Greensboro a foundation of consistency that should translate into stronger performances.

“I am very confident with the group of returners we have especially on the offensive end as most of them have been playing together for a couple of years now and work really well together,” said junior Riley Taff. “This also makes it easier for the new guys on offense to fit right in and play well as a unit. As for the defensive returners, we have a good core group that will stick together and help the newer pieces grow as players and will overall make our defense better.”

At the same time, the Pride welcome an infusion of new talent that could reshape the team’s depth and pace. A group of seven freshmen – including Daniel Stanley, Hondo Garcia, Brendan Ray, Nick Scott, Jack Steele, Jon Schwartzel and Nathan Foncilus – add speed and competition across multiple positions.

“My class can contribute by learning from the best and helping us be better,” said freshman Jack Steele about what this class can add to the team. “Plus, it allows us to bond more on the fact that we want to get better and push ourselves.”

Their development will be key as the season progresses, especially in maintaining intensity through a conference like ours. In addition to the freshman class, junior transfer Braeden Mitchell from Wilmington University in goal and senior Seth Woods from Guilford College in the attack. Both have already made huge contributions to the team three games into the season, with Mitchell having 26 saves and Woods with 15 goals and 10 assists. Their presence not only strengthens positional depth but also adds maturity to a youthful roster.

With a mix of experienced returners and promising newcomers, the team is focused on playing mature.

“We have got to grow up, we have got to play smart lacrosse and we are not quite there yet. So, it is just limiting mistakes, because we are good. So, we are just going to clean stuff up and play mistake-free lacrosse,” said head coach Nate Bates.

This year has already started steady with a 3-0 record, and the Pride takes on Marymount University at home on March 1. With a balanced roster and growing momentum, the 2026 season represents an opportunity for the Pride to turn potential into progress. The combination of experience, depth and determination could make this one of Greensboro’s most competitive seasons in recent years.