SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – A pair of returners for the Union College men's lacrosse team received Preseason All-America accolades as they head into the 2026 campaign, as senior John Sula and junior Nick Lynch were both recognized as one of the nation's top players at their respective positions.
 
Sula was tabbed as one of the top-eight long-stick midfielders in Division III heading into the season, earning Preseason All-America honorable mention from both Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse Magazine. As a junior, the Hingham, Mass., product was recognized by the USILA and USA Lacrosse Magazine for the second straight season with All-America honorable mention as well as earning a second straight All-Liberty League first-team nod. Sula ranked top-three on the team with 41 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers in 2025, while also scoring a career-high two goals and adding two assists. He recorded at least one grounder in every game and enters his senior season 13th in program history with 144 career ground balls.

Lynch was recognized as a top-10 goaltender nationally with a USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-America honorable mention, his first career preseason nod. The native of Madison, Conn., stepped into the starting role between the pipes and had a solid season for Union as a sophomore, earning All-Liberty League honorable mention after posting a .592 save percentage and 11.81 goals against average in 12 starts. The sophomore led the conference and ranked 12th nationally by averaging 16.7 saves per game, including a stretch of three straight 20-plus save outings, and also ranked 17th in Division III in save percentage.
 
Union will kick off the 2026 season on Wednesday with a 4 p.m. matchup against Bates College at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.  The challenging 2026 slate features six games against teams in the USILA preseason national poll and four teams receiving votes in the USILA poll.