By: Anthony Pass, Sports Information Student Assistant
WASHINGTON, Pa.- The Washington & Jefferson College men's lacrosse program enters its second year under head coach
Jacob Bow in 2026.
In his first year leading the program in 2025, Bow guided the Presidents to a stronger overall record, establishing positive momentum as W&J looks to take the next step in building its program.
"Year one was about building the foundation, and I'm proud of the progress we made in establishing a culture and building confidence," stated Head Coach
Jacob Bow. "Last season we only had a handful of reliable scorers and a few dependable defenders. We still have improvements to be made in our consistency, late-game execution, and defensive communication but the added depth and competition give us momentum heading into the year."
2025 Season Review: The Presidents posted a 5-12 overall record, and a 1-7 record in Presidents' Athletic Conference action in 2025.
W&J opened the season with two victories in its first three contests, emerging with wins over Pitt-Bradford and Hiram.
The Presidents suffered losses in their next three games but responded by winning three of their next five following the losing skid. W&J earned a dominant win over La Roche, defeating the Redhawks 22-1, and also picked up a league win over Thiel.
To finish the season, W&J lost its last six games consecutively.
The five wins for W&J in the 2025 campaign were tied for the most in a season since 2022.
Earning a spot on the All-PAC honorable mention team were
Paul Shook (Camp Hill, Pa./Trinity) '25,
Austin Hopkins (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) '25, and
Braden Petrarco (Irwin, Pa./Norwin). Shook and
Zach Mey (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) '25 made their presence known in the W&J men's lacrosse record book last season as well. The Presidents graduated all three standouts last season.
"Those guys were a significant part of what we did last year. However, when teams took them away, we didn't have other consistent options. This year, that won't be the case. Even if you key on our best or second-best player, we have a lot more guys who can step up and contribute," said Bow. "That's going to help us be more dangerous and harder to deal with on both sides of the ball. From a leadership perspective, those guys set a great example, but we all have set a higher standard for ourselves this season. We've got more guys stepping into leadership roles, holding teammates accountable, and helping set the tone every day."
| 2026 PAC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll (Predicted order of finish) |
| School (first-place votes) |
Points |
2025 records |
| 1. Grove City (9) |
81 |
14-8, 8-0 PAC |
| 2. Chatham (1) |
70 |
13-6, 7-1 PAC |
| 3. Saint Vincent |
67 |
9-8, 6-2 PAC |
| 4. Westminster |
58 |
10-9, 5-3 PAC |
| 5. Allegheny |
46 |
8-9, 4-4 PAC |
| 6. Franciscan |
44 |
5-9, 3-5 PAC |
| 7. W&J |
30 |
5-12, 1-7 PAC |
| 8. Bethany |
24 |
7-10, 2-6 PAC |
| 9. Hiram |
18 |
3-14, 0-8 NCAC |
| 10. Thiel |
12 |
1-14, 0-8 PAC |
Bow spoke on the PAC Preseason Poll: "It gives us a chip on our shoulder. With the confidence and depth of this young group, we embrace the underdog role. This group has worked hard, has confidence, and expects to fight for a playoff spot."
Team Captains: Braden Petrarco (Irwin, Pa./Norwin),
Olin Putz (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek) and
Stephen Moschetta (Washington, Pa./Trinity)
"A lot of guys have stepped up into leadership roles this year, so choosing captains wasn't easy. For the first time, we held a team vote, and it was pretty much unanimous on these three. Olin and Brad are our vocal leaders - always talking, pushing guys, and setting the tone," said Bow. "Steve leads more by example; he's quieter but does all the right things and others follow because of how he works. What they all have in common is that when it's time to work on the field, they're all business - focused, intense, and leading by effort first. I really like how this trio balances out and reflects the kind of leadership we want in this program.
"
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Attack: William Fenimore (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) and
Dylan Batche (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) are the lone returners at the attack position for W&J, and they rank among the top three returning goal scorers on the roster.
Fenimore tallied 30 points during his freshman campaign in 2025, piling up 15 goals and 15 assists. He appeared in all 17 games for W&J and picked up six starting nods.
Batche provided solid offensive support in his sophomore year, scoring 13 goals, which is third most of any returner from last season's roster.
"With a strong core of returning talent, there's a clear sense of growth and continuity heading into the season. On the offensive side, the spotlight naturally turns to Golebiewski, Fenimore, and Batche. Each has shown flashes of impact in previous opportunities, and now they're positioned to take on expanded responsibilities," stated Bow. "With more experience in the system and a deeper understanding of game tempo and situational execution, they're expected to shoulder a larger share of the production. Their development won't just be about individual stats - it'll be about leadership, consistency, and elevating the players around them."
Midfield: Returning in the midfield for the Presidents is
Braden Petrarco (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) who is coming off of an All-PAC honorable mention season in 2025. Petrarco piled up 20 goals a year ago, the most of any W&J returner.
"Brad will be in the top three scorers this season, if not number one. He's an incredible athlete with the speed, skill, and an ability to finish from anywhere. What doesn't always show up in the stats is how much he helps this team - he's a great teammate who constantly pushes everyone to be better," said Bow. "He is incredibly coachable and committed to being the best at everything he does. He competes hard every day, leads by example, and brings energy that lifts the whole group. Brad's impacts beyond the stats are a huge asset for us."
In addition to his offensive, Petrarco was a key leader in the defensive half of the field as well. He led W&J in ground balls last year with 91 and caused 35 turnovers. Petrarco also served as one of W&J's top two faceoff men winning 36.9 percent (55-149) of his draws.
Colin Golebiewski (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum), who served alongside Petrarco as a leader in faceoffs a year ago, moves into a midfield position for his senior campaign. Golebewski netted seven goals, contributed three assists, and grabbed 44 ground balls across his 11 starts and 17 appearances last season.
Riley Bullock (Kennett Square, Pa./Wilmington Christian (Del.)) and
Colton Powers (Chesterfield, Va./Matoaca) also return as midfielders and look to provide veteran depth at the position.
Bullock appeared in every game for W&J last year and scored five goals on 12 shots. Powers has appeared in 26 games during his career at W&J. He picked up his first career goal in 2025 and stepped in on seven faceoffs.
Other returners at the position include
Bodie Cumer (Washington, Pa./Washington) and
Jaxon Specht (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley).
Defense: Logan Waychoff (Washington, Pa./Trinity) is W&J's most experienced returner on the back line. He appeared in 16 contests in 2025, logged 37 ground balls and caused 15 turnovers.
Also returning for W&J on defense is
Olin Putz (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek), who saw his first full season of action in 2025 after missing all of 2025 due to injury. Putz got 12 starting nods last season, snagged nine ground balls, forced nine turnovers, and scored his first career goal.
"Olin and Logan are key leaders and set the tone our defense. We also expect Colton and Riley to play similar roles," replied Bow. "Having that veteran experience leading the defense allows us to be consistent, organized, confident, and aggressive."
Sophomore trio of
Thomas Stoves (New Stanton, Pa./Hempfield Area),
Aidric Provencher (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale) and
Taylor Ramirez (Mount Airy, Md./Seneca Valley) round out the returning players on defense for the Red and Black. After seeing limited action in 2025 while playing behind veteran leaders at the position, each are expected to step into elevated roles this season.
"Defensively, there's just as much reason for optimism. Ramirez and Provencher returning to their natural positions. Alongside them, Stoves provides stability and continuity. As the unit gels, their chemistry and communication should improve, leading to a more cohesive and disruptive defensive presence," said Bow. "Overall, the returning group brings valuable experience and a foundation to build on. If their offseason development translates to on-field performance, this could be a group that not only steps into bigger roles but elevates the team."
Goalkeepers: Stephen Moschetta (Washington, Pa./Trinity) is the top returning goalkeeper, along with teammate
John Novoselich (Cornwall on Hudson, N.Y./James I. Oneill). Moschetta logged a team-high 13 starts in net for the Red and Black in 2025, posting a 4-6 record, and stopping 115 shots.
"Last year we rotated three goalies pretty frequently, and Steve always ended up facing the toughest opponents because he consistently earned those reps. This season he's the clear starter, and his teammates even voted him captain as a junior, which says a lot about the respect he's earned," stated Bow. "Steve is incredibly mature, handling all adversity calmly. He leads by example, and keeps everyone grounded when things get intense. He prepares the right way every day, pushes guys in practice, and brings a steady presence that helps stabilize the whole defense. He's primed for a breakout season and deserves all the praise that will come his way."
W&J's roster has three other players that have previously played the position including Bullock, Powers, and Putz.
Newcomers: W&J welcomes 10 newcomers to the program for the 2026 season.
"The legacy connections played a crucial role in landing a standout recruiting class in year one. The younger brothers saw what we were building and brought some talented friends along for the ride. Gianni, for example, brought in two defensive standouts, Jack and Caden, to strengthen our backline. Both have football backgrounds and should bring a strong physical presence to the defense, with their natural toughness and discipline," replied Bow. "While Gianni will be focusing on offense, his leadership on the field will still resonate throughout the team. On the offensive side, Gianni's role will be pivotal. Alongside Ryan and Braydon, they'll form a dynamic attacking trio with strong chemistry and continuity. Both are already well-acquainted, which should make their partnership seamless, and with Gianni joining them, the attack should be potent. Adding Noah, a Saint Vincent transfer, and freshman AJ into the mix will only add more firepower to our offense. We also have a recent addition in freshman football player, Josue who has brought a great attitude and grit. This incoming class is filled with promise, and with the solid connections they've already built, we expect this team to come together quickly. While there may be some growing pains along the way, the potential for long-term success is certainly there."
Attack –
Noah Schratz (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township)
Attack-
AJ Cruz (Waldorf, Md./Westlake)
Attack-
Gianni Moschetta (Washington, Pa./Trinity)
Defense-
Caden Bazzoli (Washington, Pa./Trinity)
Defense-
Jack Dufalla (Washington, Pa./Trinity)
Midfielder-
Brady Vaclavik (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty)
Midfielder-
Aaron Alfer (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township)
Midfield-
Josue Jimenez-Flores (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach)
Midfield-
Ryan Mey (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette)
Midfield-
Braydon Reighard (Oakdale, Pa./South Fayette)
Coaching Staff: Jacob Bow, a 2017 W&J graduate, was named head coach for the men's lacrosse program in July 2024. Bow enters his second season with W&J in 2025-26.
Following his first season with the Presidents, three W&J players earned All-Presidents' Athletic Conference selections.
Bow enjoyed a successful playing career for the Red and Black, appearing in 65 games during his four-year career which spanned from 2014-17. A native of Lockport, N.Y., Bow served as a captain his senior season, and helped Presidents reach the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference Championship game during his junior season in 2016. Bow was also a three-year member of the W&J football team during his time on campus.
Prior to returning to W&J, Bow served as head coach of nearby Peters Township High School for two seasons. He helped the Indians accumulate a 30-10 overall record and earned Coach of the Year honors during his time with the team.
In addition to his time at Peters Township, Bow had a four-year coaching stint as head coach of Hempfield Area High School. During his tenure at Hempfield, he helped the Spartans win their first playoff game in program history.
Along with Bow,
Ryan Hilyer and
Kevin Dowd both return as assistant coaches for the 2026 campaign.
"Having Coach Hilyer and Coach Dowd back brings stability to our staff. Coach Hilyer's experience allows me to lean on him to coach the defense, especially when we're breaking down defensive game plans and scouts. This allows me more time to focus on the offense. His voice and knowledge help our defensive group stay sharp and confident. Coach Dowd has been great working with the goalies, the face off group, and our conditioning - he keeps those areas organized, competitive, and progressing."
Hilyer came to W&J after spending his previous nine seasons as the men's lacrosse head coach at Bethany College. Hilyer led the Bison to their first Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament appearance since in 2021, since joining the conference in 2019. Hilyer coached 19 all-conference honorable mention selections, six all-conference second team picks and one all-conference player in his career at Bethany.
Hilyer coached and developed key student-athletes at Bethany including two of Bethany's all-time statistical leaders: Clay Yingling and Andrew Smith. Yingling finished his career with all-time records in career goals (108), career shots on goal (254), and career shots (408). Smith finished his career with 1,112 career saves, which ranked third all-time on the NCAA Division III career saves list at the end of his playing career.
Levi Krebs will also return as a student coach for the Presidents in 2026.
"Our student assistant,
Levi Krebs, has taken on a bigger role in practice and has been a huge help with running the defense and keeping the box running smoothly on game day," stated Bow. "Having a coaching group I trust makes a big difference in how we prepare and develop."
Looking at the Schedule: The Presidents will open the season on the road at Pitt-Bradford on Feb. 21. The first home game for W&J will take place on March 1 at Alexandre Stadium against Concordia (Wis.)
PAC play will begin on March 18 as the Presidents travel to Hiram, Ohio for their first league contest of the year. The regular season wraps up with the final conference matchup of the year in Steubenville, Ohio against the Franciscan Barons on April 22.
Final word from Bow: "As we head into year two, there's a lot of momentum surrounding our team. Year one was about laying the groundwork - establishing culture, accountability, and belief. Now, we're building on that foundation with greater depth, stronger leadership, and a more competitive environment in every phase of the game. Our senior class has shown remarkable resilience, our captains have earned the respect of their teammates through both voice and example, and our returning core is ready to take ownership of expanded roles. Add in an exciting incoming class - including legacy players who understand what it means to be a President - and there's a real sense of continuity and pride in what we're building. Being picked seventh again in the PAC preseason poll only adds fuel to the fire. We're comfortable being overlooked. This group believes in the work they've put in, the depth we've developed, and the standard we're holding ourselves to every day. We know there are areas to improve like consistency, communication, and late-game execution - but we also know we're better equipped to handle those moments. The competition in practice is sharper. The leadership is stronger. The expectations are higher. We're not just aiming to compete - we expect to contend."
