A split of battles against two teams ranked among the 12 best teams in the nation helped the Grand Canyon University Men's Lacrosse team rise to No. 18 in the latest 2023 New Balance Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Division I Coaches' Poll. It's a rise of three spots from their previous No. 21 ranking last week, and it returns them among the MCLA Top 20 for the third time in the four polls released so far this season (they were ranked 11^th in the preseason poll and 14^th after the first week of play). It's the 97^th time in the 100 polls released by the MCLA between Week 7 of the 2013 season and today that the Lopes have owned a spot in the poll.
 
The Lopes' home conference, the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference, continues to represent well with a total of five schools in the current poll: Concordia University Irvine (6^th), the University of Arizona (9^th), Chapman University(10^th), San Diego State (13^th) and the Lopes.
 
The Lopes strengthened their hold on a top 20 spot in the poll - thanks to bouncing back from a 14-11 loss Friday night against 8^th-ranked BYU by coming from behind to force overtime and defeat 12^th-ranked Northeastern University, 11-10, Monday afternoon. GCU will continue its current homestand this Saturday, March 11 facing another nationally ranked foe in No. 11 Utah Valley University. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 1PM at GCU Soccer Stadium. Admission to the event is FREE.
 
The full New Balance MCLA Preseason Coaches' Poll is listed below: