Chicago Men’s Power Rankings

The Chicago Men’s Power Rankings are here, highlighting the top teams from 21 clubs competing across Chicagoland this summer.

Lincoln Park LC had a statement win against the dynasty that is the CLC, while the Mild Cats continued their championship run in the west. Further north, the Ants prevailed as the new team to beat. But don’t sleep on the Turtles, who appear to be gaining momentum each season, and also the Southside Birds, who had an undefeated regular season.

Congrats to all the teams that competed this season.

The rankings take into account each team’s full body of work - overall record, quality of wins, head-to-head results, strength of competition, margin of victory and playoff performance.

Final Top 10 based on all game results from the 2026 summer season.

1. Lincoln Park LC (Chicago)
2. Mild Cats (Naperville)
3. Chicago LC (Chicago)
4. Southside Birds (Naperville)
5. Ants (Northbrook)
6. Turtles (Chicago)
7. Grove Dynasty (Naperville)
8. Nightcrawlers (Naperville)
9. Juice is Loose (Chicago)
10. Windy City (Chicago)

#ULAX #ChicagoLacrosse #ChicagolandLacrosse #MensLacrosse #ULAXChicago

After weeks of competition, the ULAX summer season came down to its final matchup: the No. 1 seed Bronx Lacrosse versus the No. 2 seed Risk Takers. Two of the league's most talented and consistent teams faced off with the championship on the line. From the opening whistle, Bronx Lacrosse established control. Their ball movement, stick skills, and disciplined approach allowed them to dictate possession and keep the Risk Takers' defense under constant pressure. Bronx scored four consecutive goals to open the championship game, quickly building a commanding lead and putting the Risk Takers in an uphill battle. But the Risk Takers refused to fold. They continued to fight and battled their way back with a pair of goals, showing the same toughness and competitiveness that had carried them all the way to the championship. Every possession became a battle as both teams fought for ground balls, contested shots, and tried to seize momentum. Bronx Lacrosse, however, remained composed. Their discipline and execution continued to separate them as the game progressed. Strong stick work, smart passing, and relentless offensive pressure allowed Bronx to maintain control while their defense limited the Risk Takers' opportunities to complete the comeback. The Risk Takers continued to battle until the final whistle, but Bronx Lacrosse simply proved to be too much on championship night. With their combination of talent, discipline, and determination, Bronx closed out the game with a convincing 12-6 victory. Bronx Lacrosse are your 2026 ULAX Summer Champions. After finishing the regular season as the No. 1 seed and winning their way through the playoffs, Bronx Lacrosse completed the job when it mattered most. They entered the summer as one of the league's top teams and left as champions.

The second ULAX semifinal of the night featured a showdown between the No. 2 seed Risk Takers and No. 3 seed Lock Jaw, with a spot in the championship game on the line. The game started as a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading possessions and matching each other's intensity. The score remained tied at 2-2 for an extended stretch, with neither team willing to give an inch in what quickly became a tense playoff battle. Then the Risk Takers took control. Their faceoff play became a major difference-maker as they consistently won possession and gave their offense additional opportunities. The Risk Takers' faceoff specialist put together a standout performance, including a perfectly placed top-corner rip that gave his team a major spark and helped shift the momentum firmly in their favor. From there, the Risk Takers' defense locked in. They held Lock Jaw to just one additional goal for the remainder of the game while their offense continued to find ways to finish. Four more goals from the Risk Takers created the separation they needed to close out the semifinal. When the final whistle sounded, the No. 2 seed Risk Takers secured a 6-3 victory over No. 3 seed Lock Jaw and punched their ticket to the ULAX championship game. After a season filled with strong performances, the Risk Takers now have one final game standing between them and a summer ULAX championship.

Win or go home. The ULAX summer season officially entered playoff mode, and the first game of the night featured the No. 1 seed Bronx Lacrosse taking on The Birds with a spot in the championship game on the line. Bronx Lacrosse came into the postseason looking every bit like the league's top seed. From the opening whistle, they controlled the pace, moved the ball with confidence, and quickly built a commanding lead. Their offensive pressure was relentless, while their defense made it difficult for The Birds to find any consistent rhythm. The Birds continued to battle and brought plenty of energy to the field, but they struggled to break through against Bronx's defense. Their lone goal came on an impressive long-pole rip from distance, giving the team a much-needed spark. Despite the effort, The Birds were unable to mount the comeback they needed. With the championship within reach, Bronx Lacrosse stayed focused and continued to handle business on both ends of the field. They never allowed The Birds to gain significant momentum and comfortably closed out the victory. The win sends Bronx Lacrosse into the ULAX championship game, keeping their championship hopes alive as the No. 1 seed continues its postseason run. One game remains between Bronx and a summer league title.

New photos added to the album: Tampa Bay: Women's Summer '26

Photos courtesy of Stacy White / IG @stacywsports
Games played at Skyway Park (Field 2)
https://ulax.org/tampabay/women/summer/

New photos added to the album: Seattle: High School Boys' Summer '26

Photos courtesy of Adam Lu / IG @adamluphoto
Gamed played at Kirkland Lacrosse Center (Kirkland, WA)
https://ulax.org/seattle/highschoolboys/summer/

New photos added to the album: Staten Island: High School Boys Summer '26

Photos courtesy of Ellie Keane / IG @elliekeanepics
Games played at the College of Staten Island
https://ulax.org/newyorkcity/statenisland/highschoolboys/summer/

New photos added to the album: Harrisburg: Women's Summer '26

Photos courtesy of Theresa Nguyen / IG @theresanguyen2.0
Games played at In The Net - Outdoor Turf
https://ulax.org/harrisburg/women/summer