LOUDONVILLE, NY – A trio of captains have been named to take on the leadership role for the defending MAAC champion Siena Men's Lacrosse team ahead of the 2026 season, it was announced by new head coach Tim Cox. 

Appointed captains will be graduate student Conor Hufnagel and seniors Colby LeBlanc and R.J. Ihlefeld. 

Coach Cox and the staff rely on their players to voice their opinions on who is best suited to lead the team as the team begins to ramp up preparations for the upcoming spring season. 

"We are thrilled to have R.J., Conor, and Colby wearing the Captain's "C" in 2026," said coach Cox.

"From the moment we returned in the fall, these three wasted no time stepping into leadership roles—leading by example and speaking with one connected, unified voice.  Championship-caliber teams are built on strong leadership, and we are confident that this group checks that box for our program. Their commitment, accountability, and daily standards have earned the respect of both their teammates and the coaching staff."

Hufnagel, a Yorktown, NY native, was a transfer from Hofstra three seasons ago and made a major leap in production during his second full season with the Saints. The attackman was not only a MAAC All-Academic Team and Honor Roll member, but also asserted himself on the field by ranking fourth in the MAAC in both goals per game (2.25) and points per game (3.31). Hufnagel tallied 36 goals, 17 assists and started all 16 games and was named to the All-MAAC Championship Team. 

LeBlanc, a Natick, MA native, enters his fourth season with the Saints and has appeared in 14 games in each of the prior two seasons. A mainstay in the rotation for match ups as a midfielder, LeBlanc has totaled eight goals and nine assists while also excelling in the classroom as a two-time MAAC All-Academic Team and three-time MAAC Honor Roll member.

Ihlefeld, a Fairfield, CT native, enters his fourth season with the Saints as well and has appeared in 41 career games. The long stick midfielder has increased his totals for ground balls and caused turnovers in each successive season with 124 career ground balls and 44 caused turnovers to his credit. Ihlefeld has also been a high achiever in the classroom by earning two nods to the MAAC All-Academic Team and is a three-time MAAC Honor Roll member. 

The Saints are coming off a season in which it went 11-5 and secured the program's fourth MAAC Championship and claimed a share of the MAAC regular season title with a 7-1 conference mark. 

The Saints were also ranked nationally for the first time in 14 years, checking in at No. 20 in both the USILA Coaches' Poll as well as the Inside Lacrosse KANE Media Poll on May 5.