Hadley, Mass. - The NESCAC has officially announced its postseason honors for the 2026 Men's Lacrosse season, and Colby College first-year Eli Chilicki has been named the NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Chilicki, an attacker from North Berwick, Maine, becomes the latest Mule to earn the prestigious conference honor after a debut season that saw him emerge as one of the most clinical offensive threats in the conference.

From the opening whistle of the 2026 campaign, Chilicki established himself as the focal point of the Colby offense. He led the Mules in multiple statistical categories, finishing the spring with 31 goals (team leader) and 11 assists (second most on the team), good for 42 total points (team leader). Compared to the rest of the NESCAC, he ranks 12th in goals per game and 11th in points per game. His ability to navigate elite defensive schemes as a first-year student-athlete highlights the bright future of the Colby program under Head Coach Jake Bernhardt.

Chilicki's impact was felt most in the season's biggest moments. He delivered nine multi-goal performances out of 13 games played, including four goals against both Conn. College and Hamilton. In the final week of the season, he tallied seven goals and two assists across matches against Bates and Trinity, helping keep the Mules competitive in a gauntlet of conference play. The Maine native also totaled the third most ground balls on the team with 31 across the 2026 season.  

Chilicki is the fourth Colby Mule to be voted as the NESCAC Rookie of the Year and the first since 2014. He joins a select group of Colby standouts to win the award, including Austin Sayre (2014), Ian Deveau (2010), and Caddy Brooks (2006). His 42 points marks one of the most productive first-year campaigns in recent Colby history, providing a strong foundation for the Mules as they look toward the 2027 season.

CLICK HERE to read the full Men's Lacrosse All-Conference release on NESCAC.com 4/30