DUBUQUE, Iowa — November 11, 2026 — For the first time in program history, the University of Dubuque men’s hockey team is nationally ranked.

The Spartans debuted at No. 12 in the USCHO Division III Men’s Poll released Monday, November 9, 2026, and at No. 14 in the DIII Hockey News Men’s Poll the same day. Dubuque is 4-0-0 through the first two weeks of the season.

The rankings follow a road sweep of a ranked opponent. Dubuque beat No. 14 Gustavus Adolphus College 3-2 on Friday, November 6, and 1-0 on Saturday, November 7, in St. Peter, Minnesota. The Spartans won the opener on a shorthanded goal and closed the series with a shutout, the second of the young season for their goaltender.

A week earlier, Dubuque was not in either top 15. In the November 2 polls, the Spartans were only receiving votes — 11 points in the USCHO poll and 10 points in the DIII Hockey News poll. The sweep of Gustavus moved them into both rankings in one week.

In the USCHO poll, Dubuque earned 53 points. Hobart holds the No. 1 spot at 4-0-0 with 291 points and 11 first-place votes, followed by Hamilton at No. 2 and Geneseo and Utica tied at No. 3. The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association is well represented: St. Norbert is No. 7, Adrian is No. 9, Aurora is No. 11, and Dubuque is No. 12, with Trine receiving votes.

In the DIII Hockey News poll, voted on by media, coaches, and administrators, Dubuque earned 47 points at No. 14. Hamilton leads that poll at No. 1, followed by Hobart at No. 2.

The ranking is a milestone for a young program. The 2026-27 season is the fourth in University of Dubuque men’s hockey history, and the Spartans were picked eighth in the NCHA preseason coaches poll.

Dubuque returns home Friday, November 13, 2026, for its conference opener against the Milwaukee School of Engineering at 7 p.m. at ImOn Arena.