Women's Lacrosse Predicted to Compete in 2023 America East Championship

Preseason Coaches Poll Has Retrievers Finishing In a Third-Place Tie with Bryant

BOSTON – The UMBC Retrievers have been selected to finish in a third-place tie with the Bryant Bulldogs in the final 2023 America East women's lacrosse standings, it was announced today by the conference office.

The Retrievers and Bulldogs each received 21 points in the preseason poll which was completed by the league's seven head coaches. Defending champion Vermont picked up 34 points and received four first-place votes. UAlbany (33 points) was selected second and received the remaining three first-place tallies.

Binghamton (18 Points), UMass Lowell (12 points) and New Hampshire (8 points) were predicted to round out the final three spots.

UMBC is expected to have a high-powered offense as three of last season's top-ten returning America East scorers return to the fold. Senior Claire Bockstie, a First Team America East All-Conference attacker, led the circuit with 3.71 goals per game and was second with 4.76 points per game. Junior attacker Dymin Gerow finished sixth with 2.71 goals per game while America East All-Conference Second Team sophomore attacker Kolby Weedon finished 9^th (2.65 goals per game). Weedon was also named the Rookie of the Year in the conference. Senior America East All-Conference Second Team midfielder Megan Halczuk paced the conference in draw controls per game (6.53) and was third in caused turnovers per game (1.35). Junior goalkeeper Isabella Fontana was second in the conference with a .525 save percentage and was fourth in goals against (9.90 pg.).

The top four teams in the conference standings will qualify for the America East Women's Lacrosse Championship, which will be held at the No. 1 seed. The semifinals take place on May 4 and the championship tilt on May 6. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

Fans will once again be able to watch the majority of #AEWLAX this season. Several games will air on The AE on ESPN while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the brand new America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching 'America East Conference' in app stores.

Follow they @AEGameday Twitter account to stay up-to-date on America East women's lacrosse news all season long and use #AEMLAX to join the conversation.

UMBC opens their campaign at George Washington University on Saturday, February 11 and will play their home opener versus American on Saturday, February 18 at UMBC Stadium.

About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.