Boston, Mass. - The America East Conference announced on Thursday that six UMBC women's lacrosse players received postseason awards. The Retrievers picked up a pair of major awards: senior Katana Nelson (Hummelstown, Pa.) was selected as the Midfielder of the Year, and freshman attackman Emily Knapp (Abingdon, Maryland) earned Rookie of the Year accolades. 

Senior attacker Grace Bruce (Sykesville, Md.) and junior defender Ella Killian (Annapolis, Md.) joined Nelson on the First Team while Knapp was selected to the Second Team. Knapp and Tess Curtis (Owings Mills, Md.) made the Rookie Team and graduate student goalie Isabella Fontana (Chevy Chase, Md.) earned All-Academic Team honors.

Nelson has enjoyed a sensational senior season and become an elite performer in the America East Conference. The Hummelstown, Pa. native made a massive jump last season, finishing fourth in the conference to earn America East First Team accolades. The midfielder has taken her game to a new level this season and is enjoying one of the finest all-around seasons in program history. The Hershey product ranks second on the circuit with 3.47 goals per game and is seventh in total points. She is now the 11th player in UMBC history to produce 50 goals in a season. On the defensive end of the field, Nelson ranks among the top 15 in the league in caused turnovers.

Knapp burst upon the season in 2025 after earning a redshirt in 2024. Knapp leads the league with 66 total points and is fourth with 46 goals. She has also added 20 assists, 23 ground balls, and 11 caused turnovers. Knapp is the third Retriever to be named Rookie of the Year and first since 2022.

Bruce made an instant impact after transferring from High Point in 2024. The Sykesville, Maryland native earned America East Conference First Team honors a season ago after amassing 51 goals. This season, she has maintained last Year's scoring pace as she has 46 goals and has added draw controls to her arsenal, as she is 5th in the league with 70 draw controls.

The speedy and fearless Killian is a significant reason why UMBC ranks 15th in the country in clearing percentage. Defensively, she has compiled 23 ground balls and caused 11 turnovers.

Curtis ranks seventh on the squad with 20 points (18 goals, two assists). She recorded hat tricks against La Salle and New Hampshire this past season.

Fontana owns a 4.00 grade point average in Economics and Professional Studies. She leads the circuit with a 10.73 goals-against average,

No. 4 seed UMBC will play top-seeded Bryant on Friday at 4:00 p.m. in Smithfield, Rhode Island, in the America East semifinals.