No. 4 UMBC (11-4, 3-3 AE) at No. 1 Bryant (10-6, 5-1 AE) | Friday, May 2, 4pm | Smithfield, RI | Watch | Live Stats | International Broadcast

AMERICA EAST TOURNAMENT HISTORY

·       UMBC is looking for their first America East Tournament championships since entering the league in 2004.

·       The Retrievers have dropped seven consecutive semifinal contests since defeating Boston University in 2011.

·       The Dawgs are 2-12 all-time in the America East Tournament.

NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY

·       2002 – UNC d. UMBC, 22-6

·       1999- UMBC d. American, 17-8; Virginia d. UMBC, 16-7

HEAD COACH AMY SLADE

·       Amy Slade is 104-93 (.528) in her 13 seasons in Baltimore. She is seeking her first tournament victory in her seventh semifinal.

DAWG BITES   

·       Senior attackman Grace Bruce scored three goals and had an assist, but UMBC was unable to complete their comeback versus the Vermont Catamounts last Saturday morning at UMBC Stadium, with a score of 18-14.

·       Emily Knapp added two goals and two assists to increase her team-leading total to 66 points (46 goals, 20 assists), while Katana Nelson, Lizzie Bateman, and Lauryn Warfield all added two goals each.

·       Graduate student goalie Isabella Fontana made nine saves.

·       UMBC has been enjoying its first 10-win season since 2017.    

·       The Retrievers lead the America East in three major offensive categories: 22.20 points (15th in NCAA), 15.27 goals, and 34.4 shots per game (10th in NCAA). Their defense also allows just 10.34 goals per game (19th in NCAA), good for first in the conference.   

·       Nelson is second in the league in goals per game (3.47, 21st in NCAA) and is seventh in points per game (3.71). She also is 10th in the NCAA with six shots on goal per game.   

·       Knapp is first in the conference in points per game (4.40, 39th in NCAA) and fourth in goals per game (3.07).   

·       Bruce is now 5th in the league with 3.07 goals per game. 

·       Lizzie Bateman is first in the conference with 1.93 assists per game.  

·       Libby Staples is 5th in the AE with 2.08 ground balls per game.   

·       Warfield is 4th in draw controls per game (4.80)   

·       Fontana's 10.73 goals against average is the best in the AE. 

·       The Retrievers are 17th in the country with a .733 winning percentage.   

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS

·       Senior Isabelle Katter leads the team in both assists (27) and points (59).

·       Junior Emily DeGeorge leads the way in points, with 42.

·       Junior Jessica Tosone has recorded a team-high 50 ground balls.

·       Graduate Student Sam Centofante has spent the most time in goal this season, with over 900 minutes and 123 saves.

INSIDE THE SERIES: 

·       UMBC iS 1-2 all time versus the Bulldogs.

·       The Retrievers won their matchup earlier this season, with a decisive 17-9 win at home.

·       In their earlier matchup, Grace Bruce scored five goals, and Libby Staples and Katana Nelson added four each.

UP NEXT:
With a win, UMBC would play the winner of the No. 3 UAlbany/No. 2 UMass Lowell semifinal on Sunday at noon in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

POSTSEASON HONORS

• 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.