Boston – The America East Conference announced its Preseason All-Conference Team and Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday afternoon. Sophomore attacker
Emily Knapp (Abingdon, Md./Maryvale Prep), senior defender
Ella Killian (Annapolis, MD.), and sophomore midfielder
Tess Curtis (Owings Mills, Md./Garrison Forest) were all recognized by the league's coaches.
Knapp burst upon the season in 2025 after earning a redshirt in 2024 and was named the America East Rookie of the Year. Knapp was second in the league with 4.25 points per game (68 points) and finished fifth with 2.94 goals per game (47 goals). She has also added 21 assists, 24 ground balls, and 11 caused turnovers. Knapp was the third Retriever to be named Rookie of the Year and the first since 2022.
The speedy and fearless Killian is a significant reason why UMBC ranked 15th in the country in clearing percentage. Killian, who finished sixth on the circuit with 4.44 draw controls per game, also compiled 24 ground balls and caused 12 turnovers.
Curtis ranked seventh on the squad with 20 points (18 goals, two assists). She recorded hat tricks against La Salle and New Hampshire in her first season as a Retriever.
UMBC finished the 2024 season with an 11-5 record and has been picked to finish fifth out of seven teams this year. Last season, the Dawgs placed fourth with a 3-3 conference record.
Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
Pl. School Pts. (1st)
1. UAlbany 35 (5)
2. Bryant 30 (2)
3. UMass Lowell 27
4. Vermont 18
5. UMBC 16
6. Binghamton 15
7. New Hampshire 6
Women's Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference
A Emma Blloshmi (Binghamton)
A Emily DeGeorge (Bryant)
A Lydia Doraz (Vermont)
A Emily Knapp (UMBC)
M Tess Curtis (UMBC)
M Audra Hansen (UMass Lowell)
M Mara O'Riley (Bryant)
D Sabine Godwin (Vermont)
D Ella Killian (UMBC)
D Delilah Mile (UAlbany)
D Kaelynn O'Brien (Bryant)
D Jessica Tosone (Bryant)
DC Paisley Cook (UAlbany)
GK Alexa Kuhn (UMass Lowell)
