BOSTON - Three UMBC men's soccer players earned America East honors, it was announced today. Freshmen Nico Banks and Flynn Holdem were named to the America East All-Rookie Team, while Adamo Pantaleo earned an all-academic nod. 

Banks, a 6-7 defender from Brunswick, Md., started all 14 games in his first collegiate campaign, proving to be a stellar defender and aerial threat. Throughout the season, Banks found the back of the net off three corners, finishing in a tie for second on the team in goals scored this season. After handing out an assist in the season-opener against Loyola (Md.), Banks added goals against Presbyterian, UMass Lowell, and Binghamton. Banks finished second on the team in minutes played, logging 1,202, just 27 shy of Pantaleo for the team lead. 

Holdem, a 6-4 striker from New Zealand, led the team with five goals in 2026, earning a pair of America East Rookie of the Week honors along the way. Holdem scored in his debut against Loyola, found the back of the net against nationally ranked Old Dominion, and then added three goals in league play. Holdem scored in a 3-2 loss against UMass Lowell, before adding two goals in the finale against NJIT to force a 3-3 draw. Holdem made six starts for UMBC and logged 587 minutes, scoring on 56 percent of his shots on target. 

Pantaleo, a junior captain from Toronto, started every game this season, leading the team in minutes played. Along with his steady play on the defensive end, he added a goal and two assists to the tally in 2026. Pantaleo slotted home a goal in a 5-1 win over Presbyterian, while adding assists against William & Mary and Binghamton. Pantaleo, holds a 4.0 GPA in his junior year at UMBC as a Financial Economics major.