BALTIMORE - UMBC was dominant in a season-opening victory over Delaware State, jumping out to an 8-0 lead before cruising to a 20-2 victory at UMBC Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The Retrievers have now defeated the Hornets (0-2) in three straight seasons, scoring exactly 20 goals in each contest and winning by 15 or more goals in each meeting.

Junior Libby Staples, sophomore Emily Knapp, and junior Emma O'Callaghan each recorded a hat trick in the victory, with Staples also handing out three assists. Senior tri-captain Lizzie Bateman added a goal of her own and joined Staples with three assists in the contest. Sophomore Tess Curtis and freshman Elise Pezone made it five Retrievers with multiple goals. Curtis chipped in with a pair of first-quarter goals as UMBC built its 8-0 lead in the first 15 minutes, while freshman Elise Pezone added a pair of fourth-quarter scores for the Retrievers.

With her three goals, the 2025 America East Rookie of the Year, Knapp, reached 50 career goals in just 17 career games after scoring 47 as a freshman. Staples' hat trick was the fourth of her career, while O'Callaghan recorded her second career hat trick after a three-goal effort against Howard in 2025.

The Retrievers won 18 of 23 draw controls with freshman Olivia Worden (5), senior tri-captain Ella Killian (4), and Staples (3) combining for 12 of the 18.

UMBC took great care of the ball, turning it over just seven times, while forcing Delaware State into 17 turnovers. Curtis and sophomore Mya Stewart-Parsons each caused a pair of turnovers in the win. The Retrievers were a perfect 10-10 on clear attempts on Tuesday evening. Curtis and Stewart-Parsons also paced the Retrievers with four ground balls each.

Amy Slade's program opened the season with a victory for the fifth straight year and will look to continue the early-season success on Friday at Bucknell.