Women's Lacrosse 2/11/2026 8:01:00 PM

Women's Lacrosse Travels to Bucknell on Friday Afternoon

UMBC (1-0) at Bucknell (1-0) | Friday, Feb. 13, 3:00 p.m. | Lewisburg, Pa. (Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium) | Watch | Live Stats

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UMBC finished the 2025 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
UMBC has not lost its season-opener since Feb. 19, 2021 (at Towson). The squad now has five straight victories after defeating Delaware State on Tuesday afternoon.
The Dawgs return six players who started at least half of the squad's contests last season (attacker Emily Knapp, attacker Libby Staples, attacker Lizzie Bateman, defender Lauren Flynn, defender Ella Killian, and defender Emily Renehan)
UMBC will look to replace All-Conference performers Grace Bruce (48 goals, 11 assists), Katana Nelson (55 goals), and goalie Isabella Fontana (10.44)
Head Coach Amy Slade is entering her 14th season as head coach of the Retrievers. Slade had a career record of 105-94 (.525).

Last Time Out

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.

About Bucknell

The Bison cruised to a 20-6 victory at Youngstown State in their season opener last Friday evening.
It was Bucknell's first opening day win since 2020.
Freshman Caleigh Cummiskey scored six goals in her debut, the most ever by a Bucknell freshman in a season-debut.
Megan Krestinski led the squad with eight points (3 goals, 5 assists). The five assists were the fourth-most in the program's single-season history.
Katie Browne also added a hat trick.
Jess Leon led the defense with four caused turnovers.
Krestinski paced Bucknell with 41 points (31 goals, 10 assists) last season
The Bison went 6-10 last season and were 2-7 in the Patriot League.

All-Time Series

UMBC leads 11-5 in a series that dates back to 1987
The Retrievers have won three straight against the Bison.
The teams last met in 2023 when the Dawgs escaped from Lewisburg with a 12-10 victory.
The Dawgs are 4-3 against the Bison all-time in Lewisburg

Three Retrievers Earn America East Preseason All-Conference Honors

The America East Conference announced its Preseason All-Conference Team and Preseason Coaches' Poll in January. Sophomore attacker Emily Knapp, senior defender Ella Killian, and sophomore midfielder Tess Curtis 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.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Lizzie Bateman: Attack; 5' 7"; Junior

#28 Isabella Fontana: Goalie; 5' 1"; Graduate Student

#2 Ella Killian: Defense; 5' 2"; Junior

#7 Katana Nelson: Midfield; 5' 7"; Senior

#25 Emma O'Callaghan: Attack; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#3 Emily Renehan: Defense; 5' 5"; Junior

#24 Grace Bruce: Attack; 5' 3"; Senior

#6 Libby Staples: Attack; 5' 6"; Junior

#14 Lauren Flynn: Defense; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#23 Emily Knapp: Attack; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#11 Lizzie Bateman
: 5' 7"; Junior
: Attack

#28 Isabella Fontana
: 5' 1"; Graduate Student
: Goalie

#2 Ella Killian
: 5' 2"; Junior
: Defense

#7 Katana Nelson
: 5' 7"; Senior
: Midfield

#25 Emma O'Callaghan
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: Attack

#3 Emily Renehan
: 5' 5"; Junior
: Defense

#24 Grace Bruce
: 5' 3"; Senior
: Attack

#6 Libby Staples
: 5' 6"; Junior
: Attack

#14 Lauren Flynn
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: Defense

#23 Emily Knapp
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: Attack