Women's Lacrosse 4/22/2026 11:38:00 AM

Women's Lacrosse Hosts New Hampshire on Senior Day; America East Tourney Hopes Remain Alive & Well

UMBC (6-7, 1-4 America East) vs. New Hampshire (4-11, 0-5 America East) | Baltimore, Md. | Saturday, April 25, 12:00 p.m. | Watch | Live Stats

Dawg Bytes

UMBC will look to end a five-game losing streak when they host New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon. Despite the slide, the Retrievers still have a solid opportunity to secure the No. 4 seed in Friday's America East Semifinals with a victory on Saturday. UMBC wins a three-way tie with Binghamton and UMass Lowell based on goal differential if the Bearcats (vs. Bryant) and River Hawks (vs. Vermont) both lose on Saturday.
The Dawgs lead the circuit in shots per game (30.31), shots on goal per game (22.38), fewest turnovers per game (11.92), and goals against per game (10.18).
Emily Knapp is second in the America East in goals per game (3.23, 25th in the NCAA) and leads the circuit in points per game (4.00, 55th in the NCAA).
Knapp has recorded 89 goals and 31 assists (120 points) in just 29 career appearances (4.14 ppg.)
Reese Macintosh ranks fourth in the AE with 1.46 assists per game and is 9th in points per game (3.15).
Libby Staples is ninth in assists per game (1.23) and 14th in points per game (2.54). She's also 14th in draw controls (2.08 per game).
Ella Killian ranks 7th in the league in draw controls (3.08 per game).
Olivia Worden is fourth in the league with 3.38 draw controls per game.
Goalie Emine Luznar is second in the AE with a 9.30 goals against average (24th NCAA) and a .493 saves percentage (11th NCAA). Her 17 saves against UMass Lowell were the second-most in the league this season.

Last Time Out

The visiting Retrievers team dropped a 22-6 decision at Bryant on Saturday.
Sam Hewitt picked up her first hat-trick as a Retriever, tallying four points on three goals and an assist. Emily Knapp added two goals and an assist, Tess Curtis picked up a goal and an assist and Lizzie Bateman also added an assist.
Ella Killian had three ground balls, two caused turnovers and two draw controls, while Emily Renehan also had a pair of caused turnovers.

About UNH

The Wildcats were eliminated from tournament contention after a 15-12 loss to UMass Lowell this past Saturday.
Eight players earned a point in the loss, paced by a four-goal, one assist day from Rose Pavuk and two-goal, one-assist performances from Julia Gronda and Sarah Zwack.
In total, eight Wildcats landed a shot on net, led by Rose Pavuk with five tries.
On defense, Clara Pavuk headlined the 'Cats with a team-leading four ground balls alongside a team-high two caused turnovers.
In net, Emma Crater closed her day denying 10-of-25 shots faced, good for a .400 save percentage.
Rose Pavuk is 6th in the league with 2.40 goals per game while Libby Boland slots 11th (1.87)
Crater leads the conference with 10.30 saves per game and is fourth with a .427 saves percentage.

Series History

UMBC is 8-15 all-time against New Hampshire.
The Retrievers have won four straight, including a 20-11 triumph last season in Durham. Grace Bruce recorded six goals and Emily Knapp added four markers.
UMBC is 4-6 all-time in Baltimore.

Head Coach Amy Slade

2021 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Amy (Appelt) Slade is in her 14th season at the helm of the Retrievers and 17th overall with the program. Slade served as a co-head coach for her first two seasons at the head of the program after being hired as an assistant coach in August of 2009.
Slade had a career record of 110-101 (.524).
She enjoyed 11-win seasons in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2024-25.
Slade, who won the prestigious Tewaaraton Trophy and led the University of Virginia to a national championship in 2004, joined the UMBC women's lacrosse staff in August 2009. She was inducted into the 2020 class of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame after an illustrious career with the Cavaliers, where she was a four-time All-American at Virginia, set school records for career goals (258) and points (373), and ranks second in career assists (115). Her goals and points totals are in the top 10, respectively, in the NCAA Division I record books, and she set an NCAA record by scoring a goal in 66 straight games.

Preseason 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.

2025 Rewind

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.
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).

Print Friendly Version

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

#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

#19 Reese Macintosh: Attack; 5' 1"; 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

#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

#19 Reese Macintosh
: 5' 1"; Freshman
: Attack