UMBC Men’s Lacrosse 2026 Season Recap: Ryan Demato Leads Retrievers’ Late-Season Surge Into America East Tournament

The UMBC Retrievers looked finished in late March.

A brutal nonconference schedule, close losses against quality opponents and an 1-7 start pushed the Retrievers near the bottom of the America East standings. Instead of folding, UMBC responded with one of the conference’s best turnarounds. The Retrievers won five straight games, reached the America East Tournament and developed a core group of players who could keep the program competitive for years to come.

The story of the 2026 season starts with junior attackman Ryan Demato.

Ryan Demato Became One of the America East’s Best Players

No player meant more to UMBC’s offense than Ryan Demato.

The Medford, New Jersey native exploded for 31 goals and nine assists in 13 games. Demato finished with 40 points, scored multiple goals in 10 consecutive games and earned First Team All-America East honors. Several of UMBC’s biggest victories featured game-winning goals from Demato.

When UMBC needed a big play, Demato usually delivered.

The junior scored four goals against Mount St. Mary’s, added four more against Vermont and posted a hat trick with two assists against UAlbany. During conference play, Demato elevated his game even further with 20 goals and seven assists in just six league games.

Demato’s emergence gave UMBC a true offensive centerpiece.

Connor Chick Drove the Offense

While Demato grabbed most of the headlines, Connor Chick provided outstanding production all season.

The senior attackman finished second on the team with 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points. Chick started all 13 games and consistently created scoring opportunities for teammates.

Several of UMBC’s best offensive performances featured Chick working alongside Demato. The duo combined for 73 points and formed one of the most dangerous scoring tandems in the America East Conference.

Jake Kucinski Provided Leadership and Clutch Scoring

First Team All-America East selection Jake Kucinski anchored the attack alongside Demato and Chick.

Kucinski recorded 15 goals and 11 assists while starting every game. The senior attackman regularly contributed in crucial moments and finished third on the team with 26 points.

The season opener against Drexel showcased his impact. Kucinski scored twice and assisted another goal. A week later against Towson, he added two more goals while helping UMBC stay competitive against one of Maryland’s strongest programs.

The veteran also earned First Team All-America East honors.

Jameson Coffman Did Everything

Every successful lacrosse team needs a player who contributes in every phase of the game.

For UMBC, that player was Jameson Coffman.

Coffman earned First Team All-America East honors after impacting games offensively, defensively and in transition. The senior regularly created turnovers, collected ground balls and chipped in timely goals. Against Loyola Maryland, Coffman found the back of the net during UMBC’s comeback attempt. Against Bryant, he scored and added an assist in one of the Retrievers’ most competitive conference games.

Coffman’s versatility made him one of the most valuable players on the roster.

Dante Marinello Emerged as a Defensive Leader

The defense improved dramatically during UMBC’s late-season winning streak.

Dante Marinello played a major role in that improvement.

The Second Team All-America East selection consistently matched up against opposing top scorers and helped stabilize a defense that struggled early in the season. Marinello’s physical play and ability to force turnovers became critical during conference action.

Casey Pung Set the Tone

Second Team All-America East defender Casey Pung brought toughness and energy to the defensive end.

Several late-season victories featured key caused turnovers and ground-ball plays from Pung. His aggressive style helped UMBC generate extra possessions and gave the offense more opportunities to score.

As the season progressed, Pung became one of the leaders of the defensive unit.

Dylan Sharpe Helped Spark the Turnaround

Another Second Team All-America East selection, Dylan Sharpe often made the type of plays that never appear in headlines.

Sharpe excelled in transition, forced turnovers and provided steady defensive play throughout conference competition. His work helped fuel UMBC’s five-game winning streak during April.

Unsung Heroes

Several other players played significant roles in the season.

Goalkeeper Connor McMahon made numerous key saves throughout the year and helped keep UMBC competitive in several close contests. Faceoff specialist Alex Steers provided possession advantages during conference play. Nick Gutierrez delivered timely offense and strong defensive effort, while Jack Fish added important scoring depth.

Those contributions helped UMBC survive the difficult first half of the season and remain competitive in the conference race.

The Future Looks Bright

The final 6-7 record does not tell the full story.

UMBC opened the season 1-7 before winning five consecutive games and earning an America East Tournament berth. More importantly, the Retrievers built around a core that included one of the conference’s top scorers in Ryan Demato, multiple All-Conference selections and a defense that improved dramatically as the season progressed.

For Maryland lacrosse fans looking beyond the traditional powers, UMBC’s 2026 season offered plenty of reasons for optimism. The Retrievers discovered their identity late in the year, and several of the program’s top players established themselves among the best in the America East Conference.