IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata men's lacrosse team opens its 2026 season this Saturday with a 2 p.m. road matchup at Arcadia University.
 
The Mighty Macs return following the most successful season in program history, finishing 14-6 overall and a perfect 5-0 in Atlantic East Conference play. Immaculata captured its first conference championship with a 15-12 victory over Marymount University at Draper Walsh Stadium.
 
The championship run earned the program its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where the Mighty Macs fell to the University of Scranton in the opening round.
 
Following Saturday's contest, Immaculata will return home for its opener at Draper Walsh Stadium on Saturday, February 21, hosting Saint Vincent College at 3 p.m.
 
The 2026 schedule features 11 non-conference games, including matchups against Drew University, Misericordia University, Aurora University, Lebanon Valley College, Manhattanville University, and Albright College.
 
Immaculata opens Atlantic East Conference play on March 27 at Draper Walsh Stadium against Marymount.
 
COACHING STAFF
 
New Immaculata head coach Kent Snoddy will make his head coaching debut in 2026 after serving as an assistant coach for the Mighty Macs during the 2025 season.
 
Assistant coach Tyler Hoagland returns for his second season on the sidelines in 2026, providing continuity to a program coming off its most successful campaign.
 
Joseph Biuso joins the coaching staff as an assistant coach following the conclusion of his four-year playing career at Immaculata in 2025. Buiso ranked third on the team in scoring during his senior season, recording 35 goals and 48 total points.
 
 
PRESEASON OVERVIEW
 
Immaculata was voted second in the Atlantic East Conference preseason coaches' poll, totaling 22 points and three first-place votes. Marymount University narrowly claimed the top spot with 23 points and three first-place votes.
 
Marywood University finished third with 16 points, followed by Gwynedd Mercy University in fourth with 13 points. Neumann University received 11 points to place fifth, while Centenary University rounded out the poll with five points.
 
Despite navigating some of the harshest winter weather the region has experienced in the past 15 years, the Mighty Macs have remained focused since opening preseason practice on January 20.
 
"I have been ecstatic about the progress and positive demeanor the team has shown during the preseason," said Head Coach Kent Snoddy. "The team has shown a commitment to getting better each opportunity they have and is looking to hit the ground running on February 14th against Arcadia."
 
ROSTER CHECK
 
Immaculata will be led by a contingent of returning veteran players in 2026. Team Captains include senior defender Dan Alvarez (Westminster, Md. / Westminster), who was All-AEC Second Team in 2025, and senior goalkeeper Matthew Ludlow (Willow Grove, Pa. / Upper Moreland), who has been All-AEC First Team in each of his three years.
 
"We have an experienced group of seniors led by Captains Dan Alvarez and Matthew Ludlow," said Snoddy. "They both are incredibly smart and hardworking men who know what it takes to win at this level and are looking to instill and raise the standard we drive towards daily."
 
Immaculata returns 2025 All-Atlantic East Conference First Team selection senior defender Colton Rhoades (Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville), and All-Atlantic East Conference Second Team selection, junior midfielder Ryan Gorman (Newtown Square, Pa. / Marple Newtown).
 
Returning seniors include midfielder Bill Hill (Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic), defender Bradley Mead (Medford, N.J. / Shawnee), midfielder Matthew Frame (Middle Township N.J. / Middle Township), midfielder Zach Johonson (Baltimore, Md. / Franklin), and defender Ryan Convery (Springfield, Pa. / St. Joseph's Prep).
 
The junior class, which includes midfielder Liam Frazier (Abington, Pa. / Abington), attacker Evan Petrecz (Phoenixville, Pa. / Archbishop Carroll), and midfielder Seth Panowitz (Bel Air, Md. / The John Carroll School), will look to provide veteran depth to the squad this season.
 
The sophomore class includes attacker Jude Azzarano (Wayne, Pa. / Radnor), midfielder Brian Fuchs (California, Md. / Leonardtown), Gael Avalos (Mars, Pa. / Mars Area), and defender Danny Brady (Cape May Courthouse, N.J. / Middle Township), who will look to fill important roles on the team this season.
 
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
 
In addition to the core of returning players, Immaculata welcomes two transfers and a class of 18 freshmen who will look to make an impact.
 
Graduate FOGO Carnell Lofton Jr. (Port Penn, Del. / Cab Calloway) comes to Immaculata from Division II Wilmington University. Junior Defender Colin Wolk (Newtown Square, Pa. / Marple Newtown) joins Immaculata after not playing lacrosse for the past two years at Scranton. Wolk was a teammate with Ryan Gorman on Marple Newtown's 2023 PIAA State Championship team.
 
The freshman class includes midfielder Matt Steele (Sicklerville, N.J. / Timber Creek), attacker Aaron Headley (Ridley Park, Pa. / Ridley), midfielder Jacob Powell (Mantua, N.J. / Paul IV), midfielder John Stelacio (Willow Grove, Pa. / Father Judge), midfielder Aden Riley (West Deptford, N.J. / West Deptford), midfielder Brody Moore (West Chester, Pa. / West Chester East), midfielder Tim Ekelund (Staten Island, N.Y. / St. Joseph by the Sea), midfielder Buzz McGuire (Wilmington, Del. / Wilmington Friends), midfielder Nick Senatore (West Deptford, N.J. / West Deptford), goalkeeper Sean Rubin (Lower Merion, Pa. / Lower Merion), Kirken Arpajian (Newtown, Pa. / Council Rock North), midfielder Gannon Mulloy (Northfield, N.J. / Mainland Regional), defender Will Galvin (Staten Island, N.Y. / Saint Joseph by the Sea), defender Ryan King (Trappe, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley), attacker Thomas Laurenzano (Staten Island, N.Y. / Monsignor Farrell), midfielder Logan Pacheco (Sicklerville, N.J. / Timber Creek), goalkeeper Luke Kondovski (Pompton Lakes, N.J. / Pompton Lakes), midfielder Brady Lynch (Vorhees, N.J. / Eastern Regional), and defender Joe DiLauro (Staten Island, N.Y. / Monsignor Farrell).
 
"We have an incredibly large group of newcomers that will make major impacts this season, including FOGO Carnell Lofton Jr., attackman Aaron Headley, defenseman Colin Wolk, and long stick midfielder Brady Lynch," said Snoddy.

SEASON OUTLOOK

With only six teams in the Atlantic East Conference again this season, four will qualify for the AEC Tournament. Every Conference game will be important.
 
"Our expectation going into this season is to continue to build off the success that we had last year," concluded Snoddy. "This group looks to better themselves and the program every day, intending to play in meaningful games late in the season, and I have no doubt that we have the potential to reach that level."