SEASON OVERVIEW
 
The 2026 season was another milestone year for the Immaculata University men's lacrosse program, as the Mighty Macs finished 12-6 overall and 3-1 in Atlantic East Conference play while reaching the Atlantic East Conference Championship game for the second straight season. The 12 victories marked just the third double-digit win season in program history and the second consecutive year the team achieved that feat.
 
Under first-year head coach Kent Snoddy, Immaculata navigated a demanding schedule with one of the program's youngest rosters, featuring 19 freshmen, five sophomores, five juniors, seven seniors, and one graduate student. The Mighty Macs responded with an impressive 8-4 record in non-conference competition before winning three of four conference contests to secure the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic East Conference Tournament.
 
After opening the season with a loss at Arcadia University on February 14, the Mighty Macs earned their first victory of the season dramatically during the home opener against Saint Vincent College on February 21. In a defensive battle at Draper Walsh Stadium, Jason Smaron scored the game-winning goal with just 10 seconds remaining to secure a 7-6 victory and give Coach Snoddy his first collegiate head coaching win.
 
One of the season's signature comeback victories came on March 11 against Aurora University. Trailing 9-6 late in the third quarter, Immaculata scored with nine seconds left in the period to narrow the deficit before erupting for six unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to complete a 13-10 comeback win.
 
In postseason play, Immaculata hosted Gwynedd Mercy University in the Atlantic East Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive season. The Mighty Macs delivered a dominant 14-4 victory to advance to the championship game, where they fell to Marymount University by an 11-7 score in the conference final.
 
Despite the championship game setback, the 2026 campaign further established the Mighty Macs as one of the top Atlantic East Conference programs. It provided valuable experience for a young roster poised to build on consecutive championship game appearances.
 
TEAM LEADERS

Goals: Jason Smaron 32
Assists: Jason Smaron 36
Points: Jason Smaron 68
Ground Balls: Matthew Ludlow 78
Caused Turnovers: Colin Wolk 27
Saves: Matthew Ludlow 260
Wins: Matthew Ludlow 12
Faceoffs: Carnell Lofton Jr. 104
 
AWARDS

Matthew Ludlow: AEC Defensive Player of the Year, All-Atlantic East Conference First Team.
Jason Smaron: All-Atlantic East Conference First Team.
Colton Rhoades: All-Atlantic East Conference First Team.
Aaron Headley: All-Atlantic East Conference Second Team.
Ryan Gorman: All-Atlantic East Conference Second Team.
Colin Wolk: All-Atlantic East Conference Second Team.
Seth Panowitz: Atlantic East Conference Elite Scholar Award.
 
HIGHTLIGHTS

Matthew Ludlow earned Atlantic East Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and First Team All-Conference recognition after leading the team to a 12-win season. Ludlow is tied for first nationally in NCAA Division III with a .653 save percentage while recording 260 saves and a conference-leading 8.19 goals-against average. Registered 17 saves and 12 ground balls in the semifinal win over Gwynedd Mercy. A four-time All-Atlantic East First Team selection, he concluded his collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in saves with 976 career stops. His .653 save percentage set an AEC single-season record. 
 
Jason Smaron emerged as one of the conference's top offensive playmakers during the 2026 season, earning All-Atlantic East Conference First Team honors after totaling 68 points on 32 goals and 36 assists. Smaron led the team in points and assists while adding four game-winning goals, highlighted by the game-winner with 10 seconds remaining in the home opener against St. Vincent and the game-tying goal with 19 seconds left against Marymount (Va.) on March 27 to force overtime. He recorded multiple six-point performances during the season and finished with an efficient .735 shots-on-goal percentage, helping power the offense throughout the year.
 
Aaron Headley emerged as one of the top offensive contributors for the Immaculata University men's lacrosse team during the 2026 season, earning 2026 All-Atlantic East Conference Second Team honors following a breakout campaign. Headley started all 18 games for the Mighty Macs and finished the season with 31 goals and 12 assists for 43 points. He recorded 133 shots with 67 shots on goal while adding 29 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers. He also contributed three man-up goals during the year. One of Headley's best performances came on March 21 against King's College, when he posted season highs in goals (5), points (6), and shots on goal (9) in a 10-5 victory.
 
Jude Azzarano developed into a key offensive contributor during the 2026 campaign, starting all 18 games while totaling 52 points on 25 goals and 27 assists. Azzarano earned All-Atlantic East Conference First Team honors after recording eight multi-point performances, including two five-point outings against Aurora and Gwynedd Mercy. He added five man-up goals and consistently contributed in transition with 38 ground balls on the season, helping provide balance and versatility to the team's offense.
 
Ryan Gorman earned All-Atlantic East Conference Second Team honors after finishing the 2026 season with 40 points on 24 goals and 16 assists. A consistent offensive threat throughout the year, Gorman recorded five-point performances against Aurora and four-point outings against Alvernia and Gwynedd Mercy. He also contributed six man-up goals and added strong all-around play with 19 ground balls and eight caused turnovers, finishing his career with 99 total points across three seasons.
 
Colton Rhoades anchored the team's defensive unit during the 2026 season, earning All-Atlantic East Conference First Team honors after leading the team with 26 caused turnovers while adding 56 ground balls. A physical and consistent presence throughout the year, Rhoades recorded multiple standout defensive performances, including four caused turnovers against Aurora and eight ground balls at Neumann. A two-time All-Conference selection, he finished his collegiate career with 123 ground balls and 57 caused turnovers across four seasons as one of the program's most dependable defensive leaders.
 
Daniel Alvarez capped his career with a steady 2026 season, appearing in all 18 games and contributing 40 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers from the defensive midfield. He added his first career goal in the season finale against Marymount (Va.), finishing as a reliable two-way presence throughout the year. A two-time All-Atlantic East Conference selection, Alvarez was previously a First Team honoree in 2023 and Second Team selection in 2025, concluding his career with 155 ground balls and 72 caused turnovers across four seasons.
 
Colin Wolk played a key role in the team's defensive depth during the 2026 season, appearing in all 18 games and earning All-Atlantic East Conference Second Team honors. He totaled 39 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers, including a season-high five caused turnovers in the season opener against Arcadia. A consistent presence on the defensive end, Wolk contributed throughout the year with strong positional play and physicality, helping stabilize the defense across a 12-win campaign. He transferred to Immaculata to play collegiate lacrosse following a two-year absence from the sport.
 
Matthew Frame had a strong offensive season in 2026, appearing in 14 games and totaling 22 points on 19 goals and 3 assists. He delivered several standout performances, including a four-goal outing against Drew and a four-point game with a goal and three assists against Neumann. Frame also added key production throughout the year with multiple multi-goal games and finished his career with 48 points across his collegiate tenure, providing steady scoring depth to the offense.
 
Nick Senatore provided a dynamic spark in the 2026 season, finishing with 35 points on 20 goals and 15 assists across 18 appearances. He delivered several explosive performances, including an eight-point outing (4G, 4A) against Aurora and a five-point game at Manhattanville, highlighting his ability to both finish and facilitate. Senatore added three man-up goals and contributed in transition with 24 ground balls, playing a versatile role in the midfield during the team's 12-win campaign.