Men's Lacrosse Opens 2026 Season Wednesday on Long Island

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Led by new head coach Ryan McAleavey, the University of Bridgeport's men's lacrosse program will officially begin its fourth year on Wednesday afternoon on Long Island. The Purple Knights will visit Farmingdale State to start their 15-game regular-season campaign.

WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
Wednesday's season opener will serve as the first of four non-conference contests to start the year for UB. The Purple Knights will host NE10 foes, Franklin Pierce (Feb. 21) and Bentley (Feb. 25), before visiting Molloy on March 4.

Bridgeport will play its first CACC game on March 7 at Chestnut Hill. UB's home conference games will consist of Post (March 11), Felician (March 21), Caldwell (March 28), and Dominican (April 18).

UB's slate also features two additional non-conference matchups with visits to STAC (April 8) and Mercy (April 22).

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?
The Purple Knights finished fifth in the CACC standings for the second straight season in 2025. UB has now tallied identical overall (7-8) and conference (4-4) records for two consecutive years.

The Purple Knights' last two campaigns have also ended the same way with losses at fourth-seeded Post in the CACC quarterfinals.

WHO'S BACK?
Experience will serve as a cornerstone for the Purple Knights in 2026, as 25 players return from a year ago — including 13 members of the program's inaugural 2023 squad. That continuity yields 22 upperclassmen and 16 seniors anchoring a veteran-laden roster.

Leading the charge is a trio of 2025 CACC All-Conference standouts in Ryan Thomas, James Napoli and Connor Cullen.

Thomas finished second in the conference in caused turnovers per game (2.67), while Napoli spearheaded the offense with team-best totals of 25 goals, 18 assists and 43 points.

At the faceoff X, Cullen was a force, winning 134-of-213 draws to rank third in the CACC with a .624 win percentage.

Ashton Lankowski and Stephen Trama are also back for UB. The duo ranked second on the squad with 24 goals apiece last season.

WHO LEADS THE WAY?
Piloting this veteran squad is first-year head coach Ryan McAleavey, who arrives at Bridgeport with extensive Division II experience.

McAleavey previously guided Florida Tech from 2010-18, transforming the Panthers from a start-up program into a nationally ranked contender.

In his final season, Florida Tech posted a 9-6 overall record, went 6-1 in conference play, and climbed to No. 9 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Poll and No. 13 in the USILA Coaches Poll.

PRESEASON POLL
The Purple Knights were slotted fourth in the CACC's preseason coaches poll released in January. Georgian Court was selected as the league favorite while Wilmington and Chestnut Hill rounded out the top three.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING? (QUOTES)

Ryan McAleavey – Head Coach, 1^st Season
"When you take over a new program and begin getting to know the guys, there are always plenty of questions — the biggest being whether they'll be coachable and truly buy into what we're teaching. The answer to that has been yes. This has been a great group of young men to work with, and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish this season!"

Connor Cullen – Senior FO
"A lot of us have been here since day one. We've seen the foundation laid, the culture built, and now we're stepping into our senior year. This season feels different — more intentional, more connected, more driven. Excited to finish what we started."

Luca Runyan – Senior LSM
"I transferred here after my freshman year, so I didn't get to see the very beginning of the program or how it was built from the ground up. But being part of this team now, with the group we have and the seniors and leaders leading the way, has made the game fun again. There's a different energy around this season, and it feels special. I'm excited to see where it takes us."

HOW TO FOLLOW
For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, visit www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), X (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).