2025 Championship Recap
For the third straight year, the University of Scranton Royals defeated the Elizabethtown College Blue Jays to capture the conference championship.
Game Highlights:
- Scranton struck first with a Quinn Carson goal, but Etown quickly responded to take an early lead.
- The Royals dominated the second quarter, scoring four unanswered goals, including two from freshman David Dubas.
- Scranton maintained control down the stretch, with key goals from Carson, Jason Kozak, Pat McCormack, and Brendan Donohue to seal the 10-6 win.
Top Performers:
- Quinn Carson – 3 G, 2 A, Landmark Championship MVP
- Jason Kozak – 1 G, 3 A
- Pat McCormack – 3 G
- Carsen Kirchner (GK) – 5 saves, set program single-season save record
- Zachariah Palinkas (D) – 5 GB, 4 CT
- John O’Connor (FO) – 65% success rate
PRESEASON POLL
The Landmark Conference coaches have spoken, and the University of Scranton enters the 2026 season as the clear favorite, topping the poll with 81 points and nine first-place votes. Elizabethtown College checks in at second with 72 points and one first-place vote, while Catholic University rounds out the top three with 64 points.
Rounding out the field, Susquehanna University (51 points) and Drew University (50 points) are closely matched in the middle of the pack, followed by Moravian University (45 points), Goucher College (36 points), and Lycoming College (21 points). Wilkes University (18 points) and Juniata College (12 points) complete the poll.
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Peter Donley (3rd Season)
- 2025 Record: 9-10 (6-3 Landmark Conference)
- Projected 2026 Finish: 3rd
2025 Recap
Catholic finished the 2025 season at 9-10 overall and 6-3 in conference play, remaining competitive in the Landmark race throughout the year. The Cardinals were paced offensively by Ryan Carickhoff, while Zach Gibson provided defensive consistency as a long-stick midfielder.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 28 goals – Ryan Carickhoff (A)
- 25 goals, 10 assists – Steven Dezelic (A)
- 19 goals – Brady McMahon (M)
- 30 ground balls, 9 caused turnovers – Zach Gibson (LSM)
- 26 ground balls – Connor Baia (FO)
- 50 saves – Colton Manorek (GK)
Key Departures
Catholic will replace significant production after graduating Victor Rosado, the 2025 Landmark Offensive Player of the Year, along with all of the team’s 2025 All-Conference performers. Several multi-year starters at attack, defense, faceoff, and in goal also departed.
DREW UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Dan Leidl (5th Season)
- 2025 Record: 10-7 (6-3 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 5th
2025 Recap
Drew closed the 2025 season with a 10-7 overall record and a 6-3 finish in conference play. The Rangers’ attack was driven by Riley Zeer, while Joe Barnish, an All-Conference selection, anchored the defensive end in goal, helping Drew remain in the postseason conversation.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 10.38 GAA, .561 save percentage – Joe Barnish (GK), 2025 All-Conference Honorable Mention
- 32 goals, 10 assists – Riley Zeer (A)
- 10 goals, 19 assists – Nick Carabetta (A)
- 11 goals, 12 assists – Colin Diodato (A)
- 51 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers – Eli Sanford (M)
- 17 caused turnovers – Salvatore Desiderio (LSM)
Key Departures
Drew will replace major production following the departure of Jake Rainero, the 2025 Landmark Rookie of the Year and one of the conference’s top faceoff specialists. The Rangers also lost Mike DeMayo, an All-Conference Second Team pick, who led the team in goals and assists, along with Luke Bruther, a 2025 All-Conference Second Team selection, and several other high-impact midfield contributors.
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
- Head Coach: Kyle McGuire (6th Season)
- 2025 Record: 11-7 (8-1 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 2nd
2025 Recap
Elizabethtown posted an 11-7 overall record and an 8-1 mark in Landmark play, earning a runner-up finish in the conference. The Blue Jays leaned on the offensive production of Second Team All-Conference performer Tristan Coleman, while Peter Pitrelli, who was named Second Team All-Conference, helped steady the defensive midfield.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 41 goals, 41 assists, 82 points – Tristan Coleman (A), 2025 All-Conference Second Team
- 29 goals, 13 assists, 42 points – Finn Kristan (A)
- 24 goals, 7 assists, 31 points – Reese Levinson (M), 2025 All-Conference Second Team
- 39 ground balls, 7 caused turnovers – Peter Pitrelli (SSDM), 2025 All-Conference Second Team
- 7 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers – Jack Gress (D)
Key Departures
Elizabethtown will replace major production after graduating Brayden Franey (G), a multiple-time All-Conference selection (First Team 2022, Second Team 2023–25), Lucca Scomillio (A), and Jake Woodworth (M), who combined for a large share of the team’s scoring and leadership. The returning core provides a strong foundation for the upcoming season as the squad looks to return to the top of the conference.
GOUCHER COLLEGE
- Head Coach: Kyle Hannan (4th Season)
- 2025 Record: 11-8 (3-6 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 7th
2025 Recap
Goucher turned in an 11-8 overall record while finishing 3-6 in conference play in 2025. The Gophers were powered offensively by 2025 Honorable Mention selection Jacob Morgan, while Nick Gambone anchored the defensive unit.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 72 goals, 5 assists, 77 points – Gianni Karam (A)
- 39 goals, 57 assists, 96 points – Jacob Morgan (A), 2025 All-Conference Honorable Mention
- 52 points (30 goals, 22 assists) – Milan Temple (M)
- 38 ground balls, 26 caused turnovers – Nick Gambone (D), started every game
Key Departures
Goucher will replace significant production after losing Tyler May (M), Sean Nolan (D), and Jack Smith (GK), who started every game and anchored the defensive end.
JUNIATA COLLEGE
- Head Coach: Dylan Abplanalp (2nd Season)
- 2025 Record: 3-14 (0-9 Landmark Conference)
- 2025 Projected Finish: 10th
2025 Recap
Juniata closed the 2025 campaign at 3-14 overall and 0-9 in Landmark competition. The Eagles were paced offensively by Sterling Bechler, while a young defensive group gained valuable experience.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 27 goals, 12 assists – Sterling Bechler (M)
- 25 goals, 5 assists – Liam Walsh (M)
Key Departures
The Eagles graduated Vincent Bechler (M) and Reuben Stoll (M/D), who combined for a significant portion of last season’s scoring and playmaking.
LYCOMING COLLEGE
- Head Coach: Tony Mackin (3rd Season)
- 2025 Record: 6-9 (2-7 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 8th
2025 Recap
Lycoming finished the 2025 season at 6-9 overall and 2-7 in Landmark action. The Warriors were led offensively by Brogan Wooley, while Luis Servin played a key role defensively, contributing ground balls and caused turnovers throughout the year.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 25 goals, 11 assists – Brogan Wooley (A)
- 6 goals, 13 assists, 8 ground balls – Cesar Carmona-Felipe (M)
- 32 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers – Luis Servin (D)
- 22 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers – Cole Slezak (D)
Key Departures
Lycoming will replace major production after graduating several high-impact players, including Joey Hoover (A), Sean Farrell (A), Shayne Wilson (M), Jakob Switzer (D, 2025 All-Conference Honorable Mention), and goalkeeper Ben Franco, a two-time All-Conference Honorable Mention (2024–25).
MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Dave Carty (12th Season)
- 2025 Record: 9-7 (5-4 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 6th
2025 Recap
Moravian went 9-7 overall and 5-4 in Landmark play during the 2025 campaign. The Greyhounds relied on Nick Coffaro to generate offense, while Liam Kelly provided stability in net as Moravian remained competitive throughout the conference slate.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 25 goals, 24 assists – Nick Coffaro (A)
- 30 goals – Ryan Kokoszka (A)
- 44-of-90 faceoffs, 28 ground balls – Owen Deady (FO)
- 35 ground balls, 26 caused turnovers – Mike Sickler (D)
- 28 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers – James Panico (D)
- 143 saves, 8–7 record – Liam Kelly (GK)
Key Departures
Moravian will replace significant experience after losing several decorated contributors, including Aaron Judge, a three-time All-Conference selection, along with Trevor Dzama, Aden Moskovitz, and Jason Levy, each two-time All-Conference performers. The Greyhounds also graduated key pieces in the midfield, at the faceoff X, and on the defensive end, accounting for a large share of last season’s scoring, possession, and leadership.
UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
- Head Coach: Michael Hofmeister (9th Season)
- 2025 Record: 12-9 (9-0 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 1st
2025 Recap
Scranton delivered a dominant 2025 campaign, finishing 12-9 overall and a perfect 9-0 in Landmark play while securing its third straight conference championship. The Royals were fueled offensively by First Team selection, Kyle Holmes, and anchored defensively by Carsen Kirchner in goal, who was also named to the First Team All-Conference.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 47 goals, 54 points – Kyle Holmes (A), 2025 All-Conference First Team
- 32 goals, 17 assists, 49 points – Jason Kozak (M), 2025 All-Conference First Team
- 43 ground balls, 17 caused turnovers – Colin Giarusso (SSM), 2025 All-Conference First Team
- 32 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers – Thomas Popolizio (LSM), 2025 All-Conference First Team
- 240 saves – Carsen Kirchner (GK), 2025 All-Conference First Team
- 37 goals, 13 assists, 50 points – Quinn Carson (A), 2025 All-Conference Second Team
- 48 ground balls, 28 caused turnovers – Connor Cole (D), 2025 All-Conference Second Team
Key Departures
Scranton will replace key defensive and faceoff pieces following the graduation of Zach Palinkas, the 2025 Landmark Defensive Player of the Year, along with Liam Sayre and John O’Connor, both All-Conference Honorable Mention selections. Despite those losses, the Royals return the core of a team that dominated conference play in 2025.
SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Stewart Moan (19th Season)
- 2025 Record: 13-6 (5-4 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 4th
2025 Recap
Susquehanna compiled a 13-6 overall record and went 5-4 in Landmark action during the 2025 season. Among the returning core, Pat McDermott led the offense, while Marc Manfredonia emerged as a key defensive presence as the River Hawks navigated a demanding schedule.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 17 goals, 10 assists, 27 points – Pat McDermott (A)
- 17 goals, 7 assists, 24 points – Reese Ackerman (M)
- 12 goals, 6 assists, 18 points – Nick Remund (M)
- 86-of-162 faceoffs, 35 ground balls – Brandon Cash (FO)
- 16 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers – Marc Manfredonia (D)
Key Departures
Susquehanna must replace a historic senior class that accounted for much of the team’s scoring and leadership. The River Hawks lose three standout attackers, Jack Gaillard (two-time All-Landmark), Chris Ciccarello (Second Team 2025), and Brennan Lorence (three-time All-Landmark), along with top midfielders Marshall Woodrosky and Kieran Thomas (both three-time All-Landmark) and Aidan Kennedy (two-time All-Landmark) on defense. In goal, Augie Granatelli also departs after anchoring the River Hawks’ net for multiple seasons.
WILKES UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Jordan Drumheller (1st Season)
- 2025 Record: 4-13 (1-8 Landmark Conference)
- 2026 Projected Finish: 9th
2025 Recap
Wilkes endured a challenging 2025 season, finishing 4-13 overall and 1-8 in conference play. Stone Sosnovik led the Colonels offensively, while Michael Raush provided defensive consistency.
By the Numbers (Returners)
- 29 goals, 6 assists – Stone Sosnovik (M)
- 22 goals, 8 assists – Tim Hartka (A)
- 15 goals, 43 assists, 32 ground balls – Austin Sosnovik (A)
- 40 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers – Michael Raush (D)
Key Departures
Wilkes graduated Anthony Del Duca (M) and Jackson Casper (A), who combined for 36 goals and 18 assists during the 2025 season. These losses leave a significant gap in offensive production and leadership from the senior class.
Credits:
Created with an image by Orod - "Dark carbon fiber texture with subtle lighting, abstract dark blue background with grid-like fiber texture and light highlights."