ST. MARY’S CITY, MD – Senior defenseman Joe Szymanski from Easton earned United East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week honors for the week ending March 30, 2026. This marks his second award of the 2026 season and third career selection.
The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s lacrosse team went 2-0 on the road last week, defeating Southern Virginia University 15-4 on March 24 and Penn College 13-10 on March 28. Szymanski anchored the Seahawks’ defense with 11 ground balls and three caused turnovers across the two victories.
At Southern Virginia, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound defender from Easton High School scored his second career goal as a Seahawk while leading the unit with six ground balls and one caused turnover. Against Penn College in Williamsport, Pa., he collected five ground balls and caused two turnovers. His efforts helped hold the Wildcats scoreless in the fourth quarter after they managed just five shots in the period.
Szymanski leads the United East Conference with 24 caused turnovers and ranks fifth league-wide with 60 ground balls this season. He previously received the defensive player of the week award on March 16.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland improved to 8-4 overall, and 2-0 in United East Conference play with the pair of road wins. The Seahawks are scheduled to face No. 8 York College of Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 4, at 12 p.m. in non-conference action in York, Pa.
The United East Conference announced the weekly honors on March 30. Other 2026 defensive players of the week include Ty Spencer of St. Mary’s College on Feb. 16, Ryan Twist of Penn College on Feb. 23, Hunter Shank of Pitt-Bradford on March 2 and March 23, and Adam Martin of St. Mary’s College on March 9. Szymanski earned the nod for the March 16 and March 30 weeks.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, located in St. Mary’s City in Southern Maryland, competes in NCAA Division III and the United East Conference. The men’s lacrosse program draws student-athletes from across the region, including the Eastern Shore, and provides local fans opportunities to follow competitive collegiate sports close to home in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
Szymanski, a business major who transferred from Harford Community College, has emerged as a steady presence on the Seahawk defense. His consistent production in ground balls and his ability to cause turnovers have contributed to St. Mary’s strong defensive showing during the early portion of the conference schedule.
The upcoming matchup against ranked York College will test the Seahawks on the road as they continue their 2026 campaign. Fans can follow results and statistics through the official St. Mary’s College of Maryland athletics website.