The Penn College Wildcats men’s lacrosse team is set to begin its 2026 season with a nonconference game at Susquehanna University on Saturday. The team returns 10 United East All-Conference players after achieving the program’s best record in 2025, finishing with 14 wins and five losses overall, and a strong performance in conference play.
Jordan Williams will lead the Wildcats for his sixth season as head coach. He holds a career record of 48-31. Key returning players include sophomore attack Elliot Dotson, who last year scored 43 goals and made 53 assists; sophomore attack Owen Kupsey, who contributed 54 goals; senior attack AJ Dotson; junior midfielder Aidan McFalls; junior midfield Will Ehret; junior goalie Ryan Twist; senior long stick middle Austin Callahan; sophomore faceoff Levi Borkowski; sophomore faceoff Antonio Santora; junior defender Ian Stambaugh; and junior midfield Jake Small.
The Wildcats will miss key graduates Walt Heiser, Mason Nestor, and Gage McClune but add several freshmen to their roster this year: midfielder Tate Renaud, defender Charlie Monsell, defender Collin DePace, long stick middle Ryder Palubinski, midfielder Quinn Smith, attack Chase Kaplan, and midfielder Isaiah Sensenig.
Elliot Dotson was recognized as both United East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie Player of the Year last season. The Wildcats had six first-team all-conference selections—another program record—and placed second in the United East Conference.
Coach Williams commented on the team’s prospects: “The expectations are high, and our ceiling is to be determined,” Williams said. “We lost a few four-year starters to graduation, but we return a bulk of our production in all phases of the game, while also welcoming a strong freshman class that will be fighting to contribute right away. We have once again made our schedule tougher to challenge us early and often to prepare for a conference championship push.
“Our theme as a program for this season: Not Satisfied — we want more, and we as a program are expecting more from everyone to continue to work on themselves to make us better as a whole. The question we pose with this theme: What would a conference champion do today? We aren’t competing for the championship today … but we can prepare and work toward that goal daily, which would earn us the opportunity to do just that.
“The focus and skill from this group is another step up from last year, and they have set extremely high goals as a group. This group is becoming closer each day with practices, community service, and team events. All the work we put in during the offseason on and off the field is starting to show with the chemistry, the relationships, and the on-field skill. It is an exciting thing to see.
“Schedule-wise, we have a lot of familiar teams, but as mentioned, we added a few new teams to really see where we could be. Our first half of the season will be grueling, but that is what our young men have asked for — meaningful games against strong opponents week-in and week-out. Heading into conference play after testing ourselves will make sure we are prepared for the teams we see and for the games that matter for our postseason chances.
“We are excited for the opportunity to set a new standard again this season as ‘team six’ makes its mark, reflecting on past lessons, and moving our program forward in a positive direction.”
This season brings changes within their league—the United East Conference—as Notre Dame (Md.) University and Pitt-Bradford join while Bryn Athyn College and Rosemont College depart. St. Mary’s (Md.) College remains defending champion after four consecutive titles.
The top four regular-season teams will advance to semifinals scheduled for April 29th with finals taking place May 2nd.
Penn College Wildcats Men’s Lacrosse competes in college athletics within the United East Conference at Pennsylvania College of Technology based in Williamsport.UPMC Field serves as their home venue—a dedicated lacrosse facility.The official website provides additional details about their location in Williamsport.
