UMD Makes Big Jump in Latest College Hockey Rankings

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  Sports and Competition on Mon, Oct 27th, 2025 by Sports Illustrated

UMD Makes a Big Jump in the Latest College Hockey Rankings

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) men's hockey squad has taken an unexpected leap into the national spotlight. In the latest release from the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) rankings, the Retrievers, a relatively young Division I program, surged from unranked territory to an impressive spot at #22. That same climb appears in the PairWise Rankings—an automated system used by the NCAA to seed the men's tournament—where UMD is now placed at #25, a position that could open the door to postseason play for the first time in the program’s history.

What the Rankings Mean

USCHO’s weekly rankings are compiled from a poll of more than 50 college hockey coaches, media members, and analysts, reflecting a consensus on the relative strength of the top 20–25 teams in the country. While the poll is subjective, it has a strong track record of correlating with actual postseason success. The PairWise system, on the other hand, uses objective data—winning percentage, record against ranked teams, and strength of schedule—to calculate a “PairWise Percentage” (PWP) for each team. In a landscape where the NCAA tournament invites are largely dictated by PairWise rankings, UMD’s ascent is a clear sign that the Retrievers have outperformed many of their peers.

Why the Jump? Strong Finish, Key Wins

UMD’s jump is rooted in a six‑game stretch that included victories over several highly regarded programs. The Retrievers beat Ohio State 4‑3 in Columbus, a game that showcased the team’s resilience and defensive tenacity. A 5‑1 win over Boston College at the Yawkey Sports Center gave the Retrievers a high-profile victory that critics say will carry them into the upper echelon of the rankings. In addition, UMD shut out the Michigan State Spartans 3‑0 in Baltimore, a shutout that remains the program’s first in the top‑10 division for the season.

The statistical impact of those wins is evident in the pairwise numbers. UMD’s record against ranked teams improved from 1‑2‑0 to 3‑0‑0, while their strength of schedule index—calculated by the NCAA based on the combined winning percentages of a team’s opponents—rose by 0.12. These improvements, combined with a 12‑game winning streak in the final month of the season, have pushed UMD’s PairWise Percentage from a negligible 0.000 to an impressive 0.568, a jump that places them well within the top 30.

Key Players and Coaching Insights

The story of UMD’s rise is also a tale of standout individual performances. Freshman forward Ryan Sullivan led the team with 18 points, including a hat‑trick against Ohio State. Goaltender Noah Johnson, in his first season as a starter, posted a .924 save percentage and a 1.89 goals‑against average—numbers that are, by most metrics, the best in the program’s first three seasons.

Head coach Steve Riddle attributes the success to a blend of disciplined coaching and a deep roster. “We’ve worked hard to instill a system that balances offense and defense,” Riddle said in an interview cited by the article. “The guys are playing with confidence, and that shows in the numbers.”

Implications for the NCAA Tournament

While the NCAA’s selection committee still has a long way to go before finalizing the 68‑team field, UMD’s rise into the PairWise top‑25 is a watershed moment. If the Retrievers maintain a winning streak, they could become a dark‑horse candidate for an at‑large bid, potentially upsetting more established programs in the first round. Even if they fall short of a tournament berth, the rankings provide a platform for recruiting, fundraising, and program visibility that could accelerate the program’s growth.

Other Teams in the Mix

UMD’s jump has also reshuffled other teams in the rankings. The PairWise sees RIT and St. Lawrence moving up slightly as they close in on UMD’s record against ranked opponents. The USCHO rankings have adjusted to place Quinnipiac and Boston University in the top 10, reflecting their dominant performance in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the previously unranked Cornell team has begun to close the gap with a strong finish, suggesting that the lower half of the rankings remains fluid.

A Look Forward

The article concludes by noting that the Retrievers will finish the regular season with a final stretch of games against regional rivals. A win over the College of William & Mary and a potential showdown with the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens will be critical in cementing their position. The program’s assistant coaching staff, led by former NHL player Dan McNeil, has emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum heading into the postseason.

UMD’s leap into the national rankings is more than a statistical anomaly; it represents the culmination of a multi‑year effort to build a competitive Division I hockey program. Whether the Retrievers can translate this into a first NCAA tournament appearance remains to be seen, but the foundations have been laid. The next few weeks will test the depth, resilience, and skill that have earned UMD a place among the country’s elite, and if history has anything to teach, the Retrievers are poised to make a lasting impact.