Tuesday’s entry is the second installment of a week-long series taking a look at each of the seven Division I programs in this state according to their order of finish from last season. Check back on Wednesday for a preview of Towson, and The Sun’s lacrosse preview is slated to be published on Thursday, Feb. 17. Today is UMBC’s turn.

Overview: The Retrievers endured a 4-9 record, their worst mark under coach Don Zimmerman since going 3-9 in 1996. Instability in the cage, the absence of a consistent offense, and a lack of depth plagued UMBC, which had won three of the previous four America East Tournament championships prior to last spring. Returning to that stage could be an arduous task with Stony Brook poised to make a deep run into the postseason, but Zimmerman has demonstrated a knack for maximizing his team’s talents and potential.

Reason for optimism: The Retrievers will need the defense to lead the way while a young and inexperienced offense finds its footing. Junior defensemen Tim Shaeffer and Aaron Verardi became starters after midseason, and Dave Stock, a senior who transferred from CCBC-Essex, might be the third starter. A group that includes sophomores Riley Hansen, Sam McKelvey and Lucas Wood and freshmen Ian Gray and Breck Merritt also shows promise, Zimmerman said. “You win by playing good defense, so obviously, it’s important,” Zimmerman said last Wednesday.

Reason for pessimism: UMBC bid farewell to a large senior class, opening the door for a sizable youth movement. In fact, 28 of the 36 players on the roster are freshmen and sophomores, but Zimmerman refuses to call this a “rebuilding” year. “When you have a young team, there are always going to be growing pains,” he said. “I don’t like to use the term rebuilding. I think you go into each season optimistic. You go in with the intention of winning every game – whether that’s realistic or not, that remains to be seen. But that’s got to be the approach. I would say it’s more of a refocusing year.”