University of Massachusets Athletics
Zielonka Signs With New York Cosmos
February 24, 2026 | Men's Soccer
Nick Zielonka joins the USL1 team for the 2026 season.
AMHERST, Mass. – Former University of Massachusetts forward Nick Zielonka signed a professional contract with the New York Cosmos of the United Soccer League One (USL1).
Zielonka spent three seasons at UMass (2020-23), tallying 13 goals and 14 assists for 40 points. He recorded three game-winning goals, including two in his senior season. He posted 78 shots with 33 shots on goal, and accumulated 2,428 minutes on the pitch for the Minutemen.
The Wallington, New Jersey, native, played in the USL League Two for the Hudson Valley Hammers of Newbergh, New York. There, he scored 31 goals across four summer seasons (2022-25), including nine in 2025. He also competed part of spring 2025 with the amateur club New York Pancyprian Freedoms and started two U.S. Open Cup matches, which included a first-round upset of MLS Next Pro side FC Cincinnati 2.
Zielonka spent three seasons at UMass (2020-23), tallying 13 goals and 14 assists for 40 points. He recorded three game-winning goals, including two in his senior season. He posted 78 shots with 33 shots on goal, and accumulated 2,428 minutes on the pitch for the Minutemen.
The Wallington, New Jersey, native, played in the USL League Two for the Hudson Valley Hammers of Newbergh, New York. There, he scored 31 goals across four summer seasons (2022-25), including nine in 2025. He also competed part of spring 2025 with the amateur club New York Pancyprian Freedoms and started two U.S. Open Cup matches, which included a first-round upset of MLS Next Pro side FC Cincinnati 2.
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