A native of Kent Island, Md., Abplanalp was a four-year starting goalie and two-year team captain at Susquehanna University, where he started all 71 games. He earned honorable mention on the 2019 U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-American team and was selected to the USILA all-South Region squads in both 2018 and 2019.

Abplanalp was a three-time All-Landmark Conference selection and was the conference "Rookie of the Year" in 2016. He is the Landmark Conference record holder in career saves and is the River Hawks' record holder in career saves and wins.

At Susquehanna, Abplanalp majored in sports media and he is a self-admitted huge Philadelphia Eagles fan.