BOSTON, Mass. – The University of Vermont men's lacrosse team has been selected by the America East coaches as the preseason conference favorite ahead of the 2020 season.
 
The Catamounts received two first-place votes and 31 total points to edge UMBC (30 points).
 
RELATED LINKS
America East Release
2020 Roster | 2020 Schedule
 
The Catamounts received 31 points and a pair of first-place votes in the coaches poll. UMBC (30), UAlbany (28), and Stony Brook (24) rounded out the top-four preseason choices behind the Catamounts. It marks the first time in program history UVM has been selected as a preseason conference favorite.
 
Vermont finished the 2019 campaign with an 8-7 overall record and 4-2 America East regular season record. The Catamounts advanced to the America East Championship game for the second consecutive year before falling to UMBC, 14-13.
 
The 2020 Catamount roster features 54 players from 13 states, two Canadian provinces, and Germany. There are 19 freshmen and 35 returners on the roster. Vermont returns the reigning America East Rookie of the Year and Second Team All-Conference selection, David Closterman. Three additional All-Conference selections from 2019 return this season: Ben French, Thomas McConvey, and Nick Washuta.
 
Washuta also earned a 2020 Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America Honorable Mention nod last week. Washuta was named a 2020 team captain with French and junior Spencer Decker.
 
Vermont opens the 2020 season on Friday (Feb. 1) with a trip south to take on Jacksonville. The game is slated to begin at 12 p.m. at D.B. Milne Field. Vermont beat Jacksonville in overtime to remain undefeated at 6-0 in 2018.

2020 America East Preseason Poll
1.    Vermont (31 – 2 FP)
2.    UMBC (30 – 3 FP)
3.    UAlbany (28 – 1 FP)
4.    Stony Brook (24 – 1 FP)
5.    UMass Lowell (15)
6.    Binghamton (9)
6.    Hartford (9)