MEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
The Vermont men's lacrosse team opens up the 2021 season Saturday afternoon when it travels to Rhode Island to take on Bryant. Faceoff is set for 12 p.m.
 
MEDIA COVERAGE
Saturday's season opener can be seen live and for free via webcast on NEC Front Row.
 
RELATED LINKS
Live Video (Free) | Live Stats | 2021 Schedule | Season Preview Press Conference
 
2020 REVIEW
Vermont wrapped up the shortened 2020 campaign with a 3-1 record – and riding a three-game win streak following a season-opening loss to Holy Cross. UVM defeated Quinnipiac, Merrimack and then closed out the season with a thrilling 9-8 win over Dartmouth at Virtue Field. By the time faceoff arrives on Saturday it will have been 357 days since that Cats last played another opponent.
 
TOP CATS RETURN
Vermont returns five of its top seven scorers from 2020 and a stingy defense that gave up just 33 goals in four games last year. Former all-conference selections Thomas McConvey, David Closterman and Liam Limoges highlight a talented offensive group while senior goalkeeper Ryan Cornell – who saw action in three games in 2020 – anchors a defense that forced the third most turnovers per game in America East last year.
 
SCOUTING BRYANT
The Bulldogs come into Saturday's game with a 1-1 record after splitting games against Providence and Stony Brook. Junior Logan McGovern (Player of the Week) and first-year Nathan Laliberte (Rookie of the Week) both received Northeast Conference weekly honors earlier this week. Laliberte ranks 6^th nationally in faceoff win percentage as he's winning draws at a 69.8% clip. Bryant is receiving votes both the USILA and Inside Lacrosse Media poll this week.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
The series history is brief between the Bulldogs and Catamounts with the two teams having split four total games – each team is 2-0 at home all-time. In March of 2013 – the last matchup between the two – Vermont edged Bryant, 6-5, in overtime at Virtue Field.