MEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
 
The 17^th-ranked UVM men's lacrosse team plays its home opener on Saturday afternoon when the Utah Utes make the cross-country trip to Burlington.
 
Opening faceoff between the Cats and Utes is slated for 12 p.m. on AmericaEast.TV.
 
RELATED LINKS
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2022 Schedule
2022 Roster
 
OPENING WEEKEND
The Catamounts staked themselves to a 4-2 halftime advantage against #3 Duke last weekend, but the Blue Devils used a strong second half to pull away, 15-7, in Durham. Michael McCormack scored twice and added an assist to pace the UVM offense while Ryan Cornell made 11 saves in cage. Tommy Burke went 17-for-25 at the faceoff X to go along with 9 ground balls.

McCONVEY ON WATCH
The Tewaaraton Foundation announced the 2022 Tewaaraton Award men's and women's Watch Lists Thursday evening. For the second straight season, midfielder Thomas McConvey was named to the list. McConvey and teammate Michael McCormack were both named last season – the first time for any Catamount since Ian MacKay.
 
PRESEASON POLL
Vermont collected 36 points and all six possible first-place votes to earn the top spot in the America East preseason poll. It is the second time in program history the Cats have been picked first in the poll – the other prior to the 2020 season.
 
CATAMOUNT ALL-AMERICANS
For the first time in program history, the Catamounts have multiple preseason All-Americans heading into 2022. Thomas McConvey and Tommy Burke were both named among the Inside Lacrosse group - Thomas on the Third-Team and Tommy Honorable Mention. McConvey was also named a USILA Preseason Second-Team All-American - the first time in program history a player has been named by the USILA. Ian MacKay '18 was the last Catamount to garner preseason All-American status (2017 - Inside Lacrosse 3rd Team)
 
IN THE POLLS
The Catamounts are ranked in two of the three national preseason polls for the first time in program history. UVM sits at No. 17 in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, No. 19 in the US Lacrosse Magazine Poll and is receiving votes in the USILA Coaches' Poll.
 
SCOUTING THE UTES
The Utes also played opening weekend and nearly dealt #12 Denver a season-opening defeat but the Pioneers escaped with a 14-13 win. That game featured seven lead changes and six ties. Jordan Hyde scored four goals in the season opener and was named Atlantic Sun Player of the Week. Hyde led the Utes in scoring a year ago. Sammy Cambere earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after picked up five ground balls and causing three turnovers.Between the pipes, Zion Dechesere made 10 saves against the Pioneers and Cole Brams went 13-for 31 in the faceoff battle.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
The series history is brief between the Catamounts and Utes with UVM holding a 1-0 edge all-time. Vermont's win came in the season opener in 2019 out in Salt Lake City, 21-6. That matchup was the inaugural game Utah program history. David Closterman scored a hat trick in that ball game – his collegiate debut.