MEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
The Vermont men's lacrosse team returns to Virtue Field for the first time since last May this weekend when Boston University pays a visit to Burlington. Faceoff is set for 12 p.m. against the Terriers.
All the action can been live and for free on AmericaEast.TV.
 
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LAST TIME OUT
The Catamounts dropped last weekend's season opener on the road at Syracuse, 7-5. Matt Shaffer made 16 saves in his first career start while Jonas Hunter scored twice for the Catamount offense. UVM scored four straight goals to start the second half and grabbed a 5-4 lead before the Orange rattled off the games final three goals to secure the victory. David Closterman recorded a goal and an assist while Tommy Burke when 9-for-16 at the X with seven ground balls.

SHAFFER NETS WEEKLY HONOR
For his effort against the Orange, Shaffer was named America East Defensive Player of the Week – the first weekly award of his career. His 16 saves against Syracuse are the most for any Catamount making his first career start since Ryan Cornell made 10 against Holy Cross in 2020.

PRESEASON POLL
The Catamounts were picked as the unanimous preseason favorite to win the America East by the league's coaches last week. It's the third time in program history UVM has been picked first (2020 & 2022). Vermont received all seven possible first-place votes to take the top spot.

RETURNING FIREPOWER
Despite the departure of one the most successful classes in program history following last season, UVM brings back six members of the America East All-Conference First Team. That group features multi-time All-American Tommy Burke at the faceoff X, David Closterman and Brock Haley – both 50-points scorers in 2022 – as well as dynamic long stick midfielder Nick Alviti, who set the program record for caused turnovers in a single season last year. Meanwhile, No. 1 cover-man Jackson Canfield is back to anchor a stout defensive core than allowed just 9.2 goals per game.

IN THE POLLS
Boston University is ranked 14^th in both the USILA Coaches Poll and the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll to start the season while the Cats are still receiving votes in both polls.

SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
Boston U. – last season's Patriot League Champions and favorites to repeat this year – come into the campaign boasting a strong returning class including a trio of preseason All-Americans. The Patriot League's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Roy Meyer highlights that group as he caused 58 turnovers last season – the most in the country. Joining Meyer are Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Vince D'Alto and Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Garber. The Terriers advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season and fell to Princeton in the First Round.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Saturday marks just the fourth all-time meeting between the two schools with BU holding a slim 2-1 edge. The Terriers have won the last two meetings including a 12-4 victory in the most recent matchup back in 2019.