BOSTON, Mass. – The America East Conference unveiled its preseason coaches' poll today ahead of the fast-approaching 2024 season.

The Catamounts collected 39 points and one first-place vote to earn the second spot in the preseason poll.

RELATED LINKS
America East Release | 2024 Schedule

Bryant was picked first with 47 points and five first-place votes. UAlbany picked up the remaining two first-place votes and 38 points to finish third in the poll. 

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

After being picked first last season, Vermont finished with a 9-5 record and won the league's regular-season title for the third straight year. The Cats went unbeaten against league teams in 2023, outscoring America East foes 99-56 in seven games before losing in the semifinals to UAlbany. 

Despite the departure of a talented class, the 2024 Catamounts feature plenty of veteran talent and youth. Brock Haley returns after recording back-to-back 50-point seasons. America East All-Rookie team members Tristan Whitaker and Carson Boyle also return to bolster the attack. Defensively, second-team all-conference selection Tim Manning returns to provide a veteran presence. Two-time first-team all-conference selection Patrick Murphy also returns to help anchor the defensive midfield. 

Vermont's 2023 roster comprises 45 players from 17 states and one Canadian province. 11 first-year players and two transfers join the Catamounts in 2024.

The Cats play at Virtue Field for the first time since last May when Harvard pays a visit to Burlington on Mar. 2.

2024 Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll 

School Points (1st)

1. Bryant 47 (5)

2. Vermont 39 (1)

3. UAlbany 38 (2)

4. Binghamton 33

5. UMBC 28

T6. Merrimack 16

T6. NJIT 16

8. UMass Lowell 7