POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's and women's lacrosse teams open their 2020 campaigns this week. The men travel down Route 11 to take on No. 17 St. Lawrence University tomorrow at 4 p.m. The Bears women host Clarkson University on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Both games have been moved up due to impending cold weather.
 
In her 18th season, head coach Lauren Bruce returns an experienced staff with assistants Rob Kunz '14, Caroline Willis and Lauren Nesshoever. Two-time All-SUNYAC standout Cayla O'Connor '19 is back in a new role as a student assistant.
 
Senior midfielder Sam Mace (Canton, N.Y./Hugh C. Williams) will captain the women's team as it enters its 26th season. Potsdam returns 16 veterans, including four of its top five scorers. Four new faces join the ranks.
 
Seniors Alexa Ferrer (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley), Alli Stark (Walworth, N.Y./Gananda) and Ashley-Lee Burrowes (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) and junior Zoe Morgenroth (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) are back to lead the offense after breakout years in 2019. Ferrer scored 29 goals and assisted on another for a career-high 30 points. She also caused 13 turnovers and collected 14 draw controls and 26 ground balls. Stark registered 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points along with 10 ground balls. Burrowes totaled a personal best 22 points on 11 goals and 11 assists along with 18 draw controls, 17 ground balls and six caused turnovers. Morgenroth also totaled career-highs in goals and points with 23 and 26. She also contributed 12 ground balls, eight caused turnovers and six draw controls.
 
Senior Kayla McCabe (Watertown, N.Y./General Brown) and juniors Gabby Hobika (New Hartford, N.Y./New Hartford), Tess Connell (Dexter, N.Y./General Brown) and sophomore Kerry Mayette (Madrid, N.Y./Madrid-Waddington) are back to lead the defense. With the graduation of Katie Longamore '19, Potsdam will be inexperienced in goal, where junior Olivia Woolheater (Remsen, N.Y./Remsen) and freshman Netta Terrance (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) will compete for time.
 
After the opener with the Golden Knights, the Bears host Wells College on March 4 and then travel to Morrisville State on March 6. Potsdam then heads to Hilton Head, S.C. for spring break to face Husson College on March 10 and Norwich University on March 12. The Bears play three more nonconference games during the season. They host Elmira College on March 14 before traveling to SUNY Poly on March 29 and SUNY Canton on April 21. Potsdam opens SUNYAC play at SUNY Oneonta on March 21. The Bears' conference home opener is against Plattsburgh State on March 25. The also host SUNYAC opponents Oswego State, SUNY Cortland and Buffalo State. In addition to Oneonta, their road SUNYAC schedule includes SUNY Fredonia, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Geneseo and then the College at Brockport to wrap up the regular season on April 25.
 
Fans can watch Wednesday's game and follow the live stats here:
 
Live Stats: http://wwwx.potsdam.edu/sports/w_lax/xlive.htm
Live Video: https://potsdambears.com/sports/2015/10/15/WLAX_1015151431.aspx
 
 
Three-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year Rick Berkman guides his men's program into his 26th season. Assistant Todd Kaiser is back for his 14th year on the staff. Castleton grad Brandon Myron is the new addition, replacing two-year assistant and former Bears standout Lindsey Pound '16.
 
Three seniors will captain the Bears this season. Two-time first team All-SUNYAC midfielder Josh Huiatt (Lisbon, N.Y./Hugh C. Williams), defender Ryan Canham and faceoff specialist Luke Vitale (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe) will guide the team. Potsdam will field a young team with 18 veterans and 16 newcomers.
 
Three of the Bears' top five scorers return in 2020. Huiatt leads the way off his best offensive season. He scored 26 goals and recorded 20 assists for 46 points, picked up 36 ground balls and caused eight turnovers. Senior attackman Tayte Murray (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) also had a career-year with 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points along with 17 ground balls. Sophomore midfielder Alec Miller (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South) had a strong collegiate debut season with six goals and 10 assists. A pair of sophomore Potsdam natives look to increase their production and bolster the offense. Attackman Cam Talcott (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam) scored seven goals and midfielder Keenan O'Gorman (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam) netted six and an assist.
 
Seniors Cole Zeller (Canton, N.Y./Hugh C. Williams) and Canham anchor the Bears defense again this season. Junior Mike Nowak (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) is the only experienced goalie back for 2020 after the graduation of Zach Sheridan '19. He'll compete for time with sophomore Ben Fuchs (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Calvary Christian Academy) and freshman Nate Prelewicz (Buffalo, N.Y./Clarence).
 
After opening up against the Saints tomorrow, Potsdam heads to Utica on March 4, to take on SUNY Poly. The Bears are then for home for three straight nonconference games against Utica College (March 7), Castleton University (March 10) and Marian University (March 12). Potsdam completes its nonconference slate with road games against Cazenovia College (March 17) and Morrisville State (March 21) and home contests against North Country rivals SUNY Canton (March 19) and Clarkson (March 31). The Bears open SUNYAC play at Geneseo on March 28. They're back home for a league game against Cortland on April 4. Potsdam also hosts SUNYAC foes Plattsburgh, new program New Paltz and Oneonta, while traveling to Brockport and Oswego.
 
Live stats and video (if available) can be found here:
 
Live Stats: https://saintsathletics.com/sidearmstats/mlax/summary
Live Video: https://saintsathletics.com/sports/2014/3/20/MLAX_0320143600.aspx