The SUNY Potsdam men's lacrosse team kicks off its 2025 season at home against Utica University this Saturday. The Bears had a record of 10-6, 4-3 in the SUNYAC in 2024. Potsdam advanced to the conference championship game for the second time in program history, knocking off top-seeded Cortland in the semifinals.
 
Gill Conners takes over as the eighth head coach in program history. Conners replaces four-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year Rick Berkman, who moved to an administrative role after leading the Bears for 30 seasons. Conners comes to the North Country after six seasons at Division I St. Bonaventure University. He has named former professional player and Division I All-American Ty Thompson to his staff for the 2025 campaign. Returning to the staff is former All-SUNYAC attackman Cam Talcott '22 for his third year with the program. Former Bear faceoff man Talon Thompson also joins the Bears coaching staff this season as an assistant.
  
The Bears have three All-SUNYAC players returning to the lineup. Junior goalie Saka Thompson (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) was first team all-conference. Senior midfielder Owen Walsh (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) is a two-time All-SUNYAC player, earning recognition in 2022 and 2024. Senior defender Cole Slavin (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) was named to the second team last year.
 
Thompson became the 10th All-American in program history last spring. The goalie recorded a .632 save percentage with a conference-leading goals-against-average of 8.14. He helped the team win 10 games for the fifth time in program history.
 
The Bears have four returning captains with one new addition. Senior attackman Cobie Cree (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) totaled 25 goals, 19 assists and 12 caused turnovers a year ago. Senior long-stick midfielder Ben Lagoner (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) is back after playing in all 16 games with 34 ground balls and nine caused turnovers. Slavin retains his captain status after recording 29 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers, while starting every game. Senior goalie Liam O'Neil (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) returns after playing in eight games with the Bears. Junior midfielder Jakob Lynch (Alexandria Bay, N.Y./Alexandria) was selected as the new captain for 2025. He played in every contest with 30 ground balls and six caused turnovers.
 
Offense
The Bears will miss Peyton Walsh '24, the program's all-time leading goal scorer, but they have plenty of offense returning. Owen Walsh is the Bears' top returning scorer. He tallied 39 goals and 16 assists for 55 points while playing in all 16 games. He also collected 19 ground balls and caused nine turnovers. Cobie Cree was third in goals last season. Senior midfielder Drew Rose (Brasher Falls, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) played in 15 games, netting 24 goals, 16 assists and 20 ground balls. Senior midfielder Ryan Hughes (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) started every contest and recorded 16 goals, eight assists and 15 ground balls. Junior midfielder Tyler Gould (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) played in all 16 games, totaling 14 goals, five assists and 23 ground balls. Junior faceoff specialist Drew Costello (Ogdensburg, N.Y.OFA) had a strong season last year playing in all 16 games and winning .527 percent of his chances (183-347). He also led the team with 86 ground balls.
 
Senior attackman Drew Talcott (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam) returns for his senior season with the Bears. Junior attackmen Crayton Cree (Hogansburg, N.Y./Salmon River) and Rowisonkies Barnes (Akwesasne, N.Y./The Hill Academy) are each back for their junior seasons. The duo is healthy this spring and looks to make a major impact on the offense. Tompkins Cortland Community College transfer Billy Kozloski (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) registered 40 points on 24 goals and 16 assists in just six games for the Panthers a couple seasons ago. Sophomore attackman Mick O'Donnell (Watertown, N.Y./Watertown) joins the team after transferring from Division II Saint Leo's University.
 
Midfield
The rest of the Bears' midfield is very experienced. Graduate student midfielder Casey Hooper (Massena, N.Y./Massena) played in 10 contests last spring. Lynch, along with Nick Long (Elbidge, N.Y./Jordan-Elbridge), Eriq Bowie (Hanover, N.Y./Hanover) and Brock Chasey (Macedon, N.Y./Gananda) all return to the team for their junior seasons. Sophomore Braden Fahey (Halfmoon, N.Y./Shenendehowa) played in 13 contests last season. Sophomores Andrew Gubbins (South Pomfret, Vt./Woodstock Union), Aiden Tice (Schenectady, N.Y./Guilderland) and Morgan Fox (Clayton, N.Y./Thousand Islands) give the Bears even more experience.
 
Six freshmen come to Potsdam to battle for playing time this season. Will Walsh (Pompton Lakes, N.J./Bergan Catholic), Tye Doxtater (Chaumont, N.Y./Thousand Islands), Kyan Combs (Watertown, N.Y./Watertown), Sebastien Laughing (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River), Grant Dicob (Watertown, N.Y./Carthage) and Preston Daniels (Peru, N.Y./Peru) all make their collegiate debuts in 2025.
 
Long-Stick Midfield
Lagoner returns as one-of-the three long-stick midfielders. Senior Ben Welch (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) is also back after playing in 13 contests a year ago, totaling 12 ground balls and three caused turnovers. Junior Ryan Wassmer (Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford) saw time in 15 games last season with 18 ground balls and six caused turnovers.
 
Defense
Slavin, junior Alex Farben-Griggs (White Plains, N.Y./White Plains) and sophomore Jack McCandless (Victor, N.Y./Victor) will anchor the Bears defense again this season. Farben-Griggs played in 15 games with 11 starts, acquiring 27 ground balls and eight caused turnovers. McCandless had 13 starts in 15 games scooping up 26 ground balls and causing 14 turnovers last year. Junior Tommy Storrin (Brasher Falls, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) participated in 15 games with eight caused turnovers. Junior Grayson Jackson (Carthage, N.Y./Carthage) is back after playing in nine games. Senior Owen Dunham (Whitney Point, N.Y./Whitney Point) played in five contests, while sophomore Thomas Long (Elbridge, N.Y./Jordan-Elbridge) played in four. Monroe Community College transfer, sophomore Lucas Preston (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) collected 15 ground balls and caused five turnovers in seven games for the Tribunes a year ago. Freshman Erik Wisnoski (Macedon, N.Y./Gananda) completes the Bears' defensive corps.
 
Goal
Three goalies are back to play for the Bears this season. Thompson is the clear-cut starter again in 2025. O'Neil gives the Bears another proven keeper and leader. Graduate student Chris Wilk (Rutland, Vt./Rutland) is another solid option for the team.
 
Schedule
After opening the season with Utica, the Bears are on the road against SUNY Brockport (March 7), Lebanon Valley College (March 10) and Albright College (March 12). They travel to SUNY Poly on Saturday, March 22. The Bears host Clarkson on March 25 at 7 p.m. under the lights. SUNYAC play starts Saturday, March 29 against new conference, but familiar foe SUNY Canton at Maxcy Turf Field. The team hosts No. 10 St. Lawrence University for a non-conference game on April 1 at 4 p.m. After an away game against Oswego State (April 5), the Bears host Morrisville State on Wednesday, April 9 and SUNY Oneonta on Saturday, April 12. The team will travel to SUNY Cortland on Saturday, April 19. The road games for the season end at Plattsburgh State on Wednesday, April 23. They wrap up the regular season at home against SUNY New Paltz on Saturday, April 26.
 
Coverage
Live video and statistics of all home contests will be provided as they have in each of the last 12 seasons. Check potsdambears.com for all news and schedule updates.
 
SUNY Potsdam Men's Lacrosse Links:
Schedule: https://potsdambears.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/schedule
Live Video for Home Contests: https://fan.hudl.com/potsdambears
Live Statistics for Home Contests: https://webspace.potsdam.edu/groups/sports/m_lax/XLIVE.HTM