The SUNY Potsdam men's lacrosse team opens its 2026 season on the road at Utica University this Friday. The Bears had a record of 8-7, 4-3 in the SUNYAC in 2025. The Bears reached the postseason for the second straight year before falling to Cortland in the semifinals.
 
Gill Conners enters his second season as head coach with Drew Gardner (Alfred University '18) joining his staff this season. Gardner served as the defensive coordinator for Division II Wheeling University last season, helping the Cardinals reach the playoffs.
 
Senior midfielder Drew Costello (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) is the lone returning All-SUNYAC honoree for Potsdam after a dominant season at the faceoff X. The Ogdensburg native earned a spot on the second team after finishing second in the league in faceoff winning percentage (.655), faceoffs won (232-354) and ground balls. His 133 ground balls were the second most in a single season for Potsdam. Costello is approaching another program milestone with 280 career ground balls, just 14 away from matching Joe Zech's record of 294 set in 1999.
 
Of the Bears four captains, only senior midfielder Jakob Lynch (Alexandria Bay, N.Y./Alexandria) served in the same capacity a year ago. He is joined Costello, senior midfielder Tommy Storrin (Brasher Falls, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) and junior midfielder Morgan Fox (Clayton, N.Y./Thousand Islands). Lynch played in every contest with 23 ground balls and five caused turnovers to go with a goal and three assists. Storrin is back after playing in 15 games with 17 ground balls and a team-leading 18 caused turnovers. Fox had three goals in 11 games last season.
 

Offense

The Bears will miss the offense of All-SUNYAC selections Owen Walsh '25 and Cobie Cree '25 but have talented players returning. Senior attackman Billy Kozloski (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) is the top returning scorer with 24 goals and three assists for 27 points in 13 games last season. Senior midfielder Tyler Gould (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) played in 10 games last season, totaling seven goals, seven assists and nine ground balls. Junior midfielder Braden Fahey (Halfmoon, N.Y./Shenendehowa) scored 10 goals and had two assists and nine ground balls in 14 contests. Sophomore midfielder Preston Daniels (Peru, N.Y./Peru) got off to a solid start in his freshman season with eight goals and two assists along with eight ground balls and four caused turnovers. Senior attackman Crayton Cree (Hogansburg, N.Y./Salmon River) is also back along with fellow senior attackman Rowisonkies Barnes (Akwesasne, N.Y./The Hill Academy). Barnes looks to break out after losing time to injuries in the past. Two new faces join the attack this spring. Sophomore attackman Braydon Goddard (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) transferred from Vermont State-Castleton where he started 12 games and produced 29 points on 18 goals and 11 assists for the Spartans. Freshman attackman Josh Ayrassian (Canton, N.Y./Hugh C. Williams) was second team All-Northern for Canton's Williams High School.  
 

Midfield

The Bears' midfield has plenty of experience. In addition to previously mentioned Lynch, Storrin, Fox, Costello, Gould, Fahey and Daniels, four other veterans return along with four newcomers. Junior Andrew Gubbins (South Pomfret, Vt./Woodstock Union) had two goals and four assists in 11 games in 2025. Sophomore Grant Dicob (Watertown, N.Y./Carthage) played in every game last season. Seniors Nick Long (Elbridge, N.Y./Jordan-Elbridge) and Brock Chasey (Macedon, N.Y./Gananda) give Potsdam even more depth.
 
Three freshmen and a junior join the roster to battle for playing time this season, all coming from North Country high schools. Freshmen brothers Merrick (North Lawrence, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) and Mason Frary (North Lawrence, N.Y./Ontario Hockey Academy) played for St. Lawrence Central, where Merrick was first team All-Northern. Freshman Ronin Oakes (Hogansburg, N.Y./Massena) was an impact player for Massena. Junior Jordy Mitchell (Akwesasne, N.Y./Massena) was second team All-Northern at Massena.
 

Defense

Of the 12 defenders on the roster, eight are veterans. Senior Alex Farben-Griggs (White Plains, N.Y./White Plains) looks to have another strong season after causing 12 turnovers and collecting 38 ground balls in 15 games with 14 starts. Senior Ryan Wassmer (Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford) played in 15 games with 37 ground balls and seven caused turnovers. Senior Grayson Jackson (Carthage, N.Y./Carthage) started seven games last season, while playing in 13 and causing six turnovers. Junior Jack McCandless (Victor, N.Y./Victor) started nine of his 11 games, while causing six turnovers and collecting 23 ground balls. Juniors Lucas Preston (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili), Erik Wisnoski (Macedon, N.Y./Gananda) and Thomas Long (Elbridge, N.Y./Jordan-Elbridge) and sophomore Tye Doxtater (Chaumont, N.Y./Thousand Islands) will battle for more time this season.  
 
Junior Skylar Running Rabbit (Siksika, Alberta/Strathmore) is new to the team this spring and is joined by three freshmen. Damyn LeClair (Marcellus, N.Y./Marcellus) was All-Central New York three times at Marcellus High School. Roman Valenti (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) comes to Potsdam from Westhill and Ben Clarkson (Watertown, N.Y./Carthage) from Carthage.
 

Goal

Senior Saka Thompson (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) earned All-American and All-SUNYAC honors in 2024. Injuries slowed him down last season. Thompson's 15 career victories are just three shy of Bears Hall of Famer Ryan Henretty's program record 18. Thompson should return to form this spring and prove to be one Potsdam's key weapons. Freshman Tim Brooder (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) will back up Thompson. He was two-time all-league at Lancaster High School.
 

Schedule

After the season opens at Utica, the Bears are home against Alfred State (March 4). The team hosts Brockport on March 7 and Hartwick on March 14. SUNY Poly visits Potsdam on March 21 for Senior Day. The Bears travel across town to Clarkson on March 24.
 
SUNYAC play starts March 28 at Oneonta. The team travels to No. 11 St. Lawrence University for a nonconference game on March 31. The Bears host No. 10 Cortland on April 3. They host Plattsburgh on April 8. Potsdam travels to New Paltz on April 11 and Morrisville on April 18. The road games for the season end at Canton on April 22. The regular season wraps up at home against Oswego on April 25.
 

Coverage

Live video and statistics for all home contests. Check out potsdambears.com for all news and schedule updates as well as coverage of road games.
 
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