ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men's lacrosse team, fresh off the program's 10^th America East title, is set to open the 2025 season on Friday afternoon against Colgate. The matchup with the Raiders is set for 1:00 p.m. from Casey Stadium with coverage on ESPN+.  
 
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Friday's matchup was originally scheduled to be played at Colgate on Saturday, Feb. 15. Due to weather and field conditions at Colgate, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon that the date and location would be changing.
 
Friday's game at Casey Stadium will be free and open to the public. Parking is also free to fans in Broadview and Dutch lots.
 
Game Info
Friday, February 14,
UAlbany vs. Colgate
Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, N.Y.
1:00 p.m.
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Digital Fan Program
 
Leading the Pack

• Last season, attackman Silas Richmond led the America East in both Goals (46) and points (73), finishing tied for fourth in assists with 27. Richmond was named a Preseason All-Conference selection by the America East and was named Preseason All-American Honorable Mention by both Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse. In last year's season opener against Colgate, Richmond accounted for four goals.
• Goalkeeper Landon Whitney started every game for the Great Danes in 2024 as a true freshman. He posted a GAA of 11.25, good for third in the conference, a .488 save percentage, and averaged 10.5 saves per game. He was named to the America East All-Rookie Team.
• Also a true freshman last season, Ryan Doherty had a year to remember. The 2024 America East Rookie of the Year, Doherty found the back of the net 37 times – good for third in the entire conference. He added 13 helpers for an even 50 points, good for sixth in the conference.
• Conner Fingar is coming off a season in which he was named an America East First Team All-Conference selection. The midfielder is looking to have another strong season for the Purple & Gold on defense, offense, and transition. In 2024, he tallied three goal and three assists on offense, adding 30 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers on defense.
• Defenseman Max Neeson was named to the America East's Preseason All-Conference Team to start the year. He is UAlbany's top-returning player for both ground balls (41 in 2024) and caused turnovers (16).
• Scott Marr was named the America East Coach of the Year for the seventh time in his career last season. The legendary coach returns in 2025 for his 25^th season.

 
History with Colgate
Friday will be the sixth all-time meeting between UAlbany and Colgate. The Raiders currently own the series advantage, 3-2. Colgate took the first two game of the series all the way back in 2000 and 2001. UAlbany took the win in the next meeting between the two foes in 2007 before going on a 14-year hiatus between contests. UAlbany took the win in 2021, but Colgate owns the most recent matchup – an 11-10 victory last season at Casey Stadium.
 
Scouting Colgate
Colgate comes into Friday already battle tested, playing games against #14 Penn State and #5 Virginia, both on the road. Both games resulted in losses, 9-14 against Penn State and 9-19 against Virginia.

• The Raiders were picked third in the Patriot League's Preseason Poll.
• Matt LaCombe, Hunter Drouin, Max Yates, Rory Connor, and Aidan Murnane were all named to the Patriot League's Preseason All-League Team.
• LaCombe was named the conference's Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. Through two games, he has posted a 16.5 GAA and a .468 save percentage.
• Yates (Third Team) and Drouin (Honorable Mention) were both named Preseason All-Americans by Inside Lacrosse. Yates was also recently named to the 2025 Tewaaraton Award Watch List.
• In two games this season, Colgate is averaging nine goals per game while allowing 16.5.
• The team owns a .225 shot percentage, an .830 clear percentage, and a .397 faceoff percentage.
• Drouin and Jack Hunter lead the team with five goals each.

 
Picked First
The UAlbany men's lacrosse team was picked to finish first in the conference's annual preseason poll, voted on by all seven of the league's head coaches.
 
UAlbany finished with a total of 36 points and six of the conference's seven first place votes. Vermont followed with 30 points, Bryant placed third with 26 points and the final first place vote. UMBC (21), Binghamton (17), NJIT (10), and UMass Lowell (7) rounded out the conference.
 
2025 America East Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. UAlbany, 36 Points (6 First Place Votes)
2. Vermont, 30
3. Bryant, 26 (1)
4. UMBC, 21
5. Binghamton, 17
6. NJIT, 10
7. UMass Lowell, 7
 
Preseason All-Conference
New this year, the America East recently announced a Preseason All-Conference Team, which featured four Great Danes. Silas Richmond and Ryan Doherty both made the new team at attack. Max Neeson was selected as a defenseman and Conner Fingar was named as the lone selection for short stick defensive midfielder.
 
So, About Last Year
Last season saw the Great Danes return to the top of the conference, capturing the program's 10th America East title and first since 2018. UAlbany earned the conference's No. 1 seed, along with hosting rights for the entire postseason tournament. UAlbany defeated No. 4 Merrimack in the Semifinals before downing archrival No. 2 Vermont in the Championship Game at Casey Stadium. Long stick midfielder Jake Piseno was named the Championship's Most Outstanding Player, with teammates Graydon Hogg, Max Neeson, and Silas Richmond being named to the All-Championship Team.
 
After winning the 2024 America East Championship, UAlbany returned to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in program history. Awarded the Play-In Game, the Great Danes hosted NEC Champions Sacred Heart on May 8 – defeating the Pioneers 13-7.
 
The Great Danes were then tasked with taking on top-seeded Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. UAlbany put up a tough challenge for the Irish, taking a 5-4 lead into the locker room at halftime as the lacrosse world held its breath. Notre Dame would pull away in the second half, however, taking a 14-9 win in the team's first game of an eventual National Championship run.
 
Next: UAlbany will next travel to face Penn on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Fans should note that Tuesday's game was originally scheduled to be played in Westport, Conn. The venue changed to Franklin Field in Philadelphia due to weather and field conditions.