(Photo Courtesy of Vermont Athletics)
The 2023 America East Tournament gets underway on Thursday, May 4 with the semifinals. The title game will be on Saturday, May 6.
Vermont is the top seed for a second year in a row and will host the tournament.
The Bracket
The Teams
No. 1 Vermont (9-4, 7-0 America East)
For a second year in a row the Vermont Catamounts have run through the conference unscathed during the regular season. That included big wins over Bryant and Binghamton to help secure the top seed. The Catamounts will be looking to three-peat as league champions.
Star Player: Tomy Burke, Faceoff
Burke as remained one of the best faceoff men in college lacrosse this season. The senior has gone 188-for-292 (64%). He has also scored and assisted on a goal. Burke leads the league and is third nationally in faceoff win percentage.
X-Factor: Matt Shaffer, Goalie
Stepping into the pipes with big shoes to fill, Shafer has been very solid for Vermont. He has made 122 saves with a 55% save percentage this spring.
Player to Watch: Brock Haley, Attack
Haley has led the Catamounts offense this season with 52 points off 31 goals and 21 assists.
No. 2 Bryant (10-4, 5-2 America East)
In its first year under head coach Brad Ross and first year in the America East, Bryant has continued its tradition of success. A 13-12 loss to Vermont and a 12-9 upset versus to Merrimack to close out the season are the only two losses in league play for the Bulldogs.
Star Player: Kevin Kroeninger, Attack
The senior is second in the league in points per game as he has helped lead the Bulldogs offense with 60 points off 33 goals and 27 assists.
X-Factor: Faceoff duo
Nathan Laliberte (167-for-272, 61%) and Jacob Alexander (76-for-151, 50%) have been as strong of a duo as any this season. The pair can and have caused plenty of trouble for opponents.
Player to Watch: Drew Lucas, Defense
A sophomore, Lucas has enjoyed a breakout season in 2023 as he has caused 19 turnovers, grabbed 50 ground balls, and tallied six points (2G/4A) as a header at close.
No. 3 Binghamton (9-4, 5-2 America East)
In league play, Binghamton has beaten everybody except the aforementioned top two seeds. It has been a strong year for a squad that did lose two of its top pieces from a year ago.
Star Player: Matthew Keegan, Attack
The sophomore leads the Bearcats in both goals and points as he has scored 45 goals and dished out 12 assists for 57 points thus far.
X-Factor: Matthew DeSouza, Faceoff
Continuing his dominance at the dot this season, the senior has gone 126-for-199 (63%) to give the Bearcats a huge boost in the possession battle.
Player to Watch: Connor Winters, Goalie
Winters has done wonders as a first-year starter, making 185 saves with a 54% save percentage.
No. 4 UAlbany (5-9, 4-3 America East)
Its been an up and down year for the Danes, but a big win over UMBC helped get them into the postseason.
Star Player: Silas Richmond, Attack
The freshman phenom leads the Great Danes with 26 goals on the year. He has also dished out seven assists for 33 points.
X-Factor: Jake Piseno, Defense
Piseno has a menace on the back end as he has grabbed 70 ground balls and 42 caused turnovers. He has also assisted on seven goals.
Player to Watch: TJ Sheehan, Attack
A Denver transfer, Sheehan has been a very solid option this spring with 27 points off 16 goals and 11 assists.
Tanner’s Picks
Semifinals
Vermont vs UAlbany: Vermont
Bryant vs Binghamton: Binghamton
Championship
Vermont vs Binghamton: Vermont
Lacrosse Bucket 
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