Bearcats Shine: Three Stars Selected for America East Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Team

VESTAL, N.Y. – Three players from Binghamton men’s lacrosse have been chosen for the inaugural America East Conference’s Men’s Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
 
Lorenzo Ramos, Liam Ferris, and Connor Winters were all selected for the team, which received votes from the men’s lacrosse coaches within the America East Conference. This marks the inaugural season for the America East in revealing a preseason all-conference team.
 
These nominations follow Ferris and Ramos both earning America East Second Team All-Conference accolades in 2024. Ferris, who just concluded his first season at Binghamton after transferring from Syracuse, finished as the Bearcats’ second-highest scorer with 32 goals and was tied for second in assists with 10. The midfielder also topped the America East in shots per game with an average of 9.85, being the only player in the league to average at least nine shots per outing. Ferris scored a hat trick in six matches, with two games where he netted four goals (against Vermont on April 6 and UMBC on April 13). Additionally, the Glenmont, N.Y., native recorded 15 ground balls and caused two turnovers. He was honored as the America East Offensive Player of the Week on April 15 and selected for the USILA Division I Team of the Week on April 17.
 
Ramos contributed significantly to Binghamton’s defense throughout the year. The defender finished tied for third on the squad in caused turnovers, registering eight, while also accumulating 15 ground balls. A standout performance occurred against NJIT on March 23, where Ramos caused three turnovers and gathered two ground balls during a 17-12 win for the Bearcats. The Farmingdale, N.Y., native has consistently collected at least 12 ground balls and caused a minimum of eight turnovers in each of his initial three seasons in Vestal.
 
Winters has solidified his status as one of the premier goalkeepers in the America East over the past two years. After securing America East First Team All-Conference recognition in 2023, the Webster, N.Y., native continued his impressive collegiate journey in 2024. Last season, Winters ranked second in the conference in saves per game with 12.85, making at least ten saves in 12 matches. He also ranked second on the team with 38 ground balls and caused eight turnovers, both personal bests. On April 6, Winters recorded 18 saves and seized 11 ground balls, aiding the Bearcats to an 11-10 overtime victory at Vermont. For his efforts, Winters was honored as the America East Defensive Player of the Week and included in the USILA Division I Team of the Week.
 
As the season begins, Winters stands second in program history for saves per game (13.37), third in wins (15), fifth in total saves (361), fifth in save percentage (.525), and eighth in goals against average (12.34). He requires nine wins to match the program record of 24 goalie wins and 148 saves to equal the program benchmark for total saves at 509. Both records are held by the current Binghamton Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Kevin McKeown.
 
Moreover, the Bearcats were predicted to finish fifth in the America East’s preseason poll with 17 points. Defending conference champion UAlbany was chosen first with 36 points, including six first-place votes. Vermont secured second place with 30 points, while Bryant claimed third with 26 points, garnering the sole other first-place vote. UMBC came in fourth with 21 points, followed by NJIT with 10 points in sixth place, and UMass Lowell at seventh with seven points.
 
Binghamton concluded the 2024 season with an overall record of 6-7 and a 4-3 tally in America East matches. In addition to Ferris and Ramos receiving second-team all-conference honors, both Andrew Girolamo and Jack Mellen were also named to the America East All-Rookie Team.
 
Binghamton will kick off its season at the Bearcats Sports Complex on Saturday, Feb. 8 at noon against Lafayette.