SCHENECTADY, NY – On Saturday, No. 14 Union men's lacrosse will host No. 1 SUNY Cortland in its season opener at Frank Bailey Field at 1:00 p.m. The Dutchmen will host Cortland for the first time since May 9, 1972, when Union fell, 11-6 to the Red Dragons. Union is looking for its first win over Cortland since May 17, 1966.

“With Cortland being the No. 1 team in the nation, this will be one of the biggest lacrosse games in the history of the Union lacrosse, a program with a rich lacrosse tradition,” Union head coach Paul Wehrum said. “I realize its early March and championships are won in May, but you don't get many opportunities to play the No. 1 team in the country in your life.”

Last season, Union's run in the NCAA Tournament ended against the Red Dragons in the Elite Eight. The Dutchmen advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in program history with wins over Montclair State and No. 11 Bowdoin. Union lost 9-4 at No. 2 SUNY Cortland on May 16, finishing the season 13-5 (5-1 Liberty League).

The Dutchmen return four of their top six scorers from a season ago, including Santangelo, who notched his second consecutive season with 20 or more goals, leading Union in scoring with 49 points (25 goals and 24 assists.

Senior attack Nolan Connors also returns up front after finishing third on the team with 35 points (23 goals, 12 assists). Connors is one of four captains heading into the 2013 season, joining senior midfielder Kyle Christine, senior midfielder Joe Cordrey, and senior midfielder Alex Stone.

“We lost to them last year in our last game, so it's exciting to play them to see how we rank against them now,” Connors said. “We are excited and prepared to play, and hopefully we'll be a tougher team on Saturday.”

Stone, who earned 2012 Liberty League Honorable Mention, will lead the Union midfield in 2013. Stone is one of the top returning faceoff men in the country after recording a .641 faceoff percentage (21^st NCAA) in 2012.

For the season, Union also had one of the top defensive units in the nation, allowing just 6.17 goals per game (13th NCAA).