Lax Mag Release

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Davenport Men's Lacrosse team, which is making the move from Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Division 2 to MCLA Division 1, will begin their inaugural season at the D1 level ranked 17^th. The Panthers will have their work cut out for them this season as their schedule features five teams that are currently ranked in the Top 12.
 
Davenport, ranked 17^th, is one of three Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association (CCLA) teams ranked in the preseason poll. Michigan State, ranked 6^th, and Pittsburgh, ranked 12^th, are also representing the CCLA in the polls.
 
Last season, Michigan State defeated Pittsburgh 14-5 in the CCLA Championship game to earn an automatic bid to Nationals. In the National Tournament, the Spartans snuck past Colorado 8-7 in the first round and then nearly upset No. 1-seed Cal Poly falling 10-9.
 
Pittsburgh received an at-large bid to the National Tournament, their first appearance in the tournament, but fell in their first game 13-9 to UC-Santa Barbara. Pittsburgh returns Preseason Player of the Year Tyler Novotny. Novotny, a transfer from NCAA D1 St. John's (N.Y.), scored 67 goals and had 17 assists last season for Pitt.
 
Arizona State (2^nd), Virginia Tech (9^th), and Buffalo (11^th) are other ranked teams on the Panthers schedule this season.
 
Colorado State, who defeated Cal Poly 7-5 in the MCLA D1 Championship game last season, comes into the season ranked number one. Arizona State, Cal Poly, Chapman, and Brigham Young make up the rest of the top five in the rankings.