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2023 MCLA Team and Conference Updates

There have been a lot of changes in the MCLA headed into the 2023 season. A lot of teams have rejoined after recovering from COVID and a few have left for various reasons. Below I will talk about each team that has joined and left the league.

2023 Brand Joining the MCLA From Another League


Iona 

2022: NCLL

2023: MCLA DII – CLC

Founded at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, in just a short time the team was able to hire multiple coaches, assemble a good sized roster, and win some quality games in the NCLL. After just one season they decided to switch to the MCLA and have continued to grow and become more competitive. 

2023 Teams That Are Rejoining the MCLA


Sam Houston State

2017: MCLA DII – LSA

2023: MCLA DIII – LSA 

A team with a lot of history. They have been around since the early 80s and really broke out in the 2010s. From 2010-2014 they won five straight LSA DII Championships, which is still the most by one team in the MCLA since 2005 despite them not playing since 2017. They folded because of mismanaged funds, but are back to full strength now. I discussed their full history back in in September.

Louisiana

2020: MCLA DII – LSA
2023: MCLA DIII – LSA

Short, but eventful history for the Ragin Cajuns. Founded in 2011, they became a powerhouse in just a couple of seasons, winning LSA DII in 2016 and 17. Stopped because of low numbers and COVID, but they ready to get back to winning. I discussed the full history back in in August.

Charleston

2020: MCLA DII – SELC

2023: MCLA DII – ALC 

Another team that most likely stopped playing due to COVID among other reasons. Charleston has always been a solid team, and have managed to recover extremely well following the 2020 season. They are led by LI native and Marine veteran Tyler Hairston as head coach. They also have over 40 kids on the team including a whole attack line of NCAA Division I transfers.

Kansas State

2020: MCLA DII – LSA
2023: MCLA DIII – LSA

Fully recovered from COVID with a big team of mainly in-state kids and coached by Cedric Walker. They had a pretty good fall and are looking to have a good spring season so they can get back to LSA DII quickly. 

The Citadel

2020: MCLA DII – SELC 

2023: MCLA DII – ALC

Similar situation as Charleston, however big difference is that they will have the same coach from 2020 in Blake McAfee. The Bulldogs haven’t really played a full season since 2017, but this year they have great numbers and a good mix of older and younger guys. 

Cal State Long Beach

2020: MCLA DII – SLC

2023: MCLA DII – SLC

Another team simply affected by COVID that was able to make a comeback now. They have a pretty big team and are coached by former Saint Mary’s player, Jimmy Otto Jr. They also had a pretty good fall season. 

New Mexico

2015: MCLA DII – RMLC
2023: MCLA DIII – RMLC

Haven’t had a team in a while, but things are looking good now. The Lobos have about 20 kids on the roster and are led by Head Coach Matt Montoya who played for the team in 2013. 

Davidson 

2020: MCLA DII – SELC

2023: MCLA DII – ALC

Davidson Last played in 2020 in SELC DII, assuming that a big reason they left the league was because of COVID, but there are probably some other smaller reasons as well. Still a relatively small team, they’re looking to come out strong this year.

Fitchburg State

2020: MCLA DII – CLC

2023: MCLA DIII – CLC

2020 was gearing up to be their biggest season yet, and unfortunately ended after just four games. However they have made a full recovery and now have a head coach and a roster of about 30 kids. 

Tarleton State

2020: MCLA DIII – LSA

2023: MCLA DIII – LSA

They 2-4 in LSA DIII in 2020, most likely left because of COVID, but they are back to where they were now. Brings the LSA DIII total from 7 to 10. 

Puget Sound

2018: MCLA DII – PNCLL

2023: MCLA DII – PNCLL

Last played a full season in 2018, they are coached by alumni David Shireman who was on the 2018 team. They will be associate members this year and look to be full members soon. 

UC Colorado Springs

2018: MCLA DII – RMLC

2023: MCLA DIII – RMLC

Not sure why they stopped in 2018, but most likely due to lower numbers or funds. They’re back now with a solid team that’s ready to compete. 

2023 Teams That Are Brand New to the MCLA


Utah Tech

2022: Not in MCLA

2023: MCLA DII – RMLC

A new team started from scratch. They had a lot of guys step up to get the team going including captain DJ Burton. They have also brought in a ton of talented Utah players and some NCAA transfers.

Denver

2022: Not in MCLA

2023: MCLA DII – RMLC

Have had a club team for a little bit, but they really got started last year. Played MCLA teams last season, but were not officially in the league yet. They have already had a lot of success against MCLA teams in the past so they should keep it going. 

Drury

2022: Not in MCLA

2023: MCLA DII – LSA

Division III school located in Springfield, MO, right next to Missouri State which should lead to some good games between the two. Coached by former Missouri State Head Coach, Dustin Rich. They have a relatively small team this year, but they should grow quickly since they are fully funded by the school. 

Multnomah

2022: Not in MCLA

2023: MCLA DII – PNCLL

NAIA school in Portland, OR. They a team for a little bit, but are in the MCLA for the first time this season. The team had a pretty good fall season and a good roster size along with good school support. They will be associate members for this year.  

Arizona Christian

2022: Not in MCLA

2023: MCLA DII – SLC

NAIA school so the team receives a lot of help financially. Coaches have been recruiting extremely hard at both on campus and off campus events, so they should be ready to compete right away. 

Moorpark

2022: Not in MCLA

2023; MCLA DIII – SLC

Community college located outside of LA, coached by former Pitt attackman, Antonio Cucciuffo.

2023 Teams That Are Switching MCLA Conferences


Texas

2022: MCLA DI – RMLC

2023: MCLA DI – LSA

Not entirely sure why they joined a conference based in Colorado back in 2020, but they are back in the LSA which makes a lot more sense geographically. Last year they went 4-0 against LSA teams and are the favorites to win the conference this year. 

Utah 

2022: MCLA DII – RMLC
2023: MCLA DI – RMLC

Same conference just moving DII to DI. Moving up after winning the DII National Championship in just their first season in the MCLA. Lost to Utah Valley and BYU last year, but kept both games close and have only gotten better since. 

Oklahoma State

2022: MCLA DII – LSA

2023: MCLA DIII – LSA

Small change, they went 1-4 last year in DII and just decided it was better for the team to play DIII. 

Southern Oregon 

2022: MCLA DII – PNCLL

2023: MCLA DII – WCLL

Switching just because they felt the WCLL is a better fit for their team geographically amongst other reasons. 

Southern Utah

2022: MCLA DIII – RMLC

2023: MCLA DII – RMLC

Last year was their first season so it only made sense to start in DIII. Now they have grown more they decided to move up to DII.

Southern Connecticut 

2022: MCLA DIII – CLC

2023: MCLA DII – CLC

Another small change, but it brings the CLC DII from 6 to 8 teams. Pretty competitive conference and the Owls are looking to make a run in DII after playing in DIII last season. They last played in DII in 2019.  

2023 Teams That Left the MCLA for Another League


Central Michigan 

2022: MCLA DI – UMLC

2023: GLLL

Central Michigan left the MCLA to play in the Great Lakes Lacrosse League (GLLL). The GLLL is another college club league based in the Upper Midwest. The cost to play is less expensive and teams are closer which means less time traveling for games. These are the two main reasons CMU decided to join the league. They finished 0-6 last year and there is a chance they come back to the MCLA eventually.

Illinois State 

2022: MCLA DI – UMLC

2023: GLLL

Same situation as Central Michigan, left for the GLLL to save money and travel less for games. They finished 2-7 last year with wins over Butler and Nebraska. Just like CMU, there is also a chance they come back to the MCLA eventually, this is just speculation however. Them leaving brings the UMLC DI team total from 11 to 9.

Teams That Are No Longer Playing in the MCLA


Sierra Nevada

2022: MCLA DII – WCLL

2023: No team

The only reason the team folded is because the school itself closed and was absorbed by University of Nevada, Reno. There is a chance some of the players are now playing at UNR or another MCLA school, but I really have no clue. The team had a strong history, winning 4 straight WCLL titles from 2015-18.

Creighton

2022: MCLA DII – LSA

2023: Not in MCLA

They went 1-4 last year, only had 19 kids, and had to cancel a couple games. Can assume they are not playing because of lack of numbers or resources. Hopefully they are able to make a comeback. 

Saint Louis

2022: MCLA DII – LSA

2023: Not in MCLA

Were technically in the league last year, but it doesn’t show they had any games. Posted pictures practicing this fall, so there’s a chance they just need a year off to raise money and get more players. 

Texas A&M Galveston

2022: MCLA DII – LSA

2023: Not in MCLA

Similar to Saint Louis, played last year but not listed on the website this year. Have seen some evidence there are still some guys playing, so there’s a chance they’ll be back in a year or two. 

Louisiana Tech 

2022: MCLA DIII – LSA

2023: Not in MCLA

Went 2-6 last year, they still have a team, but are struggling a little with numbers this year so will probably be back soon. 

Hardin-Simmons

2022: MCLA DIII – LSA

2023: Not in MCLA

Another team that is most likely struggling with numbers and just needs some time to get back soon.