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.
