BALTIMORE -- Concordia-Irvine won its first title at the conclusion of the 2017 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, and Eagles coach Ryan Brent was named the MCLA Division II Coach of the Year sponsored by the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association for his efforts.

Brent will receive his award at the annual IMLCA convention held in Baltimore in early December, where he will be honored with coaches from all levels of collegiate lacrosse.

Concordia-Irvine suffered its first and only loss of the season in early March at St. Thomas, but rattled off 16 consecutive victories – including a victory over the Tommies in the national championship game – to finish the year with a 20-1 mark.

In his four seasons with the Eagles, Brent has accumulated a 61-11 record, including a 54-3 mark and two trips to the national championship game in the past three seasons.

"There are few greater honors for a college coach than to be recognized by his peers as the 'best,'" said IMLCA president and Limestone coach J.B. Clarke. "We join all the coaches of the MCLA in congratulating coach Ryan Brent on being named MCLA Coach of the year!"

He was also named the MCLA Division Coach of the Year in 2015.

“It is really awesome to receive the national COY award for the second time in my four-year tenure in the MCLA,” Brent said. “It is a testament to the great people I've been able to surround myself with, both players and assistant coaches. It’s a really good feeling to know our program accomplished so much this season and is being recognized in this manner.”

About the IMLCA
The IMLCA was created to help build the game of lacrosse, become the premier organization providing coaches development and monitor the integrity of the game. Its membership is comprised of individual collegiate coaches. To further expose its value, the IMLCA has created relationships with the high school boy’s lacrosse coaches and the collegiate club lacrosse coaches so that they too can benefit from the initiatives of the Association. www.IMLCACoaches.com