(Photo: Bob White)

PITTSBURGH – After winning its sixth consecutive Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association (CCLA) Division I championship last spring, Michigan State has been installed as the unanimous preseason favorite according to the league’s coaches poll.

The Spartans (11-5) swept all six first place votes, an indication that a seventh straight title could be in the offing.

Michigan State was well clear of Minnesota (11-4), which finished second in the poll by a narrow margin. The Gophers lost to the Spartans, 10-9, last year in the regular season meeting – by far the closest conference game for MSU.

Pittsburgh (12-5) finished just two points behind Minnesota for third place. The Panthers were a lone point better than Davenport (7-8), which was slotted fourth.

The CCLA only consists of Division I programs in 2018. The former Division II members have moved to the UMLC.

CCLA Preseason Coaches Poll