FARGO, N.D. -- After making its second consecutive trip to the semifinals of the MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, North Dakota State has announced the path they will take to a potential third trip.

The Bison will play a 10-game slate culminating with the Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) tournament in Minneapolis and nationals in Salt Lake City.

After opening the season against UMLC West division rival Minn.-Duluth in Fargo, NDSU plays five straight games on the road.

It starts with a two game swing to Omaha to face MSU-Denver and Nebraska followed by a three-game set in Bozeman, Mont., against Montana, Sierra Nevada and host Montana State. Four of the five teams were ranked in the final Top 25 MCLA Division II coaches poll.

After hosting divisional foe St. John's at the end of March, the Bison will spend the month of April playing in Minnesota.

"Being able play so many top teams within our conference, I see are our schedule being as tough as its been in a few years," said NDSU coach Zach Bosh. "In our conference tournament, we could potentially play three Top 5 teams in a 48-hour stretch. If that doesn't get us ready for nationals, I don't know what will.

"Whatever team comes out of that weekend on top is going to be the favorite to win the whole thing. We just hope to be playing our best ball come May."

2018 North Dakota State Men's Lacrosse Schedule

* - indicates UMLC West division contest
^ - indicates contests played at Omaha, Neb.
# - indicates contests played at Bozeman, Mont.
$ - indicates contests held at Minneapolis, Minn.