COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Missouri men's lacrosse team has released its 12-game schedule that will hopefully pave the way to a UMLC tournament appearance and a shot at the automatic qualifying bid for the 2019 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour.

This year's nationals will take place from May 6-11 in Salt Lake City.

"We've been hard at work this fall and look forward to making up for a disappointing season in 2018," said Missouri coach Nick Anagnostis. "We have the strongest group since I've been here. Anything less than a UMLC championship and national tournament appearance will be a disappointment."

Optimism is running high in Columbia this fall, bolstered by the return of four all-UMLC selections on defense, led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Brian Pandolfo.

The offense will be improved with the reemergence of 2017 GRLC Player of the Year Noah Iversen, who returns to the program after taking a semester abroad last spring. Iversen posted 41 goals and 59 assists (100 points) during his sophomore season in '17.

Anagnostis is excited about the incoming recruiting class, made up of 19 student-athletes from the likes of Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, Virginia and California.

2019 Missouri Men's Lacrosse Schedule

* - indicates UMLC West division contest
# - indicates scrimmage