MINNEAPOLIS – Defending MCLA Division II national champion North Dakota State has been selected as the favorites to win the Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) Division II title this spring, according to the preseason coaches poll released Tuesday.

The Bison (12-2), which have never won the UMLC title, were the unanimous choice in the six-team league, leaving them well clear of St. Thomas (15-2) in second place.

NDSU lost to the Tommies in the UMLC championship game in ’18, 11-7, but bounced back to down UST in the national title game, 8-7, in double overtime.

Minn.-Duluth (12-6), which lost to NDSU in the national semifinals, was placed in the third chair while Grand Valley State (8-5) and St. John’s (10-6) tied for fourth.

GVSU defeated the Johnnies in the quarterfinals at nationals before falling to St. Thomas in the semifinals.

Dayton (4-7), which also qualified for nationals, rounded out the field.

2019 UMLC Division II Preseason Coaches Poll