DENVER – After advancing to nationals for the third time in program history last spring as an at-large, Utah State has been voted the favorite to win Division II of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC) in 2023, according to the preseason coaches poll.

The Aggies (10-7), which lost to eventual finalist Rhode Island in the first round of the tournament in overtime, played one of the most powerful schedules in the country last spring. Utah State was awarded four first-place votes out of the eight ballots cast, pushing them six points clear of the field.

“History has shown us that rankings don’t mean much,” said Utah State coach Scott Bingham. “That being said, we’ve come a long way as a program and the RMLC has been getting better every year.”

Checking in behind the Aggies is Montana State (9-7). Despite beating Utah State during the regular season and advancing to the conference tournament finals against eventual (and departed) national champion Utah, the Bobcats settle for the second chair.

Montana State was awarded three first-place votes.

An MCLA newcomer last spring, the Air Force Academy (4-4) checks in at No. 3, bolstered by the remaining first-place vote. They are followed two points back by one of this year’s MCLA neophytes, Denver.

“Teams like Montana State, Air Force, Metro State, maybe Denver should all be pushing national rankings this season,” added Bingham. “There’s a lot to play for.”

2023 RMLC Division II Preseason Coaches Poll