(Photo by Lance Wendt)

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – For the first time ever, Utah Valley has won the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC) Division I title. The Wolverines defeated Brigham Young on Saturday evening, 14-13, to earn the title.

With the victory, Utah Valley (15-2) earns an automatic qualifying berth to the 2023 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance, which will take place from May 8-13 at the Round Rock (Texas) Multipurpose Complex. Tickets and live streaming for nationals can be purchased HERE.

The Wolverines jumped out to an early 2-1 lead, but the Cougars quickly answered, taking a 4-3 edge into the second stanza. The BYU (13-6) lead ballooned to 7-3 with under five minutes left in the half, and the score at the break was 8-5 thanks to a pair of goals and a dime from RMLC Offensive Player of the Year Jake Halversen.

Trailing 9-5 with 10:49 left in the third quarter, the Wolverines went on a 7-1 run – boosted by five goals from Preston Burbidge – to take a 12-10 lead into the fourth quarter.

Gavin Taylor answered with a pair of goals for the Cougars to lock the game up at 13 apiece with just 4:39 remaining in the contest.

Zak Frankhauser took a feed from Branson Wood with 2:42 left on the clock and buried the game-winning goal for Utah Valley. BYU had a chance to tie the game late, but Max Sturgill made a fantastic save to preserve the Wolverines' win.

Brigham Young will await its at-large fate to nationals, which will be released on Sunday evening.

2023 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC) Tourney

Division I

Semifinals – April 28
#1 Utah Valley d. #4 Colorado State, 18-9
#2 Brigham Young d. #3 Colorado, 15-8

Finals – April 29
#1 Utah Valley d. #2 Brigham Young, 14-13