PORTLAND, Ore. – Coming off their first Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League title and trip to the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division II National Championships, the College of Idaho has earned high praise heading into the 2019 season – both conference-wise and nationally.
The Coyotes were picked to finish second in the 12-team PNCLL Division II Preseason Coaches' Poll – just one point behind preseason favorite Montana. C of I received six first-place votes and 135 voter points, with the Grizzlies earning five first-place nods and 136 points. Gonzaga and Western Washington were tied for third, with Providence in fifth.
For the second-straight year, C of I opens the season in the Top-25, as the Coyotes earned a No. 13 ranking in the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll – their highest preseason ranking in program history.
C of I will meet three other nationally-ranked teams during the season – traveling to No. 6 Montana State and No. 11 Montana, along with hosting No. 8 Cal State-San Marcos.
PNCLL Division II Preseason Poll – Montana 136, College of Idaho 135, Gonzaga 104, Western Washington 104, Providence 81, Portland 77, Portland State 74, Western Oregon 67, Southern Oregon 60, Central Washington 51, Pacific Lutheran 19.
IL MCLA Division II Preseason Poll
1. North Dakota State
2. Minnesota-Duluth
3. St. Thomas (Minn.)
4. Grand Valley State (Mich.)
5. St. John's (Minn.)
6. Montana State
7. Florida Gulf Coast
8. Cal State-San Marcos
9. Kennesaw State (Ga.)
10. Dayton
11. Montana
12. Missouri State
13. College of Idaho
14. UC Davis
15. Northern Arizona
16. Wake Forest
17. Central Connecticut State
18. UC-San Diego
19. North Florida
20. U. of San Diego
