University of Northern Colorado Men’s Lacrosse Earns First Ever National Championship Tournament Bid.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Grant Platt – 303.910.5089
laxgoalieman@yahoo.com


University of Northern Colorado Men’s Lacrosse
Earns First Ever National Championship Tournament Bid.

Greeley, CO (May 26, 2006) – The UNC Men’s club Lacrosse team, led by head coach Joe Darnell, and assistant coach Kevin Ferris, participated in the U.S. Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates “B” Division National Championship in Dallas, Texas from May 9-13, 2006. The UNC Bears received an at-large bid by finishing second in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference Tournament. UNC beat Montana State University 11-10 in the semifinals to advance to play Utah Valley State College. Although they lost the RMLC Championship to UVSC 9-7, the National Tournament Committee rewarded their effort with an at-large bid to the USLIA “B” Division National championships. UNC won their first game 7-6 in overtime in Dallas against Calvin College, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This win advanced UNC to the quarterfinal round against the University of San Diego. UNC then lost to USD, the eventual National Champion of the “B” Division.
UNC was led by seven all-conference selections. The first team included freshman Brian Evans, attack, senior Connor Webster, defense, and senior Alan Smith, defense. The second team selections were senior Andrew Vance, attack, junior Jake Smith, midfield, sophomore Nick Riley, defense, and freshman Charlie Sipes, long stick midfield. The UNC Bears Men’s Lacrosse team is looking forward to building on this National Championship experience under the leadership of Jake Smith, Grant Platt and Brian Evans in the 2006-2007 season.
The University of Northern Colorado men’s lacrosse team is a student-run organization that participates in intercollegiate club lacrosse. The team provides an opportunity for UNC students to continue to participate in the great game of lacrosse at a competitive level. The 2005-2006 team traveled to Irvine, California for an early season tournament, and also to Durango, Gunnison and Golden for regular season play. UNC had the privilege of playing Denver University’s men’s club lacrosse team at Peter Barton Stadium, the only lacrosse-only stadium in the U.S. The Bears also had the unique opportunity of playing the “A” Division National Champions Colorado State University Rams at their home field in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to these trips, UNC also played in Logan, Utah at the RMLC Conference Championships and Dallas, Texas for the National Championships.