UMLC Tournament Starts Friday

MINNEAPOLIS – The Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) features four teams in the Top 12 of the Under Armour Division II Coaches Poll, and all four will be seeking a league title starting Friday in Mahtomedi, Minn.

The quarterfinals will be on Friday, followed by the semifinals on Saturday and championship on Sunday, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the 2016 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour. Nationals will take place from May 9-14 in Orange County, Calif.

St. Thomas, the top-ranked team in MCLA Division II, is the favorite to repeat as champions after running through the league undefeated. No. 3 North Dakota State, No. 7 St. John’s and No. 12 Minn.-Duluth will also be eyeing the automatic bid, although all four will be in serious contention for an at-large bid if a title doesn’t pan out.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youths and college students while children five and under get in free. There will be a youth clinic for those at the U15 level and below at 10 a.m. prior to the championship game at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The clinic is $20 per person.

Friday, April 22 – Quarterfinals – Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi HS)
Game 1: #8 North Dakota vs. #1 St. Thomas, 12:30 p.m.
Game 2: #5 MSU-Mankato vs. #4 St. John’s, 3 p.m.
Game 3: #7 St. Cloud State vs. #2 North Dakota State, 5:30 p.m.
Game 4: #6 Winona State vs. #3 Minn.-Duluth, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 23 – Semifinals – Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi HS)
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 4 p.m.

Sunday, April 24 – Finals – Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi HS)
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.