The RMLC Division II will have a new champion this year in the wake of Utah State bumping up to MCLA Division I, and one of the teams in the hunt is Montana State. The Bobcats were picked second in the preseason coaches poll and have numerous pieces of the puzzle returning in ’16.

Can Montana State make its second trip to the MCLA National Tournament powered by Under Armour in three years? Bobcats coach Chris Kelley steps into the ring for an MCLA.us “5 Questions” title bout.

MCLA: You finished up 6-6 last year, but it looks like there are only two seniors graduating off the team. Is this a squad that has the experience and depth to capture the RMLC title? What does it need to figure out between now and the start of the season?

CK: Our team has incredible potential this season. The talent level has risen from year-to-year and we couldn’t be more excited about the growth potential to come. The two seniors, Connor Dack and Anthony Athanasakos, were great men who led by example. They showed the newer players what it takes to make a positive effect on the team, both on and off the field. Our current seniors and junior class got a taste of the national tournament in 2014 and what is takes to compete against the best teams in the nation. We have been instilling the same hunger in the sophomores and freshmen. We had a very successful, undefeated fall ball and can’t wait for the regular season to begin, and with it another run at the RMLC title and a bid for the national tournament.

The biggest thing we need to figure out this off season is our ability to keep up our momentum and our endurance to play complete games.

MCLA: Parker Fairey had a strong junior season in cage and looks like he could be primed for a big senior season. How important is he to your success this year and who are some of the guys who will protect him on close defense?

CK: All of our players are important to our overall success, and Parker is a great goalie who has grown into a good leader over the years. He continues to improve, especially with his mentoring of three very hungry freshmen goalies starting to make their impact on our team development, as well. They have pushed each other to become better and, in turn, it can be seen in the other players on the field. Parker has a way of coming up with huge saves to keep the team fired up. His focus on game days is great and his competitive nature is contagious.

The guys backing him up are going to be led by Montana native Nick Davis at close defense. He is our only senior defenseman and he has a lot of younger support that will be looking for him for leadership on the field.

MCLA: The Bobcats got a taste of what it’s like in the tournament when they faced Western Oregon and Concordia in one weekend. What does this year's schedule look like? Who are the key in-conference and non-league contests that will decide the season?

CK: This season will be a challenge. We will be tested early with a spread of seven games on the road within 16 days early in the season. This includes a long stint of highly competitive conference games with Northern Colorado, Metro State and Fort Lewis and we will also be seeing Western Oregon and Western Washington this year. We are always up for a challenge and love being on the road. We hope to stay on top of the competitive picture of the RMLC and make another run at nationals.

Here is our schedule

MCLA: Who are some new faces that will be chipping in this year?

CK: The guys found out this fall that it takes all around team ball from the first huddle in warm-ups to the last whistle of the game to be competitive. We had great success sharing the ball and getting points from unlikely characters to beat teams like Oregon and Oregon State. It helped us take a step in the direction that we are hoping for, and that is that everyone will be contributing to the success of the program.

The few guys that I feel really have a big year ahead of them include Parker Fairey, senior middie Jack Lundin (Missoula, Mont.), junior middie Alex Vasquez (Wheatridge, Colo.), junior attackman Kelly Carroll (Mercer Island, Wash.), freshmen defender Blake Greener (San Diego, Calif.), sophomore attackman Louis Richman (Missoula, Mont.) and freshman attackman Mitch Paige (Cheyanne Mountain, Colo.).

We also lost a very good faceoff man in Macon Sumpter (educational transfer). We have two freshmen in Jack Pugh (Enumclaw, Wash.) and Dominick Faith (Whitefish, Mont.) who will need to be a spark for us at midfield.

MCLA: What's are the biggest benefits and challenges of playing collegiate lacrosse in the great state of Montana?

The benefits of playing lacrosse in Montana are immense. The scenery and recreational activities surrounding us in the Gallatin Valley make us a destination for school. When you get here, it is evident that you have found a very special place. Local fishing and skiing are world-class and right out your back door.
The biggest challenges for our program include facilities and the recognition of the growth of the sport in a non-traditional area. We see these challenges as opportunities for us to get involved and do something about it. As a program we have been heavily involved in the development of our club sports culture on campus and in the community.

Since I was in school here and help start the MSU program with friends 14 years ago, we have also started youth, high school and post-collegiate programs in Bozeman. Our efforts continue today. Our players have been involved with the development of the club sports council and the steering committee for the development of a new turf field facility on our campus that is much needed in our climate. This place is awesome and we are very lucky to call it home.