FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Five captains have been selected to lead the Colorado State University men's lacrosse team for the 2017 season. Jake Bender, Alec Gieser, Ashton Monheiser, Peter Hull and Sean Sullivan were unanimously chosen as leaders by their teammates this fall.

All five captains are seniors looking to finish their collegiate playing careers on top. They each have seen a tremendous amount of change at CSU over the past four seasons, and they will use that collective experience to guide their teammates to success in 2017.

Bender is a goalkeeper from Evergreen, Colo., who also serves as team president. Bender started every game between the pipes for the Rams during the 2016 season en route to second team all-conference and Scholar Athlete honors. He will seek to build upon his accomplishments and lead the team both on and off the field in 2017.

Gieser, a close defender from Centennial, Colo., demonstrated his value in 2016 by earning first team All-America, first team all-conference and Team MVP honors while leading a Top-5 defensive unit. He was the anchor of the Rams’ defense last season, and will resume that role again. Gieser will look to build upon his individual success by driving his team to new heights this year.

Monheiser, an attackman, led the CSU offense last season, tallying 36 points (20g, 16a) on his way to honorable mention All-America, second team all-RMLC and Scholar Athlete accolades. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., product will be the Rams’ primary scoring threat as the team aims to put up some impressive goal totals this season.

A close defender and two-time captain, Hull is the emotional leader of the team. He has started every game for the Rams over the past couple of seasons, and the team will look to his experience and leadership to help carry them through the season-long grind. The St. Louis native earned second team all-conference and Scholar Athlete kudos in 2016, along with honorable mention All-America in 2015. Hull will lead a formidable defensive unit this spring.

Sullivan is a defensive midfielder from Littleton, Colo., and is among the most dynamic players on the Rams’ roster, setting the tone for his teammates every day. Sullivan’s efforts in 2016 earned him honorable mention All-America and second team all-conference honors. He will look to establish himself as one of the top defensive midfielders in the country again this season while dominating the game both on defense and in transition.

The Rams open their 16-game schedule at home against Dominican on Feb. 19.