MINNEAPOLIS – The reigning MCLA Division II national champions, St. Thomas has been installed as favorites to win the 2021 Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference, according to the preseason coaches poll.

St. Thomas, which concluded the 2020 campaign with a 4-2 mark and No. 4 ranking in the New Balance Coaches Poll, was awarded three of the six first-place votes.

The Tommies edged out No. 2 Dayton by two points. The Flyers, who were 5-1 and ranked No. 3, garnered two first-place votes.

Minn-Duluth grabbed the remaining first place vote to grab the third spot in the UMLC poll. The Bulldogs were the No. 1 ranked team in the country at the conclusion of the 2020 campaign with a 6-1 mark.

North Dakota State rounded out the top four, followed by Grand Valley State and St. John’s. All six of the teams qualified for the 2019 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance.

2021 UMLC Division II Preseason Coaches Poll