MCLA Top-25 Poll | PNCLL Standings

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Could this year be the year?

That's the question for Argo lacrosse heading into the 4th annual Cooper Cup. UGF has never won a game in the yearly classic that pits the only three collegiate lacrosse programs in the state of Montana –UGF, Montana State, and University of Montana – against each other for local bragging rights.

While the Argos are 0-7 all-time against UM and MSU, they have never been as good as they are right now. UGF is 4-2, the best record in program history and is just coming off a week of new program records with a 17-7 win over Johnson & Wales and a 20-2 win over Wyoming.

Even with the impressive start, UGF will still be the underdog in both contests.

The first game for the Argos will be against the Griz of Montana, this year's tournament host, on March 31 at 7:30 p.m. The Griz are not only a state rival, but also a conference opponent for UGF. Montana currently leads the PNCLL DIV II North standings with a record of 6-4 (2-0), but the Argos, with a record of 4-2 (1-1) could pull even with a win.

Montana's offense hasn't quite been a one-man show, but it's been close. Senior attack Eric Larson leads the team with 33 goals and 20 assists in 10 games. The matchup between him and top Argo defender Chase Clark will be crucial in making the game a defensive battle which could favor the Argos.

The advantage UGF will look to exploit will be at the faceoff X. The Argo's two faceoff men, Joshua Gavin and Dante Duran, are winning over 65 percent of their combined faceoffs with the freshman, Duran, winning around 70 percent. Montana, on the other hand, has won 49.6 percent of its faceoffs on the season with only has one faceoff man over 50 percent. That man is freshman Luke Johnson who hovering around 60 percent for the season.

While the Griz aren't a ranked team, they are awfully close. Montana is receiving votes, and with 28 points they are the second team on the outside looking into the Under Armour MCLA Coaches 25 Poll.

The Griz might not be ranked, but the Bobcats of MSU certainly are. Montana State is currently ranked 8th nationally with a 7-2 record and games against some of the top programs in MCLA Div. II.
Offensively, the Cats are balanced and talented. The attack is led by junior Louis Richman who leads the team with 74 points and 46 assists, while also contributing 28 goals. Even if Clark can matchup well with Richamn, UGF will still have to find a way to shutdown freshman Alexander Brown. He has formed a dynamic duo with Richman, scoring 25 goals with 17 assists.

If there's a weakness in the Bobcat team, it could be the defense. MSU has played four common opponents as UGF and let up as many goals or more against three of those teams, including a 17-16 win over Colorado-Denver who UGF beat 10-8.

UGF will play MSU at 3 p.m. on April 1.

The team with the best two-game record at the end of the weekend, with goal differential serving as the tiebreaker, will bring the Copper Cup home with them for the year.