By Abigail Wood
Coaches Preseason Polls
The Rams have been projected to finish fourth in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC) preseason coaches poll, just ahead of No. 5 University of Utah and No. 6 Utah Tech. The Rams sit behind No. 3 University of Colorado (CU). Defending RMLC champions Utah Valley (UVU) are slotted at No. 2, while Brigham Young (BYU) enters the season ranked No.1 overall.
2025 Recap
OVERALL RECORD: 7-6
RMLC Division: 3-2
Home Game Record: 4-2
Away Game Record: 3-4
POINTS LEADER: Midfielder Kevin Carson collected 42 points.
ASSIST LEADER: Attack Lochlan Roger led the rams with 24 assists.
SHOTS LEADER: Attack Owen Wellschlager recorded 82 shots on goal.
Following a 12-season drought without an RMLC title, the Rams made a strong postseason push but fell to No. 2 Utah Valley 18-14 in the semifinals last season.
2026 Captains
Attackman – Jack Rego: Enters his second season with the Rams after recording 50 shots on goal across 13 games last season.
Midfielder – Mason Daly: A senior entering his final season after leading the team in ground balls during the 2025 season.
Goalie – Charlie Bibaud: A two-time Honorable Mention All-Conference Goalie selection with 406 career saves at CSU.
Close Defenseman – Joe Dixon: A veteran on the team entering his third season with the Rams.
2026 Notable Transfers
Attackman – Tanner Marsh: Berkshire School, Sheffield, MA and Chatham University (NCAA D3) transfer student joins the Rams for his Junior campaign.
Midfielder – Adyn Cover: Purdue School District Stars and Sixers Lacrosse Club local product will be joining the Rams from New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) (NCAA D1).
Midfielder – Ryan Menard: Legend High School and Sixers Lacrosse Club will be joining the Rams from NJIT (NCAA D1).
Midfielder – David Treadwell: 3x All-State Nebraska, Impulse, Legend High School and Sixers Lacrosse Club will be joining the Rams from Hofstra (NCAA D1).
In-Conference Rivals
Colorado (CU): There has been a long history of rivalry between the Rams and Buffaloes, which last season shifted when CSU earned a 8-5 victory in the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown. CU later fell to BYU in the RMLC semifinals, 11-10. The Rams are now on a two game winning streak against the Buffs and look to continue that streak at Kittredge field this season for the Rocky Mountain Showdown on April 18 7:00p.m. in Boulder.
Brigham Young (BYU): The Cougars enter the season as one of the RMLC’s top contenders after finishing as the 2025 RMLC runner-up. BYU stands second to CSU in having the most national championships in the MCLA creating a long standing rivalry. Without BYU there would be no national championship story for CSU.
Utah Valley (UVU): The Wolverines have established themselves as a conference powerhouse in recent years. As the defending RMLC champions, UVU defeated CSU twice last season, including a regular season win and conference win, remaining an obstacle in CSUs path to a RMLC title. The Rams haven’t lost to UVU at home in the regular season and look to continue that this season.
University of Utah: CSU secured a statement home victory from Utah last season, defeating the Utes 15-9, extending a four-game winning streak in the process.
Utah Tech: In the lone divisional matchup, the Rams controlled the game at home and earned a 12-point difference game winning 19-7.
Games to Look Towards
The Rocky Mountain showdown remains the most anticipated matchup of the season, as CSU faces rival CU. Historically, the Buffs have controlled the games, but momentum shifted last year when the Rams earned a 8-5 victory at Canvas Stadium. The team will fight to keep the title and retain the Rocky Mountain trophy.
With 16-games in the regular season, one of the toughest seasons ahead of them. The Rams will look to compete hard before heading for the RMLC Playoffs, which are scheduled for March 24 and hosted by Utah Valley at Zion Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The tournament will determine the qualifiers for the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MLCA) National Tournament.
Postseason Outlook
The 2026 MCLA National Championship, Presented by New Balance Lacrosse, takes place May 4-9 at the River City Sportsplex in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Coaching Staff
Ryan MacDonald returns for his eighth season as head coach of the Rams. Cory Hughes leads the defensive unit as defensive coordinator with Alexander Creech on the other side of the ball leading the offense as the offensive coordinator. They will be joined by assistant coaches Chris Cerrigone, Grant Jellison and Nick Bruni. John Tomrdle will oversee strength and conditioning. Behind the scenes accompanying the coaches are Mark Hunstman, operations manager and Stephen Unkrich as the director of creative content.