“We don’t chase accolades, we chase rings.”
That’s what redshirt junior James Steinke said after the men’s lacrosse team had pulled off their magnificent win over Westminster College (WC) on Friday, May 5. This win was especially significant, as the team brought home their second straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Post-Season Tournament Title.
The game’s final score was 21-16 and gave CMU their fifth-ever conference championship. Last year, they won the championship game at WC, but this year, they got to do it right here in Grand Junction, Colorado in front of their hometown fans.
This marks the first time CMU has beaten WC three times in a single season. In the past, they had split the regular season series and would then play each other for the RMAC championship.
“I think it’s a big step for the program. Getting three wins against Westminster in a year is huge. We finally shook that specter off our back and won one at home,” redshirt junior Jed Brummett said. “This team feels different than years past, and hopefully, we can keep momentum if we are allowed to continue into the NCAA tournament,” Brummett said.
In the game, Brummett scored five goals, becoming the all time leading scorer in program history.
To make the NCAA tournament, CMU needs to be ranked in the top six in the south region. Before the tournament, the Mavs were ranked seventh and fifth-ranked Indianapolis University had just lost to an unranked opponent last weekend, opening the door for the Mavericks to punch their ticket.
However, Indianapolis University still made the tournament as the last seed in the South Region, despite the loss. The arguable tournament snub has to feel all the more bitter, considering CMU gave first-seeded Rollins College (15-1) their only loss of the year back on March 11, 15-10. The Maverick’s 16-2 record was also the third-best of any of the twelve teams selected.
The women’s team also competed in the RMAC championships this past weekend. They entered the tournament as the second-seed and beat University of Colorado Colorado Springs 14-6.
To qualify for the NCAA women’s tournament, you must be ranked in the top four of the region. CMU was ranked fifth, but with another upset win against Regis, they could also sneak into the tournament. Last time out, the Mavericks upset the Rangers 14-13 in over-time. It was CMU”s first-ever win against Regis University in 29 all-time meetings.
Unfortunately, the Rangers made quick work of the Mavericks, winning 4-12. The game was just 2-3 going into the second quarter, but Regis scored four straight goals, and CMU just could not recover.
After the loss, the women were not one of the eight teams selected to the tournament. However, this year was still a massive success. The team went 11-6, beat arch-rival Regis for the first time ever, and came just one win short of making the national tournament. With no seniors graduating, the Mavericks should be even better next season
