Aug. 27, 2003
WOODLAND, Calif. - Starting in the spring of 2004, the University of Denver women's lacrosse team will compete in the five-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). Joining the Pioneers in the MPSF are UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Saint Mary's College and Stanford. Oregon will join the conference in the 2004-05 season to round out Federation membership to six teams and lay the foundation for an automatic qualification (AQ) to NCAA postseason play.
"Our formula for academic and athletic success at Denver can work within the MPSF," said Associate Athletics Director of Intercollegiate Sports Ron Grahame. "Our men's soccer team has thrived in the MPSF for seven years, and we expect the same success from our women's lacrosse squad."
Given the UC Davis transition from Division II to Division I, the process of gaining an AQ may not come to fruition until the 2009-2010 season. NCAA rules stipulate a four-year transition period before an institution is granted full Division I status. In addition, NCAA rules also mandate that new conferences must also play for two years with six core Division I members before they can become eligible for automatic qualification into NCAA championship competition; thus the extended time horizon for MPSF women's lacrosse.
The five teams comprising the MPSF women's lacrosse conference played together during the 2002 and 2003 seasons as the Mountain Pacific Lacrosse League (MPLL) while also having previously banded together as the Western Women's Lacrosse League. Stanford hosted the MPLL title game and beat Cal 15-14 to win the 2003 championship with Denver taking third over UC Davis in a 13-10 consolation victory.
The Pioneers (8-6, 2-2 MPLL) are currently in the process of finalizing a head coaching hire for the 2004 season. Denver had its most successful season at the Division I level, posting an 8-6 record and its first winning season on the senior circuit under the tutelage of former head coach Abby Burbank.
The conference is in the process of finalizing conference regulations, schedules and officiating programs in preparation for its inaugural season.
