The Colorado State University men’s lacrosse team announced its 2008 captains and spring schedule this weekend.  Three seniors lead the Rams in their quest for a record fifth MCLA national championship after a disappointing overtime loss in the semifinals to Oregon in 2007.

Seniors John Tomlinson, Dylan Bowman and Dylan Preble were all voted captains by their teammates last week.  Tomlinson, an attackman from Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, CO, finished 2007 with 10 goals and 9 assists during the regular season and a bushel more in the MCLA playoffs.  The Rams will lean on Tomlinson to lead a young attack group that loses its top two scorers from a year ago.

Bowman, a midfielder from Fairview High School in Boulder, CO, is a converted attackman that spent most of 2007 playing defensive midfield and on face-off wings.  This year, the Rams will rely on Bowman to provide some additional scoring punch to a relatively young team.  Bowman scored 10 goals and added 2 assists last season.

Dylan Preble was the third captain selected by vote of his teammates.  Preble is a solidly built defenseman that has found his way near the top of the rotation since arriving at CSU in 2005.  Preble comes from Bainbridge High School near Seattle, WA and his leadership and poise will be important to the Rams in 2008.

In addition to naming captains, the Rams also announced their tentative 2008 spring schedule.  Two major trips to Minnesota and California headline the road schedule for CSU, who will also host a slew of nationally ranked teams in Fort Collins and Denver.

The Rams start the year with their annual tilt against Division III rival Colorado College on February 23rd.  A week later, CSU makes their first ever trip to Minnesota to play Boston College, the University of Minnesota and Minnesota-Duluth on consecutive days in the Chris Jenkins Memorial Tournament hosted by the University of Minnesota.

After a week off, the Rams host the University of Texas on March 11th before making its Spring Break trip to San Diego.   CSU will square off against UC-San Diego, Sonoma State and Loyola Marymount on consecutive days before taking some time off for Spring Break.

The Rams will get another crack at the Oregon Ducks upon returning to Fort Collins March 25th.  The game against the Ducks will mark the start of a seven game homestand to end the season.  Games against Cal Poly, Utah, Arizona, Brigham Young and Michigan will be peppered throughout late March and April.

Colorado State concludes its regular season with the 5th annual Rocky Mountain Showdown against the Colorado Buffaloes at INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium.  2008 will mark the third straight year the Showdown has been held at INVESCO Field.