Weekend Fallout

[onpoint]

Some key things this weekend. Simon Fraser is going the way of Texas A&M and completely fading into the sunset. No doubt that Cal Poly is still a quality team and was likely given an unfair shake in the rankings a little bit, but it doesn't seem like SFU is even showing up to play games right now. Don't know if they have some injuries or what. Freshman goalie aside, I can NEVER remember when they didn't score 5 goals in a game once, let alone in two consecutive games. This team could find themselves on the outside of the top 25 real soon if they aren't careful. They play Chapman later in the year.

On the flip side, Cal Poly has put themselves right back in contention with a that solid victory. Every game but one on the Mustangs' remaining schedule are vs. ranked teams. Games vs. Oregon, Utah, BYU, UCSD, Arizona and Sonoma are all upcoming for Poly. They still control their own destiny.

Virginia Tech's solid weekend puts them in prime position as well. The only ranked team that they will play the rest of the year is Florida State. But they do have three tough SELC opponents in Vanderbilt, NC State and Georgia. If they can keep on track with a one or zero loss regular season and solid SELC tourney run, it will be tough to keep the Hokies out of Minnesota too.

Boston College is also sitting pretty with a good little run in the WCLL. They have about three weeks off before starting their PCLL schedule, so it doesn't look like BC will be going anywhere in the polls either. Their game vs. New Hampshire will obviously be key.

Today's WCLL conference games will also have a big effect at the end of the day. Keep an eye on how Arizona vs. UCSD and Chico vs. Sonoma play out as well.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Some key things this weekend. Simon Fraser is going the way of Texas A&M and completely fading into the sunset. No doubt that Cal Poly is still a quality team and was likely given an unfair shake in the rankings a little bit, but it doesn't seem like SFU is even showing up to play games right now. Don't know if they have some injuries or what. Freshman goalie aside, I can NEVER remember when they didn't score 5 goals in a game once, let alone in two consecutive games. This team could find themselves on the outside of the top 25 real soon if they aren't careful. They play Chapman later in the year.

I can't disagree with your assessment, Alex. I don't believe there has been much (or even any) fall-off in talent for the Clansmen -- sure they graduated Kojima but still have plenty of offensive talent. It bears reminding, however, that Head Coach Brent Hoskins is in his first season and has installed an entirely new team-concept and focus for SFU. Often it takes a year or two for the players to "get it". This is certainly true of Washington, which played with too little discipline in the past, and even in Dejon Hush's first season last year. But it IS sinking in for the Huskies, finally, and I'm pretty confident that Simon Fraser will "be back" before the playoffs get here, too. SFU has LMU today and plays Rhode Island and Chapman this coming weekend at the Husky Indoor Tournament, and I'll be curious to watch these games for clues to how the Clan is shaping up.

[CPLaxGM]

.... but it doesn't seem like SFU is even showing up to play games right now. Don't know if they have some injuries or what. Freshman goalie aside, I can NEVER remember when they didn't score 5 goals in a game once, let alone in two consecutive games.

It's not my place to comment on Simon Fraser's recent slide, but I can tell you that it definitely has nothing to do with their goalie. He may be a freshman but he played out of his mind yesterday, and from the game report for their victory over Oregon it looks like he was the single biggest reason for their win over the Ducks. We have played SFU three years in a row now and I would say that this year's goalie (sorry, don't know his name and don't have the scorebook on me) is much better than the senior that graduated last year.

Marc Lea
CP Lacrosse

[some kid]

Simon Fraser is going the way of Texas A&M and completely fading into the sunset. No doubt that Cal Poly is still a quality team and was likely given an unfair shake in the rankings a little bit, but it doesn't seem like SFU is even showing up to play games right now... On the flip side, Cal Poly has put themselves right back in contention with a that solid victory

I can't disagree with your assessment, Alex. I don't believe there has been much (or even any) fall-off in talent for the Clansmen -- sure they graduated Kojima but still have plenty of offensive talent. It bears reminding, however, that Head Coach Brent Hoskins is in his first season and has installed an entirely new team-concept and focus for SFU. Often it takes a year or two for the players to "get it"... SFU has LMU today and plays Rhode Island and Chapman this coming weekend at the Husky Indoor Tournament, and I'll be curious to watch these games for clues to how the Clan is shaping up.

SFU lost another one! This time to LMU. I think SFU is really missing Kojima offensively this year. To say that the Clan haven't lost "any" talent with his departure is silly. By the way, Steve's the new Head Coach at LMU. Perhaps that's one of the reasons LMU was able to pull off their up-set win this past weekend. Either way, that's now three suprising losses for SFU this year, after early wins over ranked teams, Chico and Oregon. It'll be interesting to see where they end up in the polls and how they do at the Husky Invitational, as Dan says. And yes... Pascas seems to be filing the void of Johnson very nicely. SFU still has plenty of offensive talent. I just think they need more time to gel as a team. We will see

[CATLAX MAN]

Good luck to the pollsters this week sorting out the 8-20 jigsaw puzzle. I do not envy you. Cases can be made for many teams up or down. Take Chico for example, they almost beat Sonoma losing 5-4 in a close game, but they lost to Oregon who Sonoma dominated and also lost to SFU who was crushed by Cal Poly & Washington and lost to unranked LMU. But they have wins against Cal Poly & Florida. How do you place this team? Similar situations are there for other teams like FSU (losses to SB, Sonoma, & Minnesota but a win against GA Tech), or Oregon (losses to Sonoma & SFU but win over Chico). What do you do with Lindenwood who is unbeaten, but those wins are becoming diluted? It's enough to make your head explode. Have fun. At least it doesn't mean any thing yet.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Good luck to the pollsters this week sorting out the 8-20 jigsaw puzzle. I do not envy you. Cases can be made for many teams up or down. Take Chico for example, they almost beat Sonoma losing 5-4 in a close game, but they lost to Oregon who Sonoma dominated and also lost to SFU who was crushed by Cal Poly & Washington and lost to unranked LMU. But they have wins against Cal Poly & Florida. How do you place this team? Similar situations are there for other teams like FSU (losses to SB, Sonoma, & Minnesota but a win against GA Tech), or Oregon (losses to Sonoma & SFU but win over Chico). What do you do with Lindenwood who is unbeaten, but those wins are becoming diluted? It's enough to make your head explode. Have fun. At least it doesn't mean any thing yet.

I couldn't agree more, my friend. I've spent a few hours already, and am pretty well set 1-22. But 23-25 is almost impossible for me to finish -- I have about two dozen teams worthy of consideration for the three slots. I've had undefeated Georgia, for example, as high as 23 and as low as 34 in my first two drafts. Laxpower TSI has some significant anomalies this early, but the PRs are pretty good with a few notable and obvious exceptions. Conference standings help only a little, because certain key matchups haven't yet been played.

My only predictions: The poll released may not match any off the thirty votes cast, and there may be a record number of teams "also receiving votes" in this poll who are not ranked in the Top 25.

[CSUalum32]

cant wait to see it today