PNCLL Week #10 (4/5-4/11) -- Predict, Scores & Discuss

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

With the scores reported thus far, it appears that some of the playoff scenarios are getting clearer in the B division.

Assuming PLU defeats UPS in a rivalry game this week (and yes, I know this is a big assumption). . .

If WWU defeats Whitman next week they are guaranteed the B divison North title. (WWUs loss to Montana was not a division game) If Whitman wins PLU wins the North (with a win over UPS).

Montana has clinched the B division South and the #1 seed. Barring major upsets, WWU gets the #2 seed, SOU gets the #3 seed, and PLU will be the #4 seed.

Whitman will likely end up the 5 seed with their win over UPS today, and the Linfield vs. Western Oregon game next week will be for the last playoff spot. (this assumes Montana beats CWU next week. If CWU pulls off the upset, and WOU beats Linfield, it can get a little crazy.)

So. . .to sum it all up, if the favorites win their games next week, the playoff look like this:

1 Montana (bye)
2. WWU (bye)
3. SOU (hosts winner of LC vs. WOU)
4. PLU (hosts Whitman)
5. Whitman
6. LC or WOU

Keep in mind if Whitman knocks off WWU next weekend, PLU gets the #2 and Whitman gets the #3 or #4.

[Hi-Line Lax]

Griz over the Bobcats 13-8 today in Missoula. I was sorry I couldn't play in this excellent in-state rivalry game, but it was certainly fun to watch. The rain held off all weekend and we had some beautiful days here for lacrosse...bringing out a crowd of 200+, along with 2 local TV stations and 3 of the city newspapers. Great to see the Cats out in Missoula...thanks much to them and Western Washington for making the trips this weekend, we appreciate it. Good luck to you both in the rest of your seasons.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Kevin,

Are you injured? Why didn't you play?

Thanks to the Grizz for hosting a great weekend of ranked USLIA teams for some OOC games.

It was a great weekend for the PNCLL, with Montana and Western Washington both beating the highly ranked Bobcats of Montana State.

[Hi-Line Lax]

I got into a car accident last week on my way back from Bozeman and have been in a neck brace since. I go back today to get my range of motion checked out, but I'm still in quite a lot of pain...luckily I'm quite familiar with the sidelines and we have the depth at defense to make up for it.

[Dan Wishengrad]

The game report for the Linfield vs Oregon State game mentions two players taken off the field by ambulance. Can somebody please explain the nature of these injuries and give us an update? My thoughts and prayers are with the injured laxxers -- I HATE seeing anybody seriously hurt playing this great game.

[osulax]

This isn't final, but last I heard one was for an ankle injury and the other was for a neck injury. I wouldn't mind hearing from Tim though on how they are both doing.

[Linfield]

The good news is that both players appear to be OK. One player had his leg pinned at an awkward angle and was inadvertantly stepped on. Immeadiate concern was a broken lower leg, but it appears to be just a deep contunsion, maybe a possible hairline fracture.
The other was an attackman colliding with a much larger D stick and suffered a head an neck injury. Concerning because when I got out there all four extremitities were tingling and he was feeling strong pain in his neck. As a precautionary he was braced, backboarded and taken to the hospital. After a CAT scan he was fully cleared and sent home without even a temporary brace.

There are two things I would like to emphasize in all of this though:

#1 None of these injuries were in any way the fault of any players or any questionable play. This has just been our year for injuries as the refs cn attest to.
#2 We are extremely thankful for OSU's training staff. To my recollection, they were one of the first school's to require training staff at all campus athletic events, and many other schools do so as well. Linfield has always argued with the college over this issue and still has yet to be accomodated or given the budget to do so. It is also one of the benefits of playing in the RMLC, as their conference, like many others, require a trainer be present even for neutral site games. For example, UVSC was required to provide one for our game vs MT because it was at their field. This a policy that I feel is very important, even though we would have difficulty compling. Maybe continued sanctions by the league would give us the necessary leverage with the college. But with storger and faster athletes every year, am thankful for how lucky we have been so far.

Like Dan said, I think all of the coaches in this league care deeply about the players, and certainly have major concerns when injuries occur. However, I can not speak highly enough about the class of the OSU team and fans, and how they handled the game this weekend.

[tiplax]

However, I can not speak highly enough about the class of the OSU team and fans, and how they handled the game this weekend.

Cuz thats how we roll . Good game Cats, we hope the recovery of the two injured players goes quickly and smoothly.

[lincoln02]

western has yet to file a game report.

is butterwedge ok?

he's usually quite punctual.

[woulax23]

sorry.... it's been a busy week and i haven't gotten the stat sheet yet. I will have one in sometime tonight, and yes i am ok except for my pride.

[lincoln02]

correct me if i'm wrong dr. stockton, but i believe the playoff picture you painted is incorrect.

barring any upsets this weekend, linfield and whitman will both finish the season with 5-3 division records.

with linfield's victory over whitman earlier this season, wouldn't linfield clinch the #5 spot, giving whitman the #6 seed?