PNCLL Week #5 (3/6 - 3/12) -- Predict/Scores/Discuss

by **Dan Wishengrad** on Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:00 pm

Saturday, March 10th
Lewis & Clark 5 at Albertson 25
Montana 13 vs Simon Fraser 21 (at WWU)
Oregon 15 at Oregon State 7
Whitman 6 at Western Washington 17
Willamette 1 at Southern Oregon 27

Sunday, March 11th
Linfield 5 at Southern Oregon 21
Montana 10 at Western Washington 9
UC Davis 13 at Boise State 4
Willamette 2 at Western Oregon 24

While the quantity of action is off a little in Week #5, with fewer games due to final exams at many schools, the quality of competition remains high. Kyle will preview the games involving the A Division: An important OOC game for the Broncos in Boise, an intriguing Grizzlies-Clansmen A/B game and, last but certainly not least, the matter of the Civil War between UO and OSU.

The B Division spotlight focuses on Western Washington (3-0; 3-1) where the Vikings and "Bruce the Bear" play host to Whitman (2-2; 3-3) and Montana (1-0; 1-1) in a pair of crucial B-North affairs. Senior Attackman Andy Young of WWU leads the MCLA B Division with 21 goals and 11 assists in only 4 games, for an 8.0 points-per-game average. The Vikings are torching PNCLL opponents for a 19 goals-per-game average, and with the lopsided win over PLU this past weekend, WWU has established itself as the team to beat in B-North.

The Missionaries are not only in the playoff hunt at 2-2, but must be emotionally buoyed by their strong showing at home against Montana in a 14-11 loss on Sunday. Whitman outscored the Grizzlies 8-7 in the second half and reportedly could have won had the Missionaries converted more of their many man-up opportunities. Freshman Bidnam Lee (14, 7) and Senior Peter Drake (13, 7) are pacing the Whitman offense, which has scored at least ten goals in it's past three games. Odds are the Missionaries will have to sneak at least 10 or more past Noah Symington to pull off the upset of #15 Western Washington.

Montana and its fans must surely be scratching their heads at the first weekend's results, which might have cost the Grizzlies' their #1 ranking in the new B Top 25 out tomorrow. Losing to an A Division team is no shame, of course, but many observers expected UM to romp over a Zags squad coming off two lopsided losses the previous week. Not only did Gonzaga beat the Griz, but Montana got all it could handle the next day from the Missionaries, too. Once again, not what most PNCLL insiders predicted. But shaky or not a win is a win, and the task at hand is another long road trip to play an explosive A team that has been blowing out the competition the past few weeks, and then turn around the next day for the big dvisional tilt with Western. A tremendous opportunity for the Griz to show the PNCLL and the entire MCLA where they figure in the big scheme of things. The Vikings have always been tough to beat at their place, and with a raucous home crowd this could be the game of the regular season in the B Division.

Good luck to everyone, and please report all the scores in thread ASAP.

**Sponsor**

by **Hi-Line Lax** on Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:17 am

I don't think anyone here is scratching their heads too hard... we only had three practices going into last weekend and Gonzaga and Whitman are both solid teams. It's going to take a few weeks for us to sort out all the new players, new roles, chemistry, etc... we still have a lot to work out defensively, but I was always planning on peaking late this season.

I'm just glad the sun was finally shining today in Missoula.

by **Blake** on Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:57 am

Here I go, being an ACI homer again:

Albertson will win its game against Lewis and Clark this weekend, and be sitting at a pretty nifty 3-1. Their remaining schedule isn't exactly easy: Western Oregon, Southern Oregon, Montana, and Whitman (at home). However, if they can pull of some upsets and go 2-2 during that stretch, I think a 5-3 record may get them in.

First playoff appearance perhaps?

by **TheNino57** on Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:58 am

ACI and CWU remain the only teams in the PNCLL B Division who have never seen post-season action. If both teams can end the drought, that would be great. Hey Blake, I'll root for your 'Yotes if you root for my Wildcats!

by **Blake** on Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:32 pm

Deal...unless it comes down to a tie-break, at which point I will be actively rooting against you :lol:

by **TheNino57** on Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:44 pm

Fine with me!

by **Ryan Hanavan** on Wed Mar 07, 2007 1:02 pm

Hi-Line Lax wrote:I don't think anyone here is scratching their heads too hard... we only had three practices going into last weekend and Gonzaga and Whitman are both solid teams. It's going to take a few weeks for us to sort out all the new players, new roles, chemistry, etc... we still have a lot to work out defensively, but I was always planning on peaking late this season.

I'm just glad the sun was finally shining today in Missoula.

I remember those "spring" practices in Missoula. We worried more about guys getting frost bite than how our EMO was going to work. I got to see Montana play the Zags last weekend and even though they lost they show signs of going on a serious run. Once these guys get going I'm sure they will gel and become a great team to watch. The Zags also played a great game!

Yeah I'm biased towards Montana but they really do look like a team that will be tough to face down the stretch. Good luck against SFU and WWU this weekend! The white gloves are also pretty sick.

by **Mark Brown** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:14 pm

From Ashland, OR

SOU- 27
Willamette- 1

by **Blake** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:19 pm

Albertson - 25
Lewis and Clark - 5

Cody went off. 6 goals in the first quarter, finished with 11 and 2 assists. Other than that, ball was spread out pretty well. Lewis and Clark scored almost all of their goals in the first quarter. I think the Yotes were a little too relaxed to start.

ACI now 3-1.

by **Timbalaned** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:05 pm

15-7, Oregon over OSU... Here is to the new #1 Ducks!!!!

just heard that julian had 9 goals if anyone cares

by **Hi-Line Lax** on Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:32 pm

SFU over Montana something like 20-13, I'm waiting for them to input their scores before it becomes official... scorebooks were trashed from the weather.

Breakout game for Sam Cameron, Townsend's debut at midfield, much better play out of the Griz today overall.

SFU is a real solid team... poll voters need to get wise, these guys are Top 25 material for sure.

by **Scrape Mode** on Sun Mar 11, 2007 12:31 am

Hi-Line Lax wrote: SFU is a real solid team... poll voters need to get wise, these guys are Top 25 material for sure.

What Top 25 team do you suggest they replace?
Maybe poll voters are wise and all this game shows is a decisive win over a B-squad who lost to Gonzaga. But then again, maybe you're right and the reason SFU won't get any love in the polls is because they don't have any wins over a top 25 team (do they)?! I saw SFU play earlier this season and I thought they had dropped off a little compared to pervious seasons, but maybe they are starting to come together as a team. Keep Thumbin' It!

by **I'm back baby!!!** on Sun Mar 11, 2007 1:11 am

BURN.

by **lincoln02** on Sun Mar 11, 2007 1:12 am

Scrape Mode wrote: Keep Thumbin' It!

wow.

i may be a few deep, but that's precious.

cheers!

by **Movin' a Couch** on Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:03 am

THAT guy on THAT team? Where does the chip on his shoulder come from?