WCLL Week 5 (2/23 - 2/28): Schedule, Thoughts, & Scores

[Ravaging Beast]

I figured both teams for a few more goals...

I would have to say that the score reflects a game between two good teams with good defenses. Look at the scores of the last three meetings between UCSB and CSU. Both teams probably had the strongest offenses in the league, but their defenses were even stronger. Giving up 10+ goals says something about the team’s defense, not their opposing teams offense.

[bbandlax]

Credit has to be given to AZ for stepping up in this game. Once again BYU comes out and plays without heart in the 1st half, going down 6-1 early on. I was not at this game but BYU's lack of quality play (or rather being out-played by their opponents) in the 1st half will doom their season if they can not turn that trend around. It is just too difficult to constantly have to come back from 4 or 5 down. You might be able to do it every now and then, but not against the top teams.

I am glad to see they kept Zona in single digits but I think the Laxcats holding BYU to 8 goals is way more impressive.

[thelastmohican]

thats right LAX SAMURAI...

[batman]

Friday night under the lights at Cal. Cal?

[Bluevelvet]

from WCLL.com:

Arizona came out and followed their game plan to perfection. While holding the ball for most of the first quarter, Arizona outshot BYU 7-3, scoring a goal a piece with Adam Paris(3g,1a) and Dave Sherman. Making the score at the end of the first, 2-0 Arizona. In the 2nd quarter Arizona continued their ball possession game and exploded on offense scoring 2 more goals early in the quarter making the score 4-0 to the 5:40 mark, before BYU got on the board with their first goal of the game. Arizona answered with 2 more goals, one by Harrison Crawford(3g). Making the score 6-1. BYU scored with 7 seconds let in the Half, making the score at Halftime 6-2. The first goal score in the second half came from Arizona defensemen Carson Parmelee. BYU answered with 2 goals. Then Arizona responded with another goal from Harrison Crawford on a man down situation. Making the score at the end of the third 8-4. In the fourth BYU's big guns seemed to come alive scoring twice before Adam Paris scored what would be the game winner at the 5:12 mark. The exciting finish in the fourth had arizona scrambling and BYU attacking. BYU manage two more goals and had a shot saved by Charlie Salemi with 10 seconds left. Making the Final 9-8. Great preformance by Charlie Salemi(17 saves) and Tim McComb (9GB). Arizona wants to thank BYU for the great game. The Laxcats next game will be an Offical Scrimmage friday against Division 2's NYIT. Game will be at Mesquite HS in PHX @7pm.

[the lax]

Carson Parmlee is an absolute bruiser. Look at the picture of him that shows up on the website banner.

I wonder how many times Arizona was warned for stalling.

Can we say in a small sense that Arizona high school lax is better than Utah high school lax?

[onpoint]

No. Having been to Vail and seeing the youth and U-19 teams from those areas, Utah is still better, but not by a whole lot. Plus, Utah beat ASU and almost UA with almost all Utah-bred players.

[CATLAX MAN]

Playing a ball possession game does not always equate to needing a stall warning.

[the lax]

Of course it doesn't. Can't I be curious?

equate, good word

e·quate ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-kwt)
v. e·quat·ed, e·quat·ing, e·quates
v. tr.

1. To make equal or equivalent.
2. To reduce to a standard or an average; equalize.
3. To consider, treat, or depict as equal or equivalent: equates inexperience with youth

Every one should try to use it in a sentence.

[CATLAX MAN]

Of course you can. I just brought it up because I've seen criticism of ball possession offenses before. It's not the first time that ball possession & stalling came up in the same sentence. If done right, the ball possession offense is the most effective way to slow down a high powered offense. It also must be accompanied by playing a very stiff defense to be effective. Look at the championship game the last 2 years and you will see good examples of what I am talking about.

In Arizona's case against BYU, they talked about how they possessed the ball in the first half, but at the same time managed to get off 19 shots in the first half. That would appear not to be stalling.

[the lax]

BYU could be in for a long season based on their schedule.

Do you forsee Arizona trying this tactic again against UCSB and others? How talented is their faceoff man? That is a huge aspect of possesion. Maybe he outworked BYU's fogo.

[the lax]

A few pictures from the game

http://www.uslia.com/photos/2005/wcll/b ... index.html

[Hackalicious]

Friday night under the lights at Cal. Santa Clara or Cal?

Cal by 2.

[slider]

I'm not a fan of the stalling rule or its enforcement. If my team is winning by two with four minutes left and we're not going to the goal, we're playing smart lacrosse. The burden is on the losing team to take the ball away. We already have the rule to "keep it in the box" under two minutes, which is fine. I have a problem with refs throwing out the stalling warning in the first half or early in the second. It's strategy and the refs shouldn't, in effect, play defense by making the stalling team keep it in the box.

A couple years ago a coach from another conference mentioned going out west to learn how to play/ play against the "WCLL slow-down style." Is that really the reputation of the league? Does the RMLC (mostly CSU, BYU) play an up-tempo style?

[Danny Hogan]

A couple years ago a coach from another conference mentioned going out west to learn how to play/ play against the "WCLL slow-down style." Is that really the reputation of the league? Does the RMLC (mostly CSU, BYU) play an up-tempo style?

at some point the west coast did develope a stall-ball reputation, with shoot-outs that ended like 4-3 and 6-5. That was more a result of the rest of teh country playing summer league-type run and gun. Not quite so much in recent years. The way they play is the way smart lacrosse is played. The rest of the country was/is trying to play catch up. Michigan and recently GA Tech know how to do it as well. CSU and BYU can pretty much play however they want.