LSA CHAMPIONSHIP

[jessexy]

Texas actually won in 99 as well. This was the end of their 5 year run and the beginning of the Aggies 4 year run. BUT, there was still the NIRSA issue, so the Aggies went to the show in our place. I even think the score was 14-13. Same score in the regular season as well.

Bronson is correct regarding 1999 and why the Aggies went. Karl is also correct regarding Trinity.

The Aggies first round win in 2000 over one of the top seeded teams, Tennesse, was special because of the impression they left the year before when they went to St. Louis last minute in place of Texas and had pretty much every scoring record in the books for the tourney set against them. Pick up a National Tourney guide and I believe the Aggies hold the distinction for most goals allowed in a tourney game back in 1999. Give them credit though, five starters were unable to make the trip since it was so last minute. My how the league and structure has advanced.

Just another history lesson for those young whiper snappers out there trolling the boards!

A&M learned alot from that first trip to STL, when only 16 or so players went on the trip. That led to lots of organizational and motivational changes that only helped the team get stronger. We beat Tennessee handily in that first round and surprised alot of people, even ourselves. SOnoma State was watching and taught us another lesson in the 2nd round.

We also had the best opening round game the next year against Colorado, but lost by 2 after going in as the higher seed (6th, if i remember). We won 2 games that season against VaTech (maybe) and Simon Fraser, so we actually went 2-1 in that tournament.

I think Auburn is the team that scored so manyh goals against us in the final game of our first tourney back in 99.

[JW]

Forfeits and refusal to play are straight leadership problems.

The problem for the LSA is that suspending these teams hurts the teams like southwestern and SEU because they'll lose their National AQ status. I don't think the models teams in the II division should be affected by SFA and Trinity's punishment.

And thats not fun to talk about. I'd rather talk about the depth in the LSA and how a team can have an all american candidate and a co-offensive mvp and still not make the conference playoffs. Now that is depth. I can't wait to see if that happens in the other conferences.

I totally agree with you, and not to call out SFA, but there was a lot of talk from them last fall that this year was going to be different, they showed it was different on the field for the most part, but at the toughest time of the semester could not hang in there. I don't know all the reasons why a team just decides to give up on a season, but Trinity and SFA gave up, when they had a lot to play for. It's a shame, but we relish this opportunity.

So today we found out that we would be playing, and tonight at 9pm we met for our first practice in 3 weeks and 90% of our team showed up.
UTA is commited to the LSA and look forward to putting together a great game against Southwestern and make the most of our second chance.

We are absolutely pumped about playing in Texas Stadium (especially our face-off guys {getting to take the face on the Star}) How awesome is that going to be. Roaming the same sidelines as Cowboys legends and coaching legends Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, and Bill Parcells. It will be unreal.

[laxforlife]

I am going to be honest and say that I am tired of being part of the worst division in College lacrosse. Lets face it, LSA division II is a joke. I guess it is better then not playing at all but you cant tell me anything other that. If you do, then you are straight lying to yourself. UTA, Sam Houston, and Austin College did not have good enough seasons to be in a playoff, let alone Dallas cowboy stadium.

Sorry, this just hurts in many ways. I guess I should be thankful that there actually is playoffs this year.

Go on you optimistic voices of LSA II........do your worst.

[seulax10]

I am going to be honest and say that I am tired of being part of the worst division in College lacrosse. Lets face it, LSA division II is a joke. I guess it is better then not playing at all but you cant tell me anything other that. If you do, then you are straight lying to yourself. UTA, Sam Houston, and Austin College did not have good enough seasons to be in a playoff, let alone Dallas cowboy stadium.

Sorry, this just hurts in many ways. I guess I should be thankful that there actually is playoffs this year.

Go on you optimistic voices of LSA II........do your worst.

I agree, LSA-2 is a joke (which is a shame because until these recent events started to unfold because of the playoffs, everything seemed in working order). The real question is whether or not it can ever be fixed. If not do D1 and 2 join together and the teams that are willing to continue (SU and SEU mainly), get thrown in and struggle?

I remember last year we were automatically put into the championship game with a 2-6 (2-2) record (granted we were eventually disqualified like everyone else in LSA-2 minus Southwestern). With a season record like that and not even having to play a game to be placed in the conference championship game, it made me feel slightly embarrassed of the conference.

Also, does anyone happen to know the details behind SFA's fall out and Trinity's sudden refusal to play in the tournament when they were so eager to play us again...what was it, a little over a week ago?

[seulax6]

Yes, the LSA II is suffering but do not include SU or SEU as being a joke. Our two teams are more committed than many. SEU played the number one team in the country, the number 12 team (SU) in the country, and then went to California to play pepperdine and Biola, two others that are in the top 25. We are trying to compete at a very high level. We even lost our coach midway through the season, but our players have a drive second to none.

Its hard to get people to come to practice, when they are not getting paid to play, and no school support. Those that do come although, are the ones I want on the field, the ones that love the game.

I am looking forward to the championships. I also encourage everyone to watch St. Eds play Southwestern as this rivalry is HUGE. If you have not seen a southwestern V SEU game your definately missing out.

SEU has some former Team Texas Stars on the offensive side, along with one of the best D's in the COUNTRY on the other side. This is one of the most intense games you will see.

PS>>>>>
SEVERAL GUYS FROM SEU ARE ATTENDING THE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BOSTON, IF YOU ARE GOING TOO GIVE ME A SHOUT

[primelax]

Enough!

Austin College W 17-8
Westminster College L 17-4
Biola L 15-4
Pepperdin L 12-2
Southwestern L 11-1

St. Eds is a good team but to say that they have one of the best defenses in the country.....well just look at the scores. All double digit loses and to give up 8 goals against ACU, well that just says it right there.

[Buc_em_up]

Thank you primelax

Also, {d}oes anyone happen to know the details behind SFA's fall out and Trinity's sudden refusal to play in the tournament when they were so eager to play us again...what was it, a little over a week ago?

I heard from a Trinity attack-man during our game against them that they would not be participating in the play-offs because it conflicted with their finals week. It conflicts with ours as well but you don't see us missing it.

I guess this is just one of those commitment issues prevalent in the LSA II.

[JW]

I am as frustrated as you guys are.

Yes we were 1-5.

No we did not play an OOC game this year.

But when Coach Bowman called us about playing in the Playoffs, how can we not play. Don't blame us for being in the playoffs. Don't blame Austin College either. The situation is what it is. SFA and Trinity had good seasons should have been in the playoffs, but for whatever reasons won't be there. That's there loss.

This year for us at UTA has been a building year. We were out of the league for a year and so this year was about putting in place the infrastructure to not just compete this year, but to be around for years to come.

Be mad if you want (because that is the emotion that i am sensing), but here it is:

Southwestern v UTA
St. Edwards v Austin College

We are not going to apologize for the season we had, and we are not going to apologize for showing up to the playoffs. Like I said earlier, our season was officially over 2 weeks ago with our Alumni game and we had already begun thinking about next year, but we were at practice last night, and will be again tonight. We will be there on May 2nd in full force and ready to play.

We all have work to do to ensure that this conference continues to grow. From the organization of the individual teams, to supporting new teams and bringing them into the fold.

This is the last that i will say about it until after the playoffs because nothing is going to change, so there is no sense talking about it.

[seulax6]

I want you guys to play, prove to everyone you belong here. Ya'll are playing lacrosse bc you love it. And who wouldnt wanna play in texas stadium. Its going to be sick! I wanna stand on the star!

[shrekjr]

Hey guys, debating the situation is fine. Let's try to avoid the bashing with comments regarding how bad teams may be and just enjoy the fact there is even a tournament to play in.

[NYBuilt]

http://forums.collegelax.us/viewtopic.p ... 470#104470

Enjoy LSA II

[seulax10]

I hope my comments were taken the wrong way by anyone. I'm glad Austin College and Texas - Arlington are willing to step up and fill spots of less committed schools (I understand that finals are more important, don't get me wrong). I'm sure it is frustrating for all when the tournament had to be redrawn two years running (maybe more, I only know of my two seasons).

[OklahomaLax45]

Also, does anyone happen to know the details behind SFA's fall out...

As far as SFA goes, they had to cancel on us last minute back in March simply because the could not get enough guys to travel to Norman. Other then that, I dont know what is going on. Best bet would be to call Josh up.

Sucks to hear though, and I hope that the future is brighter for both them and the rest of D2.

[preplax]

Do you all think SMU has a shot at the championship? I was surprised to see they didn't have a single player on 1st team all - LSA. Individually, they are very talented

[NYBuilt]

Thats always the M/O with SMU. They are a deep team. Therefore, their stats are spread out. That is not becoming when trying to select all conference players. If half of the team sucked and one player could score 57 goals and 12 assists OR 43 goals and 17 assists then I could see one player getting the recognition for 1st. Maybe defensively they should have had a 1st teamer. The goalie that got hurt was sick, surprised he didn't win an award.