BYU vs Utah

[BigheadTodd]

Who will win? Looking at common opponents this year, the game should be a close one. The U has definately improved by leaps and bounds since last year. Unfortunately for them they seem to have a BYU phobia, and play badly against them. My heart says Utah by 2, but my head says BYU by 8.

[byualum]

Who will win? Looking at common opponents this year, the game should be a close one. The U has definately improved by leaps and bounds since last year. Unfortunately for them they seem to have a BYU phobia, and play badly against them. My heart says Utah by 2, but my head says BYU by 8.

Stick with your head. It's much closer.

[shocker P]

It will be a game to watch, it’s always fun to go for the underdog, especially when they have a chance to knock off the 3rd seed. They really do have a chance ya know. My guess is that Utah will WIN by 2!

[onpoint]

Look for BYU to put their stamp on this game early and get out by four or five goals. Then they will coast to victory by about that same margin. I'm excited to see Utah goalie Jeremy Johnson in action.

[mcneito]

I'm excited to see Utah goalie Jeremy Johnson in action.

He is one of the best goalies in the league in my opinion. He is an exciting player to watch. SHould be a fun game.

[OAKS]

At 5-1 BYU with 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, the Utah goalie has saved everything he's supposed to, excepting possibly that stick-side high shot (was a great shot though). So far I think every goal for BYU has been from the result of a late or non-existant slide, or a mistake on defense. Utah's goal came on a great offensive effort, with practically nothing BYU's defense could have done about it.

[OAKS]

So is this a bad game for Utah, or a good game for BYU (their shot selection is about the only thing that appears lacking right now)? Either way, Utah is not looking like a #13 team. Unless the 2nd half is different, I think the RMLC's hope of 4 teams in Blaine is on a very slippery slope.

[byualum]

Great first half for BYU...very sloppy second half. Utah played with very little intensity until the second half and by then it was too late. Once again, the BYU ride had major impact on this game. Utah was just over 50% on their clears.

The first half team is the one that will have to show up for BYU if they are to get by CU and have a shot at CSU. Still waiting for Coach Lamb to stick Powers for an entire game. He looked to be the stronger of the two goalies tonight.

[OAKS]

and congrats to whoever got engaged. that's the 2nd proposal i've seen at a lax game.

[the lax]

On the stats page, Walker Bateman is listed at 8 goals 8 assists through 12 games. Is he a bust, or not as good as advertised?

[TrainerDan]

In response to the question on Bateman I would say he does so many things that don't make the stats page. His faceoffs have made a huge difference in the Cougars this year versus the past couple of years. He's physical in the midfield and helps setup others for success.

If you look at BYU no single person jumps out at you off the stats page. But if you look at how many differnt guys contribute with goals and assists then you will see their depth and ability to score from so many different guys. It's so hard to try and shut one guy down when so many others can hurt you. Look at the game last night, Utah tried to shutoff Tschaggeny and then got killed by so many other different guys. I like the overall depth of the Cougars offense, something they haven't had a lot of the past couple of seasons.

Bateman is a very valuable part of this team and there isn't a coach out there on an opposing team that doesn't make sure they know where he is on the field.

[onpoint]

Really disappointing performance by Utah last night. Not a whole lot I saw for them to move up in the polls. I'd just like to see a little more heart and hustle out of this team because they certainly have some good talent. Johnson played solidly and their attackmen have skill, but when you are #13 taking on #3 on the road in a rivalry game, you would think they would have played with a little more urgency and a plan. It's not like BYU is hard to scout, they've been on TV four times this year!! Seemed like Utah really had no plan of attack, especially on the clear, which was the difference in the first half. I didn't stick around to watch the second, but I feel like the Utes blew a good opportunity by not showing up to win the game. It seemed like they were just going through the motions.

[TrainerDan]

Anyone else here as unimpressed as I was with Utah? They've been hyped as being so much better and deserving of a trip to Nationals but after watching that game on Friday, yikes! They were dominated from start to finish. At no time in the game were they ever even a threat to the Cougars. They have improved, a couple of years ago BYU would have put up over 20 on these guys, but they just did not look good.

[byualum]

Agree with onpoint and TrainerDan. I hoped this would be a 2-3 goal game and get the Y ready for the tournament.

I thought Johnson was average in goal. Made some good saves, allowed some goals he probably wishes he had back. I was anxious to see Fernandez play...don't know if the BYU defense was that good, or if Fernandez didn't play well.

As it's been all year, the BYU ride/lack of clearing was a huge key.

Wasn't Walker a d-middie at Herk CC? I don't think people expected him to lead the league in scoring...I think he's been every bit as good as advertised...face-offs, in transition and it gives BYU a physical presence in the midfield.

By the way...this has got to be BYU's best freshman class in years...Powers, Monteath, Cole and Lalor...anybody know if any of these guys have mission calls yet?

[the lax]

Certainly like Chris Powers as a d1 prospect. I think he'll keep the tradition of dominating RMLC goalies alive.