2005 PNCLL Final Four (Report Scores/Discuss here)

[Dan Wishengrad]

Saturday, April 30th
10am #1B Montana vs #4B Whitman
10:30 #2B Linfield vs #3B Pacific Lutheran
2pm #1 Oregon vs #4 Gonzaga
2:30 #2 Washington vs #3 Simon Fraser

Sunday, May 1st
10am B Finals
2pm A Finals

Wow! No past league tourney has offered this quantity and quality of lacrosse. Seven Yank clubs go nation-hopping cross the border to join host SFU for some PNCLL playoff action, Canadian style.

Congrats to the eight playoff teams and good luck in Burnaby.

Congrats to Western Oregon for a great debut season, for coming in second and making the playoffs over established clubs like Lewis & Clark and Willamette. You guys have nothing to hang your heads over, you got beat by a nationally-ranked team with post-season experience. You got your taste now -- the Wolves will be better prepared to win a playoff game next season. Congrats to defending PNCLL B champ Puget Sound, you guys deserve a hand even though we know you're hurting and don't want to hear it. The Loggers have become a top-notch lacrosse program, in a remarkably short period of time. Chins up, UPS, you'll be back strong next season.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Not a huge deal, but I do believe that Linfield is the 2nd seed, and PLU is the 3rd seed. . .

[Dan Wishengrad]

Thanks, Jas.... correction made.

Guess it means PLU wears black instead of gold? By the way anybody notice how BYU always wears their midnight blue instead of white for home tv games?

[Laxfan23]

I don't know who will win really...but I can tell you what team I want to win.

I would really like Montana to take this thing. They came down to Albertson this year and were just the classiest bunch of guys. They recognized that we were a new team, but still respected things that we did well, giving us compliments and even hanging out with us after our game. They didn't have big heads about being a better, more well established team at all. Based purely on the quality of the individuals, I would like Montana to win it. Go Grizz!

[Kyle Berggren]

I haven't heard a single bad thing about the Griz. They were great team to play, and a very classy group of guys.... and I guess they're pretty good too!

[TheNino57]

Has anyone else noticed that the Montana guys ALWAYS have their shirts off?! Montana, what is up with that?! In Boise while we played ACI, you were all up on the hill suntanning and the same thing happened when you guys were out in Ellensburg.

But seriously, good luck to you- it's true that you are a classy group of guys and I think that everyone in the PNCLL would be proud to have your club represent us in Blaine should you take the league title this year.

[Ballaholic]

id like to thank all those posting such positive things about the Montana team. Its great to see our hard work not only paid off in winning but also gaining some respect from the league, now if only we could get refs to show up to our home games.

To ACI, we also had fun playing and hanging with ya, you were great hosts. Too bad you guys couldnt make it up to Missoula, it was really unfortunate that our refs were unable to make it.

about the not wearing t-shirts during post game stuff, your guess is as good as mine, but that day in Caldwell was too nice for shirts.

Our goal for the weekend is definitely to earn the spot in Blaine, so the league can be confident sending us to Nationals, but we still got to earn it by first getting by Whitman, a team we have struggled to put away. We have had to play them deep into the 4th both times. We are very excited for this weekend and we look foward to seeing all the teams in Canada.

[laxer818]

I agree with everyone who has commended the Montana guys for their classiness. They've always been a good bunch of guys and good players (except for the guy who fractured my back a few years ago!!!). Anyway, it should be a good game, and of course, I'll be rooting for Whitman to pull the upset.

Emil
Whitman '03

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Emil,
Are you planning on making the trip to Canada? I wish we could watch that Montana vs. Whitman rematch. . .but our game is being played simultaneously. Obviously Montana is the favorite, having won both regular season contests. . .But Coach Schmitz always seems to have an ace up his sleeve at playoff time. I think this one will be a great contest.

[laxer818]

Jason,

I wish I was, but unfortunately, work beckons....

I won't be surprised if Whitman pulls the upset, given the fact that they've played Montana close in both regular season games. The seniors on the team provide solid leadership, they have a couple of up-and-coming youngsters, and as you said, Schmitz has been known to have a couple of tricks up his sleeve.

It's great to see so many solid teams playing in the B-Division. The PNCLL's come a long way over the past several years with the emergence of Linfield, UPS, and Montana and the continued success of teams like PLU and Whitman.

Best of luck to you and your squad against Linfield.

Emil

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Thanks Emil. . .hopefully we'll see you in Victoria with the PNCLL Old Guys team. . .

[ZagGrad]

. . .hopefully we'll see you in Victoria with the PNCLL Old Guys team. . .

ouch.

[laxer818]

. . .hopefully we'll see you in Victoria with the PNCLL Old Guys team. . .

ouch.

Sad but true....

[Dan Wishengrad]

Wanted to give a final shout out about the PNCLL banquet and awards presentation tomorrow night at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam. Reservations need to be made with Marilyn Hoskins today, see:

http://www.pncll.com

The playoff information link is in red on the home page with Marilyn's phone number and e-mail.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Yes, Chris. . .you're not James Derrickson or Jason Stockton old. . .but yes, you are officially an old man now.