What up with CU?

[Timbalaned]

They already had a small schedule with only 9 MCLA games (1 other with CC) but now they just dropped their game with FSU to make it only 8. Granted all their games are against top competition and they will get at least one more with their playoffs against a quality opponent, but this seems like one of the smallest schedules by a contender in awhile. Anyone have any reasons?

[Duffy34]

Seems very odd for them since the last few years they took trips all over the place and used to go to texas every start of the year for a "big 12" tourney. They also are returning only a few players from last year and a lot of their guys that contributed last season are either on another team (chapman) or not playing. They have been very quite but did get some good transfers and freshman, they should be competitive. Though it cant be bad having your only away games being at CSU (Invesco at Mile high) and the conference thourney in utah. One bus trip isnt that bad...

[Hi-Line Lax]

but bus rides are so fun!

I too was surprised to check their schedule and see essentially no travel, then funding be the reason they cancelled their trip... that's a big team budget setback from a year ago.

[MountaineerLax]

What did you expect to see?

I think these guys are in a rebuilding phase - making it to the show would be nice - but they're not going to kill themselves to get there. Play a little lax, get to know each other, re-establish the culture, and then make a run next year (though they'll be owing a lot of home games down the road).

It's still possible for them to play a strong 8 games to close the season, and make it to nationals - more for the exposure - and here's to cheering that on!

[Madlaxer07]

Is that last post for real? The #1 hardest schedule in the country, and there just "playing a little lax". For those of you who have'nt got the chance to see CU play they are legit. It is a completely new look this year, and yes they are a very young team, but they are well coached and very disciplined. They are also very deep at essentially every position. So what that they are playing less than 10 regular season games. Every single one is verse a top 25 team. What is a win really mean if its verse Utah state, or Mines? CU was dominating Oregon for the majority of the game last night until a white out snow storm hit in the 3rd quarter. Not bad for a rebuilding year. This team is unlike any CU team I have seen in the last 5 years. There is no all-star on the team, and they play and work just as that "a team" ! I cant wait to see what they do against all this competition, and if this group matures as much as it should by the end of the year I would keep an eye on them come tourney time.

[MountaineerLax]

I wasn't trying to take anything away from CU. I was just saying, with a completely new look this year, CU is aiming for dominance down the road, not necessarily immediate.

I too was in attendance for the CU v. Oregon game (in fact, I taped it - as soon as I figure it out the details of Adobe Premier Pro, i'll do something with it).

The snow was constant throughout the game. During half-time it let up a bit, but then started up again heavy in the 3rd. Refs were taking extra time to shovel the lines and the crease was almost impossible to see. I was freezing the entire 2 hours.

My impressions from the game:

Speed and groundballs killed CU.

CU's faceoff guy was tough to beat.

The speed of the Oregon midfield was far more impressive.

The Oregon attack came in close on several of their goals, and charged the crease with authority.

The Oregon team has a tremendous amount of discipline and patience, as does CU.

CU had some of the best "around the horn" passing i've ever seen - especially in that weather.

Oregon was allowed to ISO effectively for most of the game.

Oregon's bench was much more "alive" during the game, chanting for their man-down and defensive situations. And it worked!

The CU defense has great stick-handling abilities.

CU goalie's scoring a goal (3rd of the game I believe) at the midfield line was interesting.

[MountaineerLax]

MadLaxer - you keeping your eye on this?

Just 3 games to go for CU. Arizona, Michigan, CSU.

If they lose more than 1 of those games, is it still possible for them to make it to the tourny?

I cant wait to see what they do against all this competition, and if this group matures as much as it should by the end of the year I would keep an eye on them come tourney time.

[DG]

MadLaxer - you keeping your eye on this?

Just 3 games to go for CU. Arizona, Michigan, CSU.

If they lose more than 1 of those games, is it still possible for them to make it to the tourny?

CU must win against Arizona. If they were to beat Michigan, then their chances are much better, but even then they aren't guaranteed a spot. They still have CSU as well as the RMLC tournament. Winning the RMLC, despite the fact that there is no AQ, would probably mean that they would be in.

DG

[MountaineerLax]

No AQ? Aren't all the conferences still getting an AQ?

Maybe i'm behind the times on that "little detail".

[Tim Gray]

No AQ? Aren't all the conferences still getting an AQ?

Maybe i'm behind the times on that "little detail".

The RMLC hasn't had a AQ for as long as I can remember. You need a minimum of 6 teams for that. The most I remember them having is 5.

[MountaineerLax]

Oh yea... forgot about that.

Egg on my face.

[Madlaxer07]

oh dont worry mountaineer .. im keeping an eye on it. BYU was a definite set back. The team could do little right, clearing and doing simple fundamental things killed them. Good win against a AU team today, but in no way is that going to hold much water come tourney time. THey have a tough challenge ahead of them with the next two games. I think this CSU game is shaping up to be a good one. Both teams are young and unpredictable. Michigan will be another challenge, I was at nationals last year, and Michigan gave CU alot of trouble, but then again it was a meaningless game, and both teams have a completely new look. I will be at the next two games and after the BYU then the Arizona game Im interested to see which team will show up, the young timid team, or the controlled aggressive team that they have sometimes shown.

[NYBuilt]

Seems very odd for them since the last few years they took trips all over the place and used to go to texas every start of the year for a "big 12" tourney. They also are returning only a few players from last year and a lot of their guys that contributed last season are either on another team (chapman) or not playing. They have been very quite but did get some good transfers and freshman, they should be competitive. Though it cant be bad having your only away games being at CSU (Invesco at Mile high) and the conference thourney in utah. One bus trip isnt that bad...

I'd stop coming to texas if it meant losing to A&M and beating texas by an overtime goal. nothing to win and everything to lose.

[Duffy34]

Seems very odd for them since the last few years they took trips all over the place and used to go to texas every start of the year for a "big 12" tourney. They also are returning only a few players from last year and a lot of their guys that contributed last season are either on another team (chapman) or not playing. They have been very quite but did get some good transfers and freshman, they should be competitive. Though it cant be bad having your only away games being at CSU (Invesco at Mile high) and the conference thourney in utah. One bus trip isnt that bad...

I'd stop coming to texas if it meant losing to A&M and beating texas by an overtime goal. nothing to win and everything to lose.

Totally agree with you. It will be interesting to see how they do the next two games. Having so few games will hurt them this year, bad idea from the coach...they should have played at least 3-4 more games. They looked OK vs AZ but AZ is not all that hot this year so who knows