Top 25 D2 Results for Poll #6

[BucLax13]

. So if Dayton wins by alot then Dayton stays higher then elon if emory blows dayton out then elon should be ahead

I guess your right on that GVLax

[Gvlax]

the ranked teams they beat are questionable

I don't know man... I know UNCC (played St. T to overtime), SCAD, Elon and Emory (played St. T close) are all very good teams... Elon got on top of the heap with the final win... They are the only team with 5 top 25 wins as of now (3 in three days)

that sucks... it doesn't mean they would have won the game though... but they have a great opportunity to really shake things up playing dayton... and griping isn't going to get them any more prepared...I think dayton should be on notice about how fired this team is going coming out to play... talk about a game I would like to see.. good luck guys

they are not griping, i am. I hate to see things happen like this.

[Laxer19]

It is tough to play the "this team beat this team by this much" game, especially this year. Although only dropping one game, by one goal, UST many teams have played UST to a close game (4 including their loss). Does that mean that because Charlotte played them to an 11-10 game, that Charlotte should be ranked ahead of Dayton, who got blown out, as UST put up 18 goals with a 9 goal differential?

Gvlax: "Being devils advocate i would say for a team who is trying to be the best in the country, losing big to the number 2 (lost by 5) and 3 (Lost by 9) teams should put them behind emory since they only lost by 1 and only allowed UST to score 4 goals total... that is one defensive game."

Gv makes a good point, but on the other hand, it is hard for a Dayton team trying to be the best in the nation (currently 3) losing to UST (currently 2) by 9 goals.

IMHO, other than Westminster there have been no teams in the top 8 that have proven themselves head and shoulders above everyone else. Should be a fun playoff run to watch

[Gvlax]

IMHO, other than Westminster there have been no teams in the top 8 that have proven themselves head and shoulders above everyone else. Should be a fun playoff run to watch

I always wanted to say this but its funny how people are pointing out how this teams SOS is weak and blah blah blah. But look at westminster. Yes they held SFU and only lose by one goal but looking at their D2 rank, who they should be competing with, they have one Top 25 game besides a conference game. They played Southwestern and only won by 4 and that is a number 18 team.

Im not saying westminster doesnt deserve the number 1 seed. im saying this because 1) we all love to rip each others SOS apart 2) westminster has not done anything to lose that spot 3) their SOS seems to be about the same with most top 10 teams

I would have loved to seen Westminster line up a SJU or UST team in the regular season but i guess they wanted to wait till the NC.

[scooter]

IMHO, other than Westminster there have been no teams in the top 8 that have proven themselves head and shoulders above everyone else. Should be a fun playoff run to watch

I tend to disagree here on many a couple levels.

1. Westminster has done nothing to prove they are head and shoulders above anyone.

2. GVSU (a team ranked in the top 5) who have easily put up the same, if not better resume than Westminster. They are currently 1 of 3 teams undefeated in MCLA play, the others being #1, and #2 in D1.

In my opinion, GVSU is the #1 team in the country. Granted I have not seen Westminster play, but the idea that an undefeated team is not even top 2 this late in the season is beyond me.

[Laxer19]

You two do make good points. Typically the undefeated team is number 1. There has been the constant debate in the D-II level about lack of strong out of conference games. Fort being the only current top ten team Westminster has played, winning by 7.

I was speaking to the fact that they have played close with three (currently two) top 25 teams in D-I. Although, they did not pull out any wins.

However, GVSU has only one win against any top ten team, beating UST by one goal. And correct me if I am wrong, but the UST game is the only top 25 team they have played from any division, making it hard to argue that they have "easily put up the same if not better resume than Westminster."

Not that GVSU is not a contender for the national title, but like Westminster, has not played a strong D-II schedule, and has really only been tested in one game this season.

[nhoskins]

Yes they held SFU and only lose by one goal but looking at their D2 rank, who they should be competing with, they have one Top 25 game besides a conference game.

It was SFU's first game of the season... that being said, Westminster was one goal away from being in the NC game last year. They were the second best team to Montana, and with Montana gone, they're the best team until someone beats them.

[Gvlax]

Yes they held SFU and only lose by one goal but looking at their D2 rank, who they should be competing with, they have one Top 25 game besides a conference game.

It was SFU's first game of the season... that being said, Westminster was one goal away from being in the NC game last year. They were the second best team to Montana, and with Montana gone, they're the best team until someone beats them.

thats true but as voters its who is the best now, not last year correct. I know that with MCLA and most teams not having money to travel all over the country to play top quality teams that it is hard for voters to compare all the teams by who they played. When teams have the budget to all play eachother throughout the season, then it will get much easier for voters to really decide who is number 1.

[Gvlax]

You two do make good points. Typically the undefeated team is number 1. There has been the constant debate in the D-II level about lack of strong out of conference games. Fort being the only current top ten team Westminster has played, winning by 7.

I was speaking to the fact that they have played close with three (currently two) top 25 teams in D-I. Although, they did not pull out any wins.

However, GVSU has only one win against any top ten team, beating UST by one goal. And correct me if I am wrong, but the UST game is the only top 25 team they have played from any division, making it hard to argue that they have "easily put up the same if not better resume than Westminster."

Not that GVSU is not a contender for the national title, but like Westminster, has not played a strong D-II schedule, and has really only been tested in one game this season.

Check out the scores of Westminster's games. They havent been challenged in the D2 this year either besides #18 Southwestern that only won by 4 goals. So if you look at GVSU's "one" challenge was against #3 who beat two other ranked teams up till then and won by 1 goal then look at Westminster's 1 challenge to compare.

I am not soliciting votes for 1st place but rather trying to open the minds of critics of the latest poll and the teams who have weak schedules. It is hard for me to give credit to teams who play ranked teams in their conference but didnt pursue outside top 25 teams as much when they are trying to prove that they deserve a trip to nationals at the top spot.

[MF]

IMHO, other than Westminster there have been no teams in the top 8 that have proven themselves head and shoulders above everyone else. Should be a fun playoff run to watch

I tend to disagree here on many a couple levels.

1. Westminster has done nothing to prove they are head and shoulders above anyone.

I think a 11-12 loss to Simon Fraser was pretty good. They are the 5th ranked team in D1? I do agree other than that their win over Fort Lewis is all that sticks out.

[The_Buddha_Man]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if there are no clearly define rules on how to determine SOS, doesn't a team's SOS then become subjective? I don't believe the MCLA has rules/ guidelines on SOS. You can only find it on LaxPower, and wow, that's a reliable site...

SOS should be taken into consideration, but there should be some caveats. For teams like Creighton, GVSU, those in the PCLL, you might be a powerhouse in that league, but with very little equal or better talent in a geographically close location, it gets hard to validate your success. Especially at the D2 level where the teams and budgets are fractional compared to larger, more successful D1 programs. The geographical limitations hinder your ability to increase your SOS. I think many people in the larger metro areas don't realize that or find it hard to believe, but it is true. Just some things to ponder.

[Gvlax]

SOS should be taken into consideration, but there should be some caveats. For teams like Creighton, GVSU, those in the PCLL, you might be a powerhouse in that league, but with very little equal or better talent in a geographically close location, it gets hard to validate your success.

that is why GVSU played and beat St. Thomas...

[MF]

SOS should be taken into consideration, but there should be some caveats. For teams like Creighton, GVSU, those in the PCLL, you might be a powerhouse in that league, but with very little equal or better talent in a geographically close location, it gets hard to validate your success.

that is why GVSU played and beat St. Thomas...

Lets say that St Thomas won that game by 1? Where would GVSU be in the polls? That was their only chance to make a statement. Granted they did and props for that. Your entire season has to tell the story. Some conferences definitely benefit from in conference competition.

[Gvlax]

SOS should be taken into consideration, but there should be some caveats. For teams like Creighton, GVSU, those in the PCLL, you might be a powerhouse in that league, but with very little equal or better talent in a geographically close location, it gets hard to validate your success.

that is why GVSU played and beat St. Thomas...

Lets say that St Thomas won that game by 1. Where would GVSU be in the polls. That was their only chance to make a statment. Granted they did and props for that.

Well, good question. Every other team that held them but lost by one (Emory and Charlotte) are now or were ranked in the top 10. Charlotte lost to davidson so they dropped out. So i would say in the top 12, but they didnt lose and they are the only team to beat them this year. GVSU had a lead of 4 in the that game but played a sloppy 4th quarter and UST attack was able to do this wicked wrap around while being hit coming from x (might be worthy of a youtube post). GVSU scored 8 seconds into halftime after GVSU's FOS won the faceoff and made one pass to a sneaking Attack. Dont take GVSU's win vs UST as luck. When the season is over i'll post a highlight reel of that game on Youtube for sure.

[Hi-Line Lax]

just a couple of thoughts....

You all need to stop making excuses for lack of travel. I've been student-running one of the most remote teams in our league for 5 years and we still travel more than any team out there. We don't have a ton of money or school support, WE FUNDRAISE! Playing a tough schedule during the season is how you prepare for Nationals. Enough with the excuses.

GVSU can get hyped all they want this year (congrats by the way on a great season) but I remember going to Nationals for the first time and it is intimidating. I'd be shocked to see a team that hasn't been there before win it all.

I agree with Nathan on Westminster, they were 1 goal (actually 1 pipe) away from winning it all last year. With us gone, they are the team to beat, followed by those with the most tournament experience, IMO.

I also agree with some of the criticism about Westminny's schedule... but all it means is that they really don't want to be playing in D2. They will still be the best prepared for post-season.