Big Games Today! #2 Sonoma v #3 BYU and #4 UCSB v #7 Arizona

[CATLAX MAN]

In the 4th quarter at the Pit, Bluevelvet reporting:

UCSB - 9

Arizona - 5

Goal by Luke Shaw from Nick Schooler. 4:30 left in the game.

[onpoint]

CSU, SSU, BYU, & UCSB will be 1-4 in the last poll, but in what order is anyone's guess, since these teams will probably have to face off in each conference playoff.

I'd imagine that one conference would be #1 and one would be #2, which would be nice so that the teams wouldn't have to meet in the semis again if it came to that . . .

[CATLAX MAN]

Sonoma's penchant for close games continues. One can only think playing against CSU and NDNU tough will be good for them towards the end of this game.

Also UCSB's penchant for taking the foot off the accelerator in games that they have command of is not a good trait for them.

[CATLAX MAN]

Final from Rohnert Park, DG reporting,

BYU - 7

SSU - 8

[onpoint]

Agreed. They don't seem to have played a full 60 minute game with good emotion maybe excepting the CSU one, which by all accounts was pretty emotion-filled throughout.

[Has No Left]

SSU 8, BYU 7 Final

[onpoint]

. . . waiting to see if my 9-5 prediction in Picks on Point will hold up . . .

[CATLAX MAN]

Final from the Pit, Bluevelvet reporting:

UCSB - 10

Arizona - 6

AZ scored a behind-the-back goal late in the game. Lots of chippy play at the end. The freshman for AZ who scored the last goal apparently tried to shake hands with the UCSB defenseman right after scoring which did not garner a lot of positive response. Rookies.

[onpoint]

Thanks for the updates, Bluevelvet, DG and CATLAX MAN. Now it's off to watch the DI hockey finals and my two favorite teams: North Dakota vs. Denver. Good wins for the Seawolves and Gauchos.

[CATLAX MAN]

It's interesting to note that BYU has played virtually all of their games at home this year. Wonder how that will affect them when they get to the tourney, as it is always much harder to win on the road.

[CATLAX MAN]

Here's the great thing about lacrosse. After fighting hard in a game where tempers were raised a little, the UCSB team and parents provide a huge spread for both teams to enjoy after the game. All hard feelings that were generated are totally forgotten when the final horn sounds. Gotta love the lax community!

[byualum]

...two favorite teams: North Dakota vs. Denver.

That's like saying the Broncos and Raiders are your two favorites...or the Yankees and Red Sox...or BYU and CSU...

[3rdPersonPlural]

UCSB is a 5 minute drive from my home. A few first hand notes from the game....

SB did indeed get sloppy after halftime. 'zona scored a three man down goal in the fourth, as an example.

SB owned the game because of their long poles. the UA attack gave up trying to penetrate after the first couple of possessions, and contented themselves with throwing the ball back to the middies with hopes that they could do something.

SB runs the most devilish ride I've ever seen.

The post game spread was to honor the seniors at the last home game. It capped off my game-long impression that UCSB ain't anything like the team I played against while at UCLA in the early '80's. Back then there were no parents to be found and the de rigeur postgame refreshment was a keg. Ah, alas, those were the days....

[CATLAX MAN]

The post game spread was to honor the seniors at the last home game.

It was actually meant to repay the hospitality shown by the AZ parents last year when UCSB visted their facilities. The fact that it was also "Senior Day" was a side bonus.

[DG]

CSU, SSU, BYU, & UCSB will be 1-4 in the last poll, but in what order is anyone's guess, since these teams will probably have to face off in each conference playoff.

I'd imagine that one conference would be #1 and one would be #2, which would be nice so that the teams wouldn't have to meet in the semis again if it came to that . . .

It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but don't count Michigan out of anything. Even if they win their conference tourney, it will be tough for Michigan to get above #5. That said, if one of the top 4 stumbles in their conference tourney, Michigan could move up to 4 or 3.

IMO, being a 1, 2 or 3 is a significant advantage this year.

DG