Week #9 - 4/6 through 4/12 - Predictions, Scores, News

[bste_lax]

GRLC.org reports:

Wheaton 13
Cornell 6

[Chris Larson]

Also got a brief text message, Iowa lost to Iowa State. No score was given ... Hopefully they can get a win next weekend to end the year as they are eliminated from playoff possibility.

UMLL.org reports Iowa State 11, Iowa 5

[BarefootLacrosse]

Did anybody see the MU-LU game or have comments on it?

[TheLoo]

It was a beautiful day for the game. Missouri seemed to catch LU flat footed early, but Lindenwood finally woke up and seized control of the game. Props to Missouri for bringing what had to be their best game ever.

[kschuh5]

The MU vs LU game was a very well played game. A lot of back and forth action. I don't remember one team really siezing control of the game, both teams went on runs but neither really held up. MU went up early in the 1st by 3 and LU was up by 3 early in the 4th, but comebacks negated both leads. Lindenwood played great defense and the MU goalie came up big. Great game. If Mizzou plays like that in the tournament they will pose a serious threat to both Illinios and Lindenwood ( and SMS, gotta represent).

[yourmom]

The one thing I really have to comment on about the LU - MU game was that what Mizzou brought on Sunday was not represenative of what they have been doing so far this year. They finally have come alive this season and decided to play.

I am just ready for the GRLC playoffs even though it is still weeks away. It should be a great weekend (especially since i can just about see the field from my house)

[bste_lax]

Per coach of Cornell (Bill Hazel):

NIU 11
Cornell 5

NIU went up 8-0 after first which saw them man up a bunch of it. Cornell played well rest of the way.

[Laxing22]

I would have to support kschuh in his statements about the game. It was a battle all the way up to the end. Mizzou was down three at one point in the 4th and cut it down to one with time winding down. Had a last shot at the end to tie it up, but lost possession. I would also say that officiating was subpar in this contest. Seized control? Were you watching the same game? I would expect MU to play with that same fire the rest of the year being that these conference games coming up are do or die. The younger guys are looking more comfortable on the field as well. Should be some exciting games come playoff time.

[mizzou dad]

It was stated Mizzou played its best game "ever" It was good action packed game but ---------------

------- "best" need to ask some alums about that

[pstirling]

Here are my thoughts on the game (take personal bias into account, as I am a Mizzou alum)
First off, it was an incredibly exciting, hard fought game in a great atmosphere. It looked like a very crisp game, but that might be because I'm used to watching high school lacrosse.
I thought Justin Combs had a very good game, but I was expecting that. I was very impressed with the game Jimmy Lange had, he came up with some very big goals. I thought the goal by the d-pole (sorry, not sure who that was) was huge.
Mizzou came out fired up and kept the intensity the entire game, as I'm almost positive they won the ground ball battle. I think they have a lot of very promising freshmen who are finally starting to get comfortable and realize they can play at the college level. Mark Wolf, a freshman with basically only 1 year of high school experience before this year will be a monster in the GRLC for a long time. He is a match up problem for any d-middie with his size and speed and incredible shot from the outside. Brad Brown, Chris Wolf, Matt Schaller and Doug Mayer also looked very good.

I thought the GRLC was a one-horse race for much of the year, but with one-goal wins over Illinois and Mizzou, it might be a much closer division than once thought. I think Lindenwood is still the class of the GRLC, but I would be a lot less surprised with an upset after this weekend. I don't think you can fake stick skills throughout an entire game, and it seemed that Illinois and Mizzou can hang with Lindenwood in that department. I'm also very intrigued to see where Wash U. fits into the equation as they have yet to play Illinois, Mizzou, and Lindenwood.

I think it will be very interesting to see the all-GRLC team, because if you went by stats alone, you would probably just put Lindenwood's starting lineup out there, but I think those stats are a little skewed because when a team scores 20-26 goals in many games, every goal after the 4th should be assisted which sends point totals through the roof. I think Justin Combs, and Jim Lange, et al, are very deserving of the accolades they will receive, but there are clearly many great players throughout the league.

I don't mean any disrespect to Lindenwood with this post, as I'm very impressed with how far the team has come in a few years, and Coach Hood and Silva are doing an incredible job, and I'll be rooting for them in nationals should they make it.

I'll get off my soapbox now, but I'd say if it was either team's "best game ever", it would be Lindenwood's with their brief history.

[Troy Hood]

Pete:

I'm intrigued with your observations in your post. I wish I could stand on the sidelines and sit in the stands at once. But, that's impossible.

First, on Missouri. I've already posted the game report on GRLC.ORG. I'm very impressed with Mark Wolf. He fills a much needed hole at midfield due to graduation. I also find it ironic that he wears Cole Dimond's number. Cole was a totally different player, very skill and finesse oriented. Mark is just a beast. He's only going to get better. I would compare him to Andrew Kohl at Illinois quite favorably. I am concerned with the fact that I will have to account for both of them for the next three seasons past this one.

Second, I knew Missouri would be a game. Throw records out the window when it comes to conference play. Everything is important; everything means more than the result. We all know each other too well. After the game, Coach Hawkins shook my hand, smiled ear to ear, and said, "let's do this again!!". I totally agree, Coach. Let's do it again.

Third, I received very positive feedback from all of the fans in attendance. If we are to grow our game in the GRLC to the level of those of our counterparts out west, then have crowds like that can only help. The exposure is just phenomenal. Let's keep the rivalry alive! It can only help the entire GRLC. The same goes for the Border War with Kansas. Keep that alive!

Lastly, I thank you for your kind words about it being our best game in our brief history. However, as an optimist, I'd like to think that we've yet to play our best. I believe Coach Hawkins would agree when speaking of his own team.

I wish the best to all GRLC teams coming down the stretch. Co-hosting the GRLC tournament with Washington U is going to be special for both schools. I am hoping for a grand finale similar to our game Sunday; no matter who plays in the title game. This conference is getting better and stronger. I am very pleased to see that.

Regards,

[pstirling]

Whoever represents the GRLC at nationals will definitely be battle-tested, and I hope will suprise a lot of folks around the country. I just hope I don't get too bogged down with this high school coaching gig to be able to see the GRLC playoffs.

[Sprout]

I think it will be very interesting to see the all-GRLC team, because if you went by stats alone, you would probably just put Lindenwood's starting lineup out there, but I think those stats are a little skewed because when a team scores 20-26 goals in many games, every goal after the 4th should be assisted which sends point totals through the roof.

Skewed or not, just wanted to state that Alden Lury, (Attack, Wash U) is actually leading the conference with 7 PPG. Combs (Lindenwood) is next at 6.92 PPG. Then Nick Brown (Wash U) with 5.8 PPG. [for all stats I averaged the GRLC stats, where Combs is listed as playing 12 games, but on USLIA he is listed playing 14...if thats the case, than swap him and Brown with 5.71 PPG]

Granted the Lindenwood guys have done this consistently over 14 games and have more stats (so on GRLC they are listed first, where it goes by goals scored...) and the Wash U players will have to prove their worthiness in the rest of their games (which are huge ones against Illinois, Mizzou and Lindenwood) look on the USLIA stats page, where they go by PPG, and you see that four players from both teams make the top ten, with Wash U having 3 in the top 5.

These next two weeks will definitely define where Wash U stands, so I dont want to start a huge debate right now...just wanted to point out the amazing seasons that Lury and Brown (a freshman) are having. For whatever this stat is worth, (I think a lot) Lury is leading the entire USL-MDIA according to USLIA.com.

[pstirling]

I should probably defer to a Lindenwood affiliate, but I'm pretty sure Combs missed the first two games vs. Harding and Rhodes. I'm very intrigued to see Wash U. as I know they've had plenty of injuries to deal with, but they are still putting up some big stats.

[lionlax22]

Combs has only played 12 games. He sat out the first two games of the season against two B teams, so if he would have played I'm sure his stats would be even higher. USLIA.com does not alter the amount of games played if someone missed them. GRLC.org has the correct numbers.