PNCLL Week #1 (2/2-2/8) -- Predictions, Scores & Discuss

[Dan Wishengrad]

This is the weekly thread to discuss PNCLL games, offer predictions, report scores and game highlights, and for post-game analyses. Our weeks run Wednesday through Tuesday throughout the season.

Saturday, April 5
#15 Simon Fraser 10 #6B Pacific Lutheran 2
#9B Western Washington 12 Central Washington 7

Kicking off the season is an inter-conference dandy, played up in B.C. on the decaying old carpet of Coquitlam Town Center (bad weather has delayed completion of the Clansmen's new field on campus).

The Lutes are pumped for their first season in the B Division and are thinking they'll be spending time in Blaine in May. Head Coach Greg "Bubba" Gutherless has a solid defense in front of star Goalie Brett Bartell, and an improving offense featuring Chris Jensen and Josu Zubizaretta on Attack and Matt Kennedy at Midfield.

Brent Hoskins takes over as Head Coach at SFU, and has young guns Mike Christian, Justin Norbraten and Kelly Gares to lead an always lethal offense, while long-poles Anthio Yuen and Nate Hoskins front Freshman Goalie Arlen Chudley, who becomes just the third opening-day starter for the Clansmen after Ty Willushaw (1997-2000) and Matt Johnson (2001-2004).


Sorry all! I have only just tonight become aware that there had been a game added to the schedule! Many apologies!!!!! Tonight, under the lights, up north in Bellingham where it may well have been snowing -- Central Washington at ninth-ranked ranked Western Washington.

[Basquelax]

Just to add to the nice comments posted by Dan...at PLU, we are more than just a couple of individuals. Get ready for a PLU "team" this year instead of a few strong individuals.

[Kyle Berggren]

We were a team when I played there... I hope Bubba hasn't been telling any fibs!!!

[JustLAX]

I seem to remeber someone sitting in a camping chair alot during practice while we ran.......... maybe your memory is slipping in your old age grandpa.

[primetime21]

both teams have a lot to prove after what was more than a down year for both teams. PLU missing the playoffs and SFU going down twice to the ducks makes this season opener an eye catcher.... both teams should be ready and a lot should come out of this game.

[Timbalaned]

I'm just excited for games to start, I am tired of playing my own team...

[Dan Wishengrad]

Simon Fraser 10 Pacific Lutheran 2

[ben012685]

Congrats to the Clansmen. Thanks for a great game.

I think this game was exactly what PLU needed: a test by fire against a respected team.

It would be hard to say that PLU didn't play our physical game with a lot of intensity. We had a great display of patience, intelligence, and tenacity by Bartell and the longsticks all around. Hopefully it builds up with some fine tuning next week. After today, it could be a very realistic goal of ours thats scores stay under ten for the large majority of the season.

Hats off to the SFU goalie for making some great saves.

[Timbalaned]

Was the SFU defense and goalie that dominating or was it just the first game and PLU's offense not clicking on all cylinders yet?

[Dan Wishengrad]

This game was added to the schedule late and not posted to pncll.com until after I started this thread. Sorry all...

A posting by a player, coach, alumni, parent or fan of the CWU Wildcats or the WWU Vikings would be most appreciated -- even if just to give us the final score.

[Tim Whitehead]

Can't claim to be 100% accurate on the score, but I was told by someone who was there that Western beat Central 13-6.

[Tim Whitehead]

Wow, how was that for timing?

[Dan Wishengrad]

Thanks for being on the ball, Tim, and for continuing your interest in the PNCLL all these years.

It's 34 degrees Farenheit here in Seattle with a stinging drizzle (and some hail), and it's usually at least a couple degrees colder up north in B'ham and where you are TW. Wonder if they had to break out an orange "snow" ball?

[Tim Whitehead]

Actually I was out at the SFU/PLU game and while it was a bit chilly, it was a bright, sunny day. No snow balls needed...

[Flanders]

In response to the question about Simon Fraser's defense: SFU's defense was good and their goalie performed well. In all fairness they are a solid unit - to say any different just wouldn't be true. They are quick, persistant and aggressive. In defense of the Lute's offense, they just had a difficult day. Not only because of the defense, but becuase of a lack of equilibrium - they didn't always seem to be on the same page. Chalk it up to a good defense, some first game nerves, a different offensive look this season and you get a two goal performance. They just didn't make the simple plays that a team needs to make in order to win. I don't expect this to be a trend that continues. Overall, from the Lutes' perspective, it could have been a closer game, but wasn't.