How are teams shaping up?

[Kyle Berggren]

I didn't get to watch the UW v WWU game, but I did get to watch both teams play individually. Dan is right, they are very, very young. I did see a ton of talent in their freshman. They tied a Men's B team that finished 12-2 last season (off the top of my head), and played against an experienced WWU team that was lucky enough to get new players to fill their holes very well. WWU added a goalie that played extremely well all tournament, 2 d-poles came from the bench to fill the holes lost to graduation/tranfer and know the system, a lsm from East side hs that absolutely dominated every game he played (including the games against men's A teams, and was probably 12/12 on faces that he took through the tournament).... Add even more offense with a few hs players that traveled the country with Mercer Island, some speed, and hustle, most teams will have a hard time with WWU. UW didn't exactly have these luxuries (rookies playing with returners on every line).

This is only the Fall, WWU is going to get better. UW will most likely improve much more quickly than WWU because of how young their team is. Neither of these teams are quite in the same position as Oregon. UW is completely rebuilding, and has a large chunk of talent in there, but needs to establish new leaders on/off the field and teach them the new system. WWU still has its leaders throughout the field. Now they added a Goalie that can play with the best of them (I've never seen more accurate outlet passes (maybe Cordova although he is better in the open field)), a dominant lsm, and quite a bit more firepower. It's as simple as getting their experienced rookies into positions to help the team, and their offense allowed that, no problem.

We played WWU in 2 games last season, with a total of 5 overtimes, so I'd like to think I have a decent idea of how good they were. After watching them play this Fall, they have greatly improved, and last season they were among the PNCLL B's best. We'd thought they gained a goalie, lost some poles, and were questioning how much firepower they'd have on offense... Well, they gained a goalie, aren't hurting in the slightest on d, replaced Bonoff with another LSM that seems just as good bust faster, and added more firepower. They are a team to beat if you want a trip to Nationals, and a team for any other conference that wants to measure up to the PNCLL's B's best. WWU was among the top 5 of the PNCLL's best last season, and have made great strides to get to the top of that list. The B should be much more competetive this year. PLU, Montana, WWU, & UPS have all improved (not sure about LU, WC or any others for that matter), it will be a question of who has improved the most.

[Basquelax]

Hey Kyle how did PLU look? Studying abroad here I´m kind of curious as to how they played (esp. the offense). I just played in an Amsterdam tournament and played against a Whitman grad living in or playing for Ireland. He knew Jeff Carroll and a couple other PLU guys do you know who he is? Thanks for outlook! Josu Zubizarreta

[Kyle Berggren]

I have no idea who that would be, but if he knew Jeff, I'm sure I played against him.

PLU showed that they also have a ton of talented freshmen coming in this season. Their attack should be improved over last season with the addition of a freshman, their defense will obviously be strong as nothing really changed, but quite a few people were missing. I know those people, and they will make the defense better, and the offense stronger.

The biggest improvement will be in the depth at middie. PLU will have more speed this season, and better stick handlers through the midfield. Ben has continued to improve in cage, and PLU also looks very good this season. It will be interesting to see how the offense comes together this year, as they have a new offensive coach now that Jason is gone.

I didn't watch PLU too much, in part because I was playing, and because I see there kids play at indoor every Friday. I did play against them, and I will say it was fun. Their defense is still aggressive, they fight for ground balls, and seem to be in great playing shape already this Fall. They could easily be a better team this season than last.

[Scrape Mode]

Character counts -- at least for some of us.

I would have to agree, character does count for something. In our society, individuality and self-promotion are two values that we live by. Athletes are special in the sense that they are able to express their character(s) in the spot light, where others are watching. When given the opportunity, [/quote]at least some of us[/quote] will take advantage of the chance to separate ourselves from the crowd.
A TEAM is a bunch of individuals molded together to achieve one goal. It is important that a team stays unified and builds character as a whole, but it is equally as important that the individual within the group maintains his uniqueness and expresses himself when the opportunity presents itself.

[Scrape Mode]

For those in need of a history lesson.

Blah Blah Blah. There's only one history of the PNCLL, and that is Simon Frasier! ....and that is history!

[TajMahalLAX]

anyone else sick of hearing every excuse in the bag for teams that are losing? i am. how long are teams going to rebuild before the can actually compete?

[Kyle Berggren]

I think I've grown a little more sick of people that would rather rip on another team than post something constructive.

There are reasons that things happen in games. The title of this thread was how are thing shaping up. If someone wonders how a B team could beat an A team, I gave an unbiased opinion. If you don't want to see how a team is shaping up this year, don't read the thread. Keep it constructive or don't bother, and that goes for everyone. This is essentially the first thread of the year, lets try to keep it on topic and not bash each other.

[Timbalaned]

Julian is a big boy and can say what he wants, but he doesn't represent our whole team or our coaches. He is one individual entitled to his opinion.

[PNWLaxer]

It is clear at least in my mind after watching Oregon play both at home and on the road in and out of the PNCLL that Josh and Joe have played a vital part in improving the product on the field but they have also contributed to the attitude that the Oregon team carries with them. Both coaches attitudes towards other players, coaches, referees and the like have obviously filtered down to the players and that is represented by the players actions on and off the field. How can you say Josh and Joe should not be brought into this when they are the ones that are supposed to have control of the players. I realize that the players are University students are "adults" but the coaches should have the respect of the players to promote a positive outlook and sportsmanship throughout the PNCLL and USMDIA from the top of the roster to the bottom. If they choose to not address the issue or promote the Oregon attitude then they are a part of it.

[WouMiddie]

you know i dont really know much about this whole situation but it seems to me that the oregon players do this to get a rise out of all the guys who frequent this forum. i know im just some scrub from a small b division school but i personally have found that the best way to shut up someone who talks trash is to beat them on the field, and that is the one thing u of o keeps doing, winning. why get so offended, they just keep saying it, let it go. o and in case anyone was wondering wou is shaping up nicely, we have twice as many players as last year and a pretty good crop of guys who played for solid high school programs. we also have all the key players back from last years team and are eager to prove that last year was no fluke. on a different note we are having problems getting our out of conference games scheduled. i know its difficult to do this because no teams know there actual schedule at this time but if anyone is interested in playing us this season you can contact me, Nyc Hayden at my email nyclepickel@aol.com.

[Kyle Berggren]

Dan, please take care of this thread some how, I'm swamped and out of town right now and don't have the time or the patience for it.

For those of you that think the thread has gone to far, thanks, we see eye to eye. If you also think its your point to criticize the Oregon players or team, take a look in the mirror. If someone doesn't use their name on the forum, try to keep their real name out of it.

[teslax14]

Who are you Just Re-LAXIN? You pointed out in one of your previous posts that you are a University of Oregon alumni. If that is true, then why are you bashing on the two coaches that have taken this Oregon team from one of the worst, if not the worst team in the PNCLL, to the top?

Trevor Tesar #14

[Dan Wishengrad]

Sorry all it's been a long day, just got home from work then practice from 8-10. I've deleted one post that was in violation of this Message Board's policy and a follow-up post that made no sense on it's own without the one it was replying to.

Folks let's remember not to attack any player, coach or team and to keep posts within the bounds of good taste.

I am not going to lock the topic because many of us would actually like to read posts about the many PNCLL teams that have not been profiled yet here... anybody else want to offer a pre-season glimpse of how your team is shaping up this fall?

[JustLAX]

PLU did well in the Giants Oktoberfest tourney. We were a little shaky in the first game against UW, but did better and lost a sort of close one to Giants then beat Tentawan (spelling?) . On the second day we lost to Coopers is a good game. We were missing alot of people for the second day due to injury or being gone. PLU has some really talented freshmen this year adding 2 freshmen who played in highschool and one Grad student, and the addition of a new offensive coordinator to help out bubba in the coaching department.

[Hi-Line Lax]

Montana has been practicing for a few months now and we are finally starting to have a clear picture of who will be playing for us this Spring. We lost no players to graduation last year, but there will be a few that are not returning (Joe English at defense is really the only significant one). As for new faces...I for one am very happy to be back on the field and have put down that coaches shortie and picked up my long pole again. We have also added some good firepower at attack. Zander Ault (transfer from Dickenson) and Will Freihofer (Hanover HS) will be joining Townsend this year and I'm expecting good things from all of them. Our middies got a little deeper, but they were definatly the chunk of our returners. This weekend at the Gem State Invitational will be a good early test for our team (so far this fall we have only been able to play two matches against Montana State) and we're looking forward to the competition. Good luck to everybody in the PNCLL this year, it sounds like it's shaping up to be another sucessful season.

P.S. Any word on schedules???