How are teams shaping up?

[PNWLaxer]

Word has it that the schedule is being rewritten from scratch. Apparently one team was not happy with the original draft. Travel partners or buddies seems like a logical way to go. The A div can be split as follows UW and SFU, OSU and OU, GU BSU and UI. Not sure how three games in a weekend is going to work but I am sure the exec will figure that one out. B div is a little more complicated with travel for the B South especially and with the crossover games that will count for div standings.

With the unpredictability of many teams making the schedules as even as possible may serve as the biggest challenge. Throwing an idea out there maybe look at NFL where teams play a 1st place schedule depending on where they finished the year before. This may be difficult again with travel issues though as many teams do not have huge budgets. Most teams that finish high will remain strong for at least a year and those rebuilding will take a year to regain strength.

[muchachojones]

Is the October 24th date still when the schedule is expected to be done or is it not going to be out for a while because of the forementioned revision. Does anyone know? Thanks.

[Dan Wishengrad]

The schedule was just released by PNCLL Secretary Marilyn Hoskins in an e-mail to all the official contacts for each league member team. It should be posted to PNCLL.com within a couple days.

[Hi-Line Lax]

Gem State Invitational update...BSU wins 8-3 vs. Montana State and wins 10-5 vs. Utah State, they play UVSC & Idaho tomorrow. Idaho beats Nevada-Reno 8-7 and Utah State (sorry no score...but I think it was a two point win). Montana beats Utah State 12-3 and suffers a loss to UVSC 8-7...probably the best Fall Ball game I've been a part of...we play Nevada-Reno tomorrow morning. Overall it's been a fun tournament so far and beautiful weather in Boise. Thanks to James & BSU for hosting.

[Kyle Berggren]

Sounds like that tournament is getting better and better each year. Congrats to Idaho on 2 big wins. It also sounds like Montana and UVSC may have started a rivalry. Has Albertson been a part of the weekend?

[Hi-Line Lax]

Gem State update...Montana wins over Nevada-Reno 12-4, BSU & Idaho tied 3-3 at the half, but we're hitting the road. Kyle- no Albertson this year.

[Jakerandolph]

Hey everyone...just thought I should give you an update on how our lacrosse program is shaping up.

Last Wednesday we had our first official meeting and got 27 guys out. I've been contacted by another 10 who are also interested as well. Currently we've been having some throw-arounds 3 days a week but starting Nov. 2 we have official practices. We are ordering custom maroon/silver CPX helmets and Maroon/Silver Superstar II gloves. Last week I sent out a letter to some alumni and I've already got 15 responses back! Things are beginning to shape up very well. Our guys are excited for some real action, so If you have an open date let us know! Get ready we'll be in full force this time next season!

Go Cougs!

~Jake

[Bronco1]

Gem State Recap:

BSU 4-0
UVSC 2-1
U of Montana 2-1
U of Idaho 2-1
U of Nevada-Reno 2-2
Montana State 1-2
Utah State 0-4

University of Montana looked really good overall, it was a really hard loss to UVSC. Utah Valley isn't as deep as they were last year, but they are still a very talented squad. Thanks to all of the teams for making the trip to Boise.

[Hi-Line Lax]

Thanks much to James & BSU for hosting. Sorry we weren't able to stick around for the championship, but we'll try and get something together for the spring to keep up the Griz-Bronco rivalry...those Broncos are gonna be tough this year.

[Hi-Line Lax]

The Grizzlies are back from a great day of lacrosse yesterday in Spokane. Sunday's match ups were Washington v Gonzaga (sorry don't have a score, but I know it was close), Washington v. Montana (10-5 in favor of the Griz) and Gonzaga v. Montana (12-4 in favor of the Griz). I'm not entirely sure if these scores are accurate... in any event, we're thankful for Rick for getting this day together and providing a very nice turf facility for our use and also to the Huskies for making the trip. As for game notes, the Griz were led in scoring by new-comers Will Freihofer and Zander Ault, but had ten different goal scorers in the two games. Congrats to the Husky defense (especially #7) for shutting out Townsend...that has never happened before...but I will say that he still played very well, getting a lot of GB's and riding very hard. Anyways, that wraps up our fall season...congrats to everybody in the PNCLL this fall, it sounds like we should be in store for another fun and competitive season.

[WouMiddie]

Wow thats pretty cool. even if it is preseason to beat two pretty established A-teams is a pretty cool accomplishment. i for one am way excited that we have to...um i mean get to play montana this year.

[kladis]

yup, games in Spokane, WA in November! no snow or rain, but it was definitely chili. Big thanks for the Huskies and the Grizzlies for making the trip over for the day.

My thoughts for whatever they're worth:

The Huskies seemed very similar to us. Young and new to their systems. They were also short on numbers, but despite Wishengrad's earlier thoughts, I think by time the season rolls around they too will be molded and competing as always.

Montana looked very different than the two A teams. They looked mature and familiar with each other and their systems. To me, there is no doubt that this was the main factor in the 3 games. It's not hard to see the correlation since Montana returned every player from last year, and the Huskies have I think around 26 new players and we have 21 new guys to the program. Experience, Experience, Experience and that's exactly what these games were for.

Montana is gonna be a force again. I already told them where I put my money this year, and I'm very confident in my bet.

Again, thanks to both squads and Kevin and Dijon.
See you in the Spring.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Thanks for putting it together, Rick... I hear we had yet another one-goal game with the Zags -- what's that now -- about 6 in a row over the last four years?

And where did you find a turf field in Spokane? Dejon told our guys to bring their mud cleats LOL

Congrats to the Grizzlies for their great showing!

[kladis]

The high school just a few minutes from campus- Gonzaga Prep put the field in over the summer. Its a fantastic field and the people in the Athletic Department there are absolutely fantastic for us. Also, I didn't think it was a huge deal, but the school has said they will allow us to paint the field for games. We need to use special washable paint that is provided by the manufactures of the turf in order to keep the warranty and it wasn't possible to get it for the fall games since I threw them together last minute. I'm thinking to hold a fall tournament next year and use it. Probably right near the end of October. I know it's early, but you all know now, so plan on it! Should be a great facility, and who knows...maybe a playoff site in the future. (I know this makes you west siders thrilled)

I am working on its availability in the spring for some of our home games. Who knows, the days of playing on the mud parking lot are gone. sad, but not at all.

and yes Dan, another one goal game. Its tradition!

[Dan Wishengrad]

The stuff you need Rick is called Liquid Marking Chalk, made by Aervoe. It's the stuff tested by the FieldTurf manufacturers and approved for use on their fields. Had I known you needed it we could have had Dejon pick up some cans from our IMA Dept. to bring with him, oh well...