BYU/Utah Scrimmage

[byualum]

Any word on the BYU/U of U scrimmage...

[bbandlax]

The final ended up being something like 17-12 for BYU. The Score was 15-5 at the end of the 3rd. The starters played well through most of the 1st 3 quarters. A bit disapointing from A BYU perspective to see the 2nd string get beat so bad in the 4th. It is a long season and depth will be needed in April and May.

[CATLAX MAN]

I'm wondering how the BYU defense looked? That was certainly their Achilles heel last year at the Tourney.

[byualum]

I'm wondering how the BYU defense looked? That was certainly their Achilles heel last year at the Tourney.

Giving up 12 goals to Utah has got to say something about the defense...

[If At First...]

"Giving up 12 goals to Utah has got to say something about the defense..."

Or maybe says something about Utah's continued improvement.

[the lax]

Or maybe if the BYU starters only let up 5 goals, it says nothing about utah's continued improvement. Unless they scored less than 5 goals against BYU last year.

[If At First...]

I'm just saying, I just finished watching the game tape, and the Utes played better than they ever have against BYU. Thats not to say BYU didn't clearly dominate, which they did. Usually BYU controls the ball the entire game, but possession time was split pretty decently. BYU's shooters are incredible, about 85 to 90 percent of their goals were rippers from up top. To sum it all up, BYU is awesome, Utes are getting better. Here's the box score.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
BYU 7 2 6 2
Utah 2 3 0 7

[bbandlax]

Great comments Joe, I agree completely.

No one could ever accuse me of being a U of U sympathizer. I have never cheered for the U in anything. However in the lacrosse world my attitude is much different. The U is indeed a much improved team and I am glad to see it. The U's improvement is great for the sport in Utah and the RMLC. I think that all the schools in Utah have a great chance at really making strides in the next few years. A quick look at BYU's roster will show a huge number of kids coming from Utah. In fact some of the Y's best players the last couple of years have been Utah products.

Mason has been an amazing ambassador for the sport for many years. As soon as he stops trying to push the best Utah kids back east (or DI)and instead recruits them to the U the program will take the next step up. (I know he does this to try and put them into positions to play lax at the highest level, which is a very noble thing to do.)

I think Utah may be as good as any of the second tier schools in the country. I would not be surprised to see them slip into the top 15 and have a shot at Minnesota come May. Good luck fellas, even much of the Cougar faithful are cheering for you. (except on April 22 )

[TrainerDan]

The score in no way was indicative of the overall game. BYU came out a bit sluggish I thought in the first half but still had a 9-5 halftime lead. The third quarter wasn't even close. The Cougars dominated that quarter and put the game away with 6 goals to Utah's 0. The 4th is a bit misleading. Most of the 4th quarter saw third string guys in for the Cougs, I wouldn't read much into it. Reminded me a lot of this same scrimmage last year: BYU didn't play anywhere near as well as they would have liked and Utah played as well as they could hope and the Cougs still dominated them. I'll give Utah credit though, at least they got some new shorts which didn't look bad.

[If At First...]

Thanks bbandlax, as much as I'm bred to hate BYU, I'm always cheerin' for your lax boys quietly. Unless of course its against us, then its war!

And I'm glad trainer dan likes my boys new shorts . I remember a time not too long ago when BYU's 2nd and 3rd stringers would clean up against the Utes from the opening whistle. Knowing that the Utes have progressed to a point that they can dump 7 goals on those same 3rd stringers makes me proud. I also don't think the Utes have EVER outscored BYU in a quarter before. Playing a team like BYU you have to have a perfect game, because they will easily capatalize on mistakes, thats what good teams do. The Utes made too many mistakes doing simple things I saw them drill against UVSC three days prior. I guess the intimidation factor got into some of their heads.

Since i'm done with my eligibility, sometimes I feel I have to convince others of the Utes progress on the forums since I can't do it on the field. I'm glad my optimism for the program is shared by others, even if its a BYU man! Anyway, I'll let the my friends on the team do the talking from now on. Peace, see yall on the sidelines .