PNCLL Week #5 (3/1-3/7) -- Predict, Scores & Discuss

[Dan Wishengrad]

Friday, March 3rd
Utah 21 Boise State 12

Saturday, March 4th
Oregon 10 Simon Fraser 9
Montana 20 Puget Sound 2
Southern Oregon 10 Pacific Lutheran 9
Boise State 16 Utah State 12
Oregon State 9 Washington 4
Western Oregon 17 Willamette 1
Linfield 9 Whitman 4

Sunday, March 5th
Oregon 10 Washington 3
Oregon State 16 Simon Fraser 15
Montana 15 Gonzaga 7
Western Washington 26 Lewis & Clark 1
Pacific Lutheran 17 Linfield 7
Southern Oregon 11 Puget Sound 6
Whitman 8 Willamette 3

Another busy week in the PNCLL, highlighted by the huge Oregon-Simon Fraser clash up in Canada on Saturday.

The B Division standings don't resemble exactly what many observers -- including this one -- might have predicted before the season began. Montana leads B-South and Western Washington sits atop B-North, neither of which which is a huge surprise. But at 2-1 Albertson holds 2nd place currently in B-South, and the Yotes take a break over the weekend and get to watch the teams below them fight to make up ground.

Montana returns to action with a divisional game at UPS Saturday, and then a game at A-Division Gonzaga on the drive home. The Grizzlies appear to be the clear favorite in the B-Division, possibly as dominant in the small college bracket as Oregon is in the big school conference. Unless the planets align in some weird cosmic gathering, Montana won't have too tough a time handling the over-matched Loggers.

Linfield has a huge weekend, hosting traditional rivals Whitman and PLU. The Wildcats have stumbled slightly out of the starting gate in 2006, losing badly at WWU and barely holding off upstart Albertson, who Linfield surprisingly trails in the early B-South standings. First up for LC will be the Missionaries, who were stunned at home last week by Southern Oregon. While this game is not a "must win" for either team, both Linfield and Whitman could sorely use a victory to regain confidence and get back on track in the race for playoff positioning. On Sunday Linfield hosts the Lutes, who made a switch in goal against Western Washington and came up winners last Sunday in a crucial game. Despite the brutal early season schedule and 2-4 overall record, PLU is undefeated in B-North Division play with an important win over a key rival in the Vikings. The last time these two teams met, PLU ousted Linfield in the '05 semi-finals 13-4. The Wildcats were banged up and injury-depleted that day, but this time it is PLU which must take the field minus a star player.

Flushed with confidence after a competitive loss to B-Heavy Montana and the big upset of Whitman, Southern Oregon returns home for a pair of games with PLU and UPS. Excitement is surely building in Ashland for these games, as the Raiders suddenly become more than a long drive for the rest of the PNCLL B teams. To compete with PLU, the Raiders will have to give more of the physical effort they are becoming known for, while also finding a way to generate a little more offense against the Lutes. PLU has scored at least ten goals against everybody except top-ranked Claremont and UC San Diego, so the Raiders can't expect to win another low scoring affair this time around. Puget Sound finally got in the win column last week against Lewis & Clark, so now this long trip has added meaning for the Loggers. UPS needs its veterans to stand up and lead its younger players at SOU, especially after a long drive following the home game against Montana the day before. For UPS to remain in the hunt in the tough B-North, the Loggers will have to upset a team or two before the season is out.

Western Oregon has a short drive to Salem to take on Willamette on Saturday. Despite a misleading 1-3 record to date in '06, WOU has been very competitive in losses to WWU, Montana and Whitman. The Bearcats look like just the ticket for the Wolves to feast on.

Western Washington has a home date with Sunday with Lewis & Clark, in a game that has "blowout" written all over it -- unless the Pios can shake off three seasons of under-performing and return to the form that saw them win the PNCLL B crown in 2003.

Kyle will be along, as always, to preview the A-Division later.

[TheBearcatHimself]

Linfield has a huge weekend, hosting traditional rivals Whitman and PLU. The Lions have stumbled slightly out of the starting gate in 2006

forgive me for being the annoying person to point it out, but I'm pretty sure it's the Wildcats.

[Chris Long]

3/3
Utah 15, BSU 6

3/4
UO 13, SFU 8
Montana 18, PSU 7
PLU 9, SOU 4
BSU 8, Utah St 5
OSU 11, 'Practice is Manditory (sic)' 9
WO 8, Willamette 3
Linfield 9, Whitman 8

3/5
UO 21, 'NO EXCEPTIONS' 7
SFU 12, OSU 4
Zags 9, Montana 8
WWU 19, L&C 7
Linfield 8, PSU 6
SO 9, PSU 7
Whitman 12, Willamette 3

Good luck to all this weekend.

[Ballaholic]

Although Montana has stumbled late in the game 2 years in a row at Gonzaga, I think this game will be a bit different considering Gonzaga is without Kladis. Montana by 5

[Kojima]

Saturday, March 4th
#7 Oregon at #24 Simon Fraser

hopefully this turn out to be a good, close game. they're playing the match during the bc high-school field lacrosse championships, so there should be a decent crowd.

[primetime21]

just to clear things up. we play on sunday at linfield not UPS. UPS is at SOU.

[Chris Long]

Saturday, March 4th
#7 Oregon at #24 Simon Fraser

hopefully this turn out to be a good, close game. they're playing the match during the bc high-school field lacrosse championships, so there should be a decent crowd.

I think it will be a good game, close until the end - with UO pulling comfortably ahead late.

Could be dangerous for the Ducks - they've blown out everyone they've played; starters have been pulled early in these games (will they click for 60 minutes?) and SFU is finally playing a home game. I would like to see updates for this one.

[kladis]

Although Montana has stumbled late in the game 2 years in a row at Gonzaga, I think this game will be a bit different considering Gonzaga is without Kladis. Montana by 5

I'll be there......

Also, and the real reason I'm posting- The game has been moved from Mulligan Field to our now home field which is the Gonzaga Prep Stadium which is a field turf field just minutes from Campus. (This is the same field that we played the fall games on.)

It would have been fun to play the game on Mulligan being that it is right next to the McCarthy Center where the WCC b-ball tourney is this weekend and so there would have been a big routy crowd, but Mulligan was in just to bad of shape for a game. Directions are on the pncll website.

Lookin' forward to another good ol' friendly rivalry game this weekend Grizz. If history has anything to say- it should be a close one.

[Jakerandolph]

Don't forget... Central Washingtion plays a HUGE game against Washington State this weekend!!!!!

[Dan Wishengrad]

Don't forget... Central Washingtion plays a HUGE game against Washington State this weekend!!!!!

Jake I didnt forget about this -- in fact I never knew about it in the first place. While the weekly schedule will continue to list only MDIA games, feel free to post results for Wazzou here. We're all rooting for the return of the Coug!

[ZagGrad]

We're all rooting for the return of the Coug!

You can say that again!

On a separate issue, if WSU is not part of the MDIA, how is eligibility affected? Just curious.

[Kyle Berggren]

Friday,

BSU returns to their old stomping grounds (the RMLC) to face a top 25 ranked Utah. BSU should be fresh after not having a full previous weekend.

Saturday,

One of the most anticipated games this season for both clubs will take place in Canada, we have the Ducks @ the Clan. Over the past few years Oregon has become the dominant force in the PNCLL, but the Clan hasn't fallen too far out of the spotlight. They'll hope to continue their tough first half schedule with a win at home against an Oregon team many are mentioning in elite company this season. Oregon has not been challenged yet this season showing a 4-0 record, scoring 19, 20, 21, 22 respectively. Their closest game so far was a 13 point win over Stanford in their first game this season. The Clan will look to push the pace early as they've played tougher competition already this season.

BSU @ Utah State... Still in the RMLC, a new conference hasn't slowed this teams travel budget. I wish I had more to say, but good luck to the Bronco's, show Utah State & the RMLC why you wanted/deserved to be in the A.

Oregon State @ Washington, a very important game for both teams. If we assume Oregon & SFU will be in the A playoffs, who gets the last 2 spots? Washington, Oregon State, BSU, Gonzaga, Idaho? Did I miss anyone? It's wide open, & head to head games will be a major factor in determining the length of the season. Washington has an ever changing team filled with what seems to be new players each week, maybe more addition/changes to the coaching staff, but they'll have to be healthy to rival the Beavers. I'll expect lots of pressure on the Husky defense this game, how they respond will be the major determinant in the outcome of this game.

Sunday,

Oregon will face the Dawgs on their way back through Seattle. Both teams will play tough games the day before and depth may become a major issue as this game goes on.

Oregon State gets to cross the border this weekend, hoping to play a bruised and battered Clan from an Oregon game the day before. Should be very interesting. An upset from the Beavers puts them in the drivers seat for a 2nd seed in the tournament, a win for the Clan does the same for them, but forces OSU back into the thick of things for a chance to make the playoffs.

Montana will face the Zags, @ Gonzaga. Apparently Mulligan Field sucks more than usual, so they'll use field turf.... Why wouldn't you? well, whatever, should be an interesting matchup. The Zags beat UPS 13-4, off the top of my head, the Montana @ UPS game on Saturday should give us an idea of how competetive the game will be.

Good Luck to all, I'm back to work.

[Dan Wishengrad]

We're all rooting for the return of the Coug!

You can say that again!

On a separate issue, if WSU is not part of the MDIA, how is eligibility affected? Just curious.

WSU doesnt have to submit to eligibilty requirements at all Chris. But if the Cougs are smart, they will stick with full-time undergrads only this year when playing exhibitions against MDIA teams. Assuming they come to the fall meeting to apply for re-instatement to the PNCLL, showing that they stuck to all the rules this year as an unaffiliated independent would be a great testimony that Wazzou is ready to resume play next season as a serious MDIA team. Playing "ringers' this year might cast some doubt on that...

[ZagGrad]

Playing "ringers" this year might cast some doubt on that...

It never hurt them before did it?

[Scrape Mode]

Saturday, March 4th
#7 Oregon at #24 Simon Fraser

there should be a decent crowd.

Something like the PNCLL Finals in 2005?!