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

[SOU LAX]

As for SOU, no one is disrespecting you, be happy with the fact we know you are a classy group of guys and a quality growing team. And don't you want to sneak up on people? Don't know if you'll sneak up if you keep demanding respect.

For the record, not one thing has been said from anyone associated with SOU LAX. All comments regarding our program has come from spectators. We let our actions do the talking.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Utah 21
Boise State 12

[Kojima]

Final score: 10-9 Oregon. apparently the score went back and forth the entire game. was tied 4-4 at the start of the second quarter. sfu was up 9-7 at one point but oregon came back to win it late.

[muchachojones]

Linfield 9, Whitman 4.

[TheBearcatHimself]

WOU 17, Willamette 1

Thanks for coming out Western, a great group of guys, always classy on and off the field. Good luck on the rest of your season!

[Laxfan87]

Oregon 10 SFU 9....SFU led 7-5 at the half. Oregon then took a 8-7 lead followed by a 9-8 SFU lead, followed by a 10-9 Oregon victory.

[TheNino57]

Central Washington tops Washington State 11-3. I'd like to thank the Wazzu players for making the trip out.

[CATLAX MAN]

Oregon 10 SFU 9....SFU led 7-5 at the half. Oregon then took a 8-7 lead followed by a 9-8 SFU lead, followed by a 10-9 Oregon victory.

Another surprising score. Perhaps Oregon is not as good as their billing. . . .

[Laxfan87]

Another surprising score. Perhaps Oregon is not as good as their billing. . . .

Perhaps, but keep in mind SFU is still SFU. They were once the PNCLL giants not too long ago, so its possible the program is back on the up.

I think the score says one thing, the PNCLL should get some more respect if we are able to send two teams to nationals again this year.(last time was 2004 i believe) This close score is best for the league, im sure its not as fun when one team blows everybody out. I'm sure if you asked some SFU alumnus from 1997-2002 (even tho in 2002 they were inelegible) dominating each team wasnt as fun as a nice close game. If SFU takes the playoffs, which would mean Oregon would still have their at large bid, then we would send two. Although it's still early in the season, this type of game bodes well for the league.

although I'm not an expert, this game should cause SFU's ranking to rise and Oregons to drop.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Oregon State 9
Washington 4

Huskies played a great defensive game, holding the Beavers to 1 first half goal. OSU scored the final 4 goals late in the fourth quarter to break open a close game.

[TheBearcatHimself]

although I'm not an expert, this game should cause SFU's ranking to rise and Oregons to drop.

That would be unfortunate, remember this was at SFU. Everyone acts like SFU is some has-been. SFU is still a top-notch team and Oregon is legit. I believe Oregon's very tough non-conference schedule will prove they belong among the nation's elite, a spot they've earned with their performances the last couple years. SFU beat an ASU team at ASU and they aren't slouches. They also lost two games to quality teams in Utah and UofA on the road. I think SFU and Oregon are both great teams, and it's unfortunate if the nation has a knee-jerk reaction to this score in thinking Oregon is down.

[Laxfan87]

That would be unfortunate, remember this was at SFU. Everyone acts like SFU is some has-been. SFU is still a top-notch team and Oregon is legit. I believe Oregon's very tough non-conference schedule will prove they belong among the nation's elite, a spot they've earned with their performances the last couple years. SFU beat an ASU team at ASU and they aren't slouches. They also lost two games to quality teams in Utah and UofA on the road. I think SFU and Oregon are both great teams, and it's unfortunate if the nation has a knee-jerk reaction to this score in thinking Oregon is down.

I hope I didnt come across saying SFU was "ok" at best. SFU is still a solid team. They are full of freshman and sophomores(only 1 senior) so this team will be even better as time goes on. I think Oregon's rank will drop still. Just because they are #7 and SFU is #24. Because alot of the other voters outside the PNCLL will look at this game under the impression SFU isnt very good, so that must mean Oregon isnt as good as first though. SFU in games this year show that they are trying to get back to the elite where they once were and this close game is a step towards that. I see Oregon dropping to about 9th or 10th and Arizona overtaking them because they beat SFU 18-11(which is a decent margin, but its hard to say the total story because it was in the middle of a long tiring road trip) and they just beat BYU.

As i said in the previous post, it is still early in the season so its hard to say for sure. I think the safe thing to say is that SFU is definitly a good team and improved over last year and its possible Oregon may be little worse with the loss of Ernst and Cooley among other seniors. But like before as well, the best thing for this league is for it to be competitive and more then a one team league.

[Dan Wishengrad]

As reported on PNCLL.com:

Southern Oregon 10
PLU 9

Yeah, I guess the Raiders are for real after all. Congrats SOU on a second-straight huge win for your young program!

[Chris Long]

Another surprising score. Perhaps Oregon is not as good as their billing. . . .

That's a tough trip up to Vancouver. I think this was UO's first test this year - the first time they NEEDED to play 60 minutes and still they won. SFU is tough. I don't think Oregon drops in the rankings and if they do - SO WHAT? With this win, they've solidifed their footing in the PNCLL.

Sounds as if it was a helluva game.

[Laxfan87]

That's a tough trip up to Vancouver. I think this was UO's first test this year - the first time they NEEDED to play 60 minutes and still they won. SFU is tough. I don't think Oregon drops in the rankings and if they do - SO WHAT? With this win, they've solidifed their footing in the PNCLL.

Sounds as if it was a helluva game.

I agree with most of that, the trip is tough, but everyone has to do it. If arizona and Utah went to Burnaby(SFU plays out of Burnaby not Vancouver) maybe they would have won, but they didnt and they cant change that. SFU beat Oregon last year in Eugene, so obviously SFU is capable of beating them(especially since it wouldnt be a stretch to say last years oregon is more talented then this years, still early though) The one thing I dont agree with you saying is that Oregon has solidified their footing in the PNCLL. Yes they have locked up the first Seed in playoffs(SFU beating Oregon state tomorrow will probably mean they will end up second) but that doesnt mean they have solidified dominance, just as if SFU won by a goal. For Oregon, or SFU of that matter, to prove who is better it will come down to the second meeting in April (assuming they face eachother) Obviously Oregon will improve as the season goes on, but SFU should as well.

The end fact of the 10-9 game is that we have two competitive teams(not sure how Oregon State is but the loss to stanford doesnt look encouraging) battling it out for the PNCLL title come April...and im sure anyone would agree that its more fun and exciting that way.