SECOND MDIA Div. B Top 25 Poll is out (3/9/06)!

[Hi-Line Lax]

USD can say whatever they want about us...but that was by far the worst game we have played in two years and USD played a much better game than they played in the championship. Let's also keep in mind that we didn't graduate any players from a team that beat St. John's handily in Blaine. I know the tournament is what it's all about, but let's just be realistic here...we've earned our rank.

[lil lady lax fan]

It sounds like there are quite a few question marks when it comes to the top ten teams and where to place many of them. Montana's and UVSC's biggest question marks should be answered soon now that they are playing more games. It's too bad they didn't schedule more top ten OOC games, but their matchup will give pollsters a better idea of their level of play. Both are very good teams and deserve to be in the top rankings. PLULax makes a good point about the Montana-PLU game. That could serve as a benchmark as well. UNC vs UVSC could also do the same. Both Claremont and San Diego's scores were comparable in both instances. The increase in OOC games and the diversity of the matchups has helped many gain a better picture of the capabilities of the top 25-30 teams throughout the various leagues, IMHO.

Aside from the top 8 teams, how are the others in the top 15 looking? What kind of OOC games do you see as determining factors affecting the next poll?

I know San Diego takes on UC Irvine next Saturday. That game will probably affect their status. Davidson's game against Elon also a big deal. Both teams are undefeated, only one can come out on top. Montana State is playing UVSC today. How they do against them could move them up or down in the polls. Two of Creighton's big games don't occur until next month (St. Thomas and Harding).

Just some thoughts on the other rankings.

[lil lady lax fan]

Kyle,
Just saw your updates in the Live Action forum on the PLU-Montana game. How does this game stack up against the games played in Irvine?

[Kyle Berggren]

I wasn't at Irvine, but the difference in my eyes is the mud. I was very surprised by the high score, but PLU's great equalizer at home has always been the field. Montana likes to move the ball quickly, lots of cuts off ball and working it in tight when possible. During this game they were not able to make that happen. The 1/2 step they can usually get on their defenders (to feed, cut, or drive) was not there due to footing.

Most of the scoring on both sides (aside from the PLU EMO) was done unsettled after a rebound or scrum on ground balls. PLU freshman attackmen #22 was phenominal unsettled, as was his team to get the ball to him. I'm not sure how many he finished with but he looks 100% better than the first time I saw him 2 months ago. He was dangerous enough that Montana had to lock him off during EMO and play 4v5.

The Montana Goalie did not look as good to me as I remembered from previous games (was not Gilbert Thompsen), but he was great clearing the ball and had a good run in the 3rd. I guess its hard to expect too much when unsettled goals are coming from the crease, but I remember a wall which he wasn't today.

I don't have a ground ball count, but that was the difference in the game. When Montana was able to dig it out of the mud, they were usually able to score. For the most part, PLU was better on the ground today. PLU played to their strengths, sliding to body & being physical on ball in the defensive end, while on the other end of the field the attack fought just as hard for the ground, and rode well. Kris Olsen was very impressive distributing the ball on EMO (lots of hockey assists) & was phenominal on the ride (2 desticks).

I don't know what else to add but in short;

Mud slowed the game down
Montana seemed to have plenty of fire power settled & unsettled
Montana spent 15 minutes in the box
Montana was great moving the ball around the cage
Montana drove more than usual (PLU pressure? mud slowing cuts down?)
Montana was emotional during the game
PLU man down was good
PLU won the ground
PLU was Fantastic EMO
PLU was great unsettled
PLU spent 6 minutes in the box
PLU won it at the faceoff X
PLU is much improved (noticably at the attack & in cage)

[mcneito]

Also note that PLU is missing All-American middie- #11 Matt Kennedy.....probably the best middie I faced last year- Out for the year with torn ligaments.
In watching the Irvine tourney....I am even more impressed in USD. They did a great job in only giving Claremont 3 goals...contrary to previous talk, the Claremont offense is NOT just one player....they return 3 all americans on offense.
Also, taking nothing away from St. John's impressive win over SD, but, USD is limited to only a half a field to practice on, as well as only under 5 hours a week practice time, this is a team that gets better each week....they are VERY well coached and disciplined.
I would also keep an eye on Calvin....they are very well coached....and return a lot of impressive players from last year.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Just a note on #11 Matt Kennedy of PLU. . .his leg is out of the cast and he is undergoing rehab. . .there is an OUTSIDE chance he could be back for playoffs. . .it is highly unlikely with a full ankle dislocation, but as hard as that kid works I would never rule out the possibility that he could be back for an "Ali-like return to the ring."

By the way Tommy. . .you were the best long pole I coached against in my final season last year. . .has UVSC been able to replace you between the lines?

[Jolly Roger]

Also, taking nothing away from St. John's impressive win over SD, but, USD is limited to only a half a field to practice on, as well as only under 5 hours a week practice time, this is a team that gets better each week....they are VERY well coached and disciplined.

... and you think a team from Minnesota is practicing on a full field 2 hours a day 5 times a week in February. I'll give you two hints: 1) it's winter 2.) St John's wasn't even in session throughout the entire month of January giving them less than 2 weeks of practice prior to their trip.

...not to " take anything away from them" though.

[DanGenck]

St. John's does not have J-term. I am sure practice started on or near January 3rd/4th when the spring semester started.

Most schools in Minnesota are lucky to get indoor space. SJU has almost a full field (though tennis court floor) to practice on, which is very lucky. Others are not so lucky...

[gcclax33]

think pollsters need to watch Dayton. They are new to the league (previously in the NCLL) and not much is known about them, but they have played both Purdue and Oakland to respectable losses, while defeating Taylor 9-2. They are lead by a good coach and I believe they will play their way into the top 25 (if not 15) before season's end.

They have not earned their way into the top 25 yet, but I just wanted to throw their name out there for consideration.

The fact that Dayton is on your radar makes sense, but I agree that they have a long way to go before being considered for the top 25. The Taylor team that they beat has started slowly (19-11 loss to a team that was not expected to contend this year, though nobody knows). Also, if you look at the Oakland score, Oakland was up 8-2 in the first quarter. I imagine that they played their reserves a whole lot.

I'm not trying to knock Dayton, because I haven't seen them play, but there are plenty of teams in the CCLA that are just as intriguing. I think Grand Valley State is an up and coming team, that might surprise a few, and I (with bias) think that Grove City will make noise. We lost to Calvin by 1 goal last season (14-13) and lost a close game to IUP. We did not lose any significant players, and have added some very quality depth this season.

[Pinball]

St. John's does not have J-term. I am sure practice started on or near January 3rd/4th when the spring semester started.

Most schools in Minnesota are lucky to get indoor space. SJU has almost a full field (though tennis court floor) to practice on, which is very lucky. Others are not so lucky...

Dan- We started around the 15th and I know you are missing the late night practices inside the Spectrum!!

Man i am glad i am not a voter....

[mcneito]

has UVSC been able to replace you between the lines?

Thanks for the compliment Doc. There was a solid freshman behind me last year that saw a good amount of time, that is looking pretty good this year.
Best of luck to Matt and his recovery....I talked to him and Bubba in Irvine. Gotta love those guys....Big #12 (trost) and I still talk about how fun that UV PLU game was last year.

[Kyle Berggren]

I thought you would have had more fun during the UPS game, but then again, as a LSM you wouldn't have played much...

[Zeuslax]

(19-11 loss to a team that was not expected to contend this year, though nobody knows).

..........That was Carnegie Mellon. As far as the strength of the CCLA, every team it seems has improved. Possibly a down year for Taylor, maybe? Time will tell. GVSU was plagued by injuries last season and seems to be much improved. Ferris State graduated only thier backup goalie and added some quality talent. Calvin has a ton of new recruits. IUP looked good this fall and added some players. Taylor virtually has everyone back from last seasons playoff team. Dayton, a little of a unknown, but has played some tough competition thus far. This season it could really come down to who stays healthy, consistently improves, and who catch a team or two on the right day. The cross-over matchups will shed a lot of light too.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Does anyone know of any top-10 teams that didn't schedule the mandatory 2 out-of-conference games in order to be considered for an at-large bid? That could certainly add a wrinkle to the invites at the end of the season. . .

[lil lady lax fan]

Does anyone know of any top-10 teams that didn't schedule the mandatory 2 out-of-conference games in order to be considered for an at-large bid? That could certainly add a wrinkle to the invites at the end of the season. . .

Of the top ten teams, the only one who doesn't have any OOC games scheduled is Davidson. In the top 20 there are a total of four teams without OOC games: Davidson(#10), Eckerd(#12), Pepperdine(#13), Indiana U. of PA(#17)

In the SELC, all of the top three contenders have no OOC games scheduled (Elon being in the #2 spot right now). Davidson just lost to Elon this weekend.

In the PCLL-B only Rochester has 2 OOC games scheduled.