who's up for the Div. B at large bids?

[btriley01]

Now that the season is nearing the end with this weekend being the last of the regular season games, who will be up for the division B bids?

[lil lady lax fan]

It's still looking like two of the at-large bids will go to the loser of the San Diego/Claremont divisional matchup and either St. John or St. Thomas (whichever one ends up in second place for the UMLL). Here's where it gets tricky--the third at-large bid. Lot more possibilities for surprise endings in the divisional finals of the CCLA, GRLC, and the RMLC. If Harding doesn't get the AQ for the GRLC then they stand a chance of getting the third bid. They have two tough opponents to contend with: Creighton, whom they've beaten, and Augustana-the dark horse. Augustana is unbeaten but hasn't played any OOC games so they'll be working really hard to get that AQ bid. If Harding does get the AQ there are other possibilities for the third ticket.

Dayton's ahead of Northern Colorado in the polls so if they don't win the CCLA AQ They could get the nod. They will be duking it out with Ferris State and probably Calvin for their AQ.

If Dayton gets the AQ the next possibility is Northern Colorado who it at #10 in the polls. UVSC will more than likely get the AQ for the RMLC.

PNCLL AQ will probably be Montana. LSA AQ will be Southwestern more than likely. SELC and PCLL teams will only get the AQs since I don't think any of their teams played OOCs.

Did I miss anything?

[usdlax8]

well it is apparent that usd or claremont will take one at-large for sure because they are polled at numbers 1 and 2 and their only remaining game is against one another. as for the second at-large bid it looks like st. thomas or st. johns will get one as they are in a similar situation as usd/claremont are. the third at-large is somewhat up for grabs but it looks like the rmlc is going to take it. This gets interesting though because everyone in that conference is at eachother's throats for the final at-large with the exception of uvsc whom apparently is the top dog in that conference. tell me if i'm wrong but this is what it looks like as we are all getting closer to dallas.

[Daniel Morris]

SELC and PCLL teams will only get the AQs since I don't think any of their teams played OOCs.

Did I miss anything?

Rochester played two out of conference games. Isn't that the minimum for Division B?

It would matter anyway, the PCLL isn't even represented in the Top 25. Wrongly in my view.

[lil lady lax fan]

SELC and PCLL teams will only get the AQs since I don't think any of their teams played OOCs.

Did I miss anything?

Rochester played two out of conference games. Isn't that the minimum for Division B?

It would matter anyway, the PCLL isn't even represented in the Top 25. Wrongly in my view.

Sorry about that, my mistake. I think they are the only ones though. As for the rankings I think we're going to see things getting a bit more competitive and more teams moving up and down in ranks as more OOC games are played. This is also only the second year of National competition and there will be quite a few teams there this year that didn't make it last year. I'm sure the PCLL teams will start showing up in the polls on a more regular basis once they get more exposure. Good luck to all in your divisional matches.

usdlax8--we posted at the same time. Great minds think alike, I guess

[Kyle Berggren]

PLU has a shot at beating Montana, leaving Montana in the spot for the final at large bid. PLU is playing well & played Montana to an 18-14 game in Tacoma recently.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

PNCLL AQ will probably be Montana. LSA AQ will be Southwestern more than likely. SELC and PCLL teams will only get the AQs since I don't think any of their teams played OOCs.

Did I miss anything?

Cathi,

You've been on top of things all year. . .but just a little story about PLU in the PNCLL. . .I wouldn't count them out just yet. You saw them get beat up badly in LA in early February. . .but that was a team that just lost one of their best players ('05 First-team midfielder Matt Kennedy) to injury (dislocated ankle) earlier in the week, and since that game and the disappointing loss to Southern Oregon after they returned. . .they put a new goalie in the cage who's been very good and their offense is really clicking. They were tied at the half with Montana in their league matchup, and they've won five straight league games --putting up some impressive numbers. . .

Montana is the most talented team in the PNCLL for sure, but the Lutes are gamers and they could definitely make a run in the playoffs. I think the return of Kennedy is going to also give them a boost between the restraining lines. It should be interesting. . .

[lil lady lax fan]

Jason,
Sorry about that. Knew I was forgetting something!! I was typing that rather quickly at work with what little time I had remaining from my lunch break. Thanks for adding the PNCLL portion to the mix.

And you're right, PLU does stand a chance at taking away the AQ from Montana. Even back in February you guys were playing a good game. If only there had been one more day--it would've been interesting to see a matchup between you and Northern Colorado or St. John's. Interesting to note that most of the B teams that were there that weekend are very strong contenders for Nationals this year. This only goes to prove how competitive the various leagues are becoming, and how the at-large bids have really stepped things up.

Good luck to the Lutes! I always love an upset, it just makes things all the more interesting!

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

As it turns out based upon the divisions up here, PLU will play Montana on Saturday in the semis. . . and Western Washington will play Souther Oregon in the other semifinal.

If PLU does eek out a victory over Montana, or if 14th ranked WWU knocks them off in the final game, there is a chance Montana could get the at-large bid.

No other team in the PNCLL has a chance at the at-large.

[usdlax8]

what are the remaining playoff games in the b division that would have important implications for the seeding as well as the at-large bids in Plano?

[Johnnielax13]

what are the remaining playoff games in the b division that would have important implications for the seeding as well as the at-large bids in Plano?

usdlax8,

The UMLL Championships this weekend in Blaine will be important. Based on the current rankings, we can expect the both St. John's and St. Thomas will make it to the national tournament. However, one will make it as an AQ, and the other will make it on an At Large bid. If both SJU and UST win thier games on Saturday, they will face each other on Sunday. I don't know how it might reflect in the seedings, but it could be something to watch for.

[usdlax8]

lets say st. thomas loses their game hypothetically. does that bump them out of the nationals? i know that a loss by st. johns wouldn't be enough to bump them out of nationals but is st thomas a sure at-large? keep in mind i am not predicting an upset but you never know this year with the top b teams having so much parity.

[lil lady lax fan]

I would think that even if St. Thomas loses to St. John's it shouldn't affect their ranking since St. John's is ahead of them in the polls. Even if they do fall a place or two they should still be high enough in the rankings to get an at-large bid.

usdlax8
Hope you guys are looking forward to your at-large bid...
Just kidding. Really looking forward to the game on Sunday. OPY vs DPY--should be quite entertaining!

[btriley01]

What will the div. B brackets look like? I'm thinking this:

# 5 seed
l_________
# 12 seedl l__________
# 1 seed_l l
# 6 seed_ l______________
l________ l l
11 seed l l___________l l
# 2 seed_l l
l___________
# 7 seed l
l_________ l
# 11 seed l l__________ l
#3 seed__l l l
#8 seed l_____________l
l_________ l
# 9 seed l_________l
# 4 seed__l


I'm not really sure, so if anyone has an idea, I would love to see it. BTW, this took me about 30 mins. I'm computer illiterate.
[/u]

[btriley01]

ok so that did not work like i wanted it to. Man that makes me mad. i hate that it wont freakin work like i wanted it to...