PNCLL Week #4 (2/23-3/1) - Predict, Scores, Discuss

[Dan Wishengrad]

Fri. Feb 25
Oregon 11 Chico State 10
Western Oregon 8 at Lewis & Clark 6

Sat. Feb. 26
Simon Fraser 14 Chico State 10
Whitman 19 Willamette 3
Linfield 18 Central Washington 8
Washington 15 Idaho 5
Montana 11 Boise State 9

Sun. Feb. 27
Simon Fraser 7 Oregon 5
UPS 8 Pacific Lutheran 5
Whitman 10 Lewis & Clark 2
Central Washington 7 Western Oregon 6
Montana 11 Albertson 4
Linfield 19 Willamette 5


While most eyes in the MDIA will be glued to Eugene for the big game there on Sunday (see Kyle's weekly A Division preview), up I-5 about 200 miles or so is a pretty big one in the B Division, too. PLU (1-4) has finished its tough early schedule with losses to SFU, UW, UO and OSU sandwiched around a solid win over B Division Western Washington. The Lutes have a physical defense in front of steady Goalie Brett Bartell, while the offense has steadily improved behind a balanced Attack. Defending B Champ UPS (2-1) counters with Attackman Scott McAmis and a supporting cast of young guns like Reid Petit and Brad Karr to provide some scoring, while Goalie Matt Riopelle anchors the defense. The Loggers will have to protect the ball against aggressive long-pole checks and give four quarters of effort to pull out the upset. Having a win over WWU already on the books, PLU can take a commanding early lead in the B-North standings with a victory. UPS, likewise, jumps right into contention with a win.

Albertson College is at home Saturday for its first PNCLL/MDIA contest against visiting Montana (1-1). The Grizzlies have been perhaps the league's biggest surprise, with Townsend Hall and Jake Goodwin forming an offensive dynamic duo, with 14 combined goals in two games.

#25B Whitman (0-1) tries to rebound from a tough opening loss to conference foe Montana with a swing through the B-South. Both Lewis & Clark (0-2) and Willamette (0-1) are struggling early, and the visiting Missionaries present a formidable obstacle to both teams. But earlier during the week Western Oregon (0-1) visits Lewis & Clark and Willamette (RESCHEDULED TO APRIL) first, and these two games could be interesting as somebody has to score some goals and win. Western Oregon got a rude welcome to the league from B-South leader Linfield (3-0).

Unlike UPS-PLU, which has big playoff implications, the other big B game of the week is an inter-conference match which may not count towards playoffs but will be closely watched nevertheless. Second-year Central Washington (3-1) has come a long way quickly, while Linfield (3-0) is back, baby. This (Wild)Cat fight features some high-powered offense, with Linfield's Taylor Brennan, John Kearsley, Kyle Gilmore and Brian Garrow staring acrosse the Midfield line at Central's Jeff Cochran, Alan Columbo, Erik Heineman and Johnny Mack. They might have to delay the game to patch some holes in the net before this one is over.

[Kyle Berggren]

Another big week for the PNCLL A Division, last week we went to California, this week California comes to us…..

Friday the 25th, #23 Chico State (1-1) is at #8 Oregon (1-0). Oregon lost to Chico 7-3 last season, and has never beaten Chico State. After scoring 23 on the Lutes last weekend, Oregon should look to run up the score against a Chico defense that couldn’t stop NDNU two weeks ago (losing 12-3). Last year Chico spread out the offense, this year attackmen Matt Bissell is averaging 4 ppg.

Saturday the #15 Clan gets their shot at Chico in Eugene. SFU has scored 33 goals in 3 games, while only allowing 12, that’s nearly a 3-1 advantage. Hopefully SFU can make it down Friday night to get a good look at the 8 and 23rd ranked teams.

The University of Idaho plays their first PNCLL game at the 2-1 UW Huskies Saturday. Washington is coming off of a long road trip in California, winning a tough game at Cal. No one knows what to expect from the Vandals, but good luck, and welcome to the PNCLL. Good luck to the Huskies too.

The Final A division game for the weekend could have a little impact on the PNCLL A division this year, or the national rankings. #15 Simon Fraser @ #8 Oregon…. Oregon swept the Clan last year, including the championship game 19-9.

[primetime21]

like kyle and dan have said...big big weekend from the pncll...this will be the first weekend where we get to see the our newly aligned divisions take shape. in the A division it is battle #1 between SFU and UofO and in the B rankings its really round 2 between PLU and UPS. i don't know how many people remember last years battle going to overtime with PLU winning 8-7, without standout attackman Chris jensen with a broken finger we found a way to win. this year is a little different. with our schedule heavily front loaded we got tested early and often, now we are ready to contend for the league title. could be a preview to the playoffs. can't wait for this weekend. this is our own version of rivalry week.

[BearcatLax]

Willamette v. Western Oregon was rescheduled to April 9th, apparently this was done some time ago, but I didn't even hear about until yesterday. I'm sure you all are disappointed and had big plans for Wednesday night in Beautiful Salem, Oregon: "We have more than just crackheads now!"--Salem City Chamber of Commerce

[some kid]

Oregon vs SFU should be a great game... but it won't. Oregon by 8.

Let's look at the stats: last year Oregon stomped on SFU in the final, to win by 10. SFU lost a couple of their best players from that team, namely Kojima. Oregon lost no one. This year, SFU only beat PLU 10-2, then OSU by one, without Tipton, while Oregon easily handled the Lutes with a 23-3 win...

Anyone think differently?

As for Chico, i say both PNCLL teams beat em!

[ZagGrad]

Oregon gets a day of rest after the Chico game as well. Plus, they'll get to scout SFU. I don't think Oregon will win big though.

[Scrape Mode]

UO vs Chico: I think there is a good chance this game will be decided in the first quarter. If the Ducks can come out and get a couple unanswered goals early on, the Wildcats won't have a chance to catch up.

SFU vs Chico: This will be a close game. Chico is gonna come out and win the majority of the ground balls leading to a Wildcat win.

UO vs SFU: All eyes and ears in the MDIA are gonna be on this one! Both team have plenty of offensive power. This game will be decided by the defense. I predict Oregon's defense to hold it down and score a couple points of their own.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Coach Warner has a talented, defense-minded team. Goalie Blake Wahrlich is the real deal, and Chico has a long-pole (#25) who is just sick. The key to the Wildcats hopes against both Oregon and Simon Fraser is to keep ten men on the field. If they give either the Ducks or Clansmen half the number of man-up opportunities they gave us on Sunday, then Chico is in big trouble in my opinion.

[jtlax]

Final score: Oregon 11-Chico 10. Chico is very fast and a very good team. Much better than their #22 ranking would indicate. We came out fast and got up 3-0, but Chico came back. It was pretty much neck and neck the entire game, until Oregone went up by 4 in the fourth quarter. Chico was able to come back due to a series of man ups for them. It was definately an intense game. Looking forward to tomorrows game (and of course Sunday is going to be amazing)

[Dan Wishengrad]

Thanks for the report JT. I had been waiting here not so patiently for the score. How many saves did the goalies have tonight, any idea?

PS The PNCLL moves to 3-1 against the WCLL in 2005. Whodathunkit?

[Timbalaned]

Both goalies played really well. If it weren't for them, the outcome would have been probably around the same, a 1 or 2 goal difference, but at about 15-16 or so. There was a lot of ringing pipes though too for us.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Great to see that Oregon took care of business tonight. . .hopefully SFU can hold up their end tomorrow. It would be great to see the PNCLL take another game from a quality WCLL team. Good luck to the Clan tomorrow.

[woulax4]

Western Oregon beat Lewis & Clark 8-6

[Dan Wishengrad]

Congrats to the WOU Seawolves on their first win!

[Another Dumb Jock]

I can attest to that! Blake and Nate both made some outstanding saves. Chico’s #25 is the best long pole defense that I have faced in the entire USLIA, destroying my chances of for doing anything helpful for my team the entire game; he is also a very good sportsman, which is less than I can say for the rest of the team. The feeling on the field was kinetic from the minute Chico walked onto the field. Both teams wanted the W creating a game of hard hits, lots of fans (we had over 100 fans on the sideline), and double teams that caught our offence off guard. All of Oregon’s top talents were getting rushed hard on defense creating ground balls to beat the band. And I thought our team pressured the ball. What a game, my knees are still shaking!