Sleepers

[WouMiddie]

So we all know that Montana is gonna be good again next year, and the same pretty much goes for Western Washington, an PLU is usually a safe bet as well, but i was just wonderin who people think might be next years Southern Oregon, a team that needs maybe one or two good players to put them over the edge next year. Im not saying it wont be Southern again, but just wondering who people think might come out of the woodwork to shock a few teams next year and make a run at the final four.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

If I had to pick a sleeper--someone not involved in the Final Four in 2006-- and I know this is probably an easy pick. . . I would pick Linfield. They are extremely well coached and their location allows them to draw players from the talent-rich Portland area. If they get a couple strong freshmen in next year, I see Linfield as a team who could definitely find their way back to the final four in 2007. . .

[Blake]

Cody returning, second team FOGO returning, I'm being replaced by a very good freshman from the same high school, plus a couple of key midis being picked up in the recruiting class. My call: Albertson to the playoffs next season.

Sure wish I had one more year!

[Hi-Line Lax]

As I see it, there are two factors to getting better...getting more organized & getting better players. In my experience the two fall hand in hand, so the team leaders that are out there now are the ones that will be dangerous next season....but a good recruiting class could really swing it for anyone. What seems almost certain is that there will be somebody who surprises us next spring...but I'm not going to make any predictions.

[WouMiddie]

blake id be inclined to agree with u accept for a few things. when i watched u guys play wou all those things u mentioned really weren't the issues. ure middies attack and goaly play were all fine. the one thing ure team seemingly lacked was long poles who could take the attack unit out of their game. this is just my opinion drawn from viewing ure team one time. either way if the divisions stay the same its gonna b a fight in the south as four teams are looking to b at about the same level next year.

[Lax_Stats]

blake id be inclined to agree with u accept for a few things. when i watched u guys play wou all those things u mentioned really weren't the issues. ure middies attack and goaly play were all fine. the one thing ure team seemingly lacked was long poles who could take the attack unit out of their game. this is just my opinion drawn from viewing ure team one time. either way if the divisions stay the same its gonna b a fight in the south as four teams are looking to b at about the same level next year.

I hope they teach you better spelling that you displayed in your posting at the college you attend!!! LOL

[WouMiddie]

Good one, I hope they teach you better grammar THAN you displayed. I don't really know what comments about my spelling have to do with the topic at hand, but cool.

[Hi-Line Lax]

That was some poor grammar...although I agree with the thought. Albertson's weakness was in their longpoles, not the middies, goal or attack. That being said, that's huge for them to pick up what sounds like another great goalie. I'm also a little curious about their coaching situation for next year...perhaps Blake could shed some light.

[lincoln02]

So we all know that Montana is gonna be good again next year, and the same pretty much goes for Western Washington, an PLU is usually a safe bet as well, but i was just wonderin who people think might be next years Southern Oregon, a team that needs maybe one or two good players to put them over the edge next year.

we've got 'em.

by the time the league games start, we will have the experience.

it's going to be a salty season for southern.

[Blake]

Were our long-poles the best? Certainly not. However, our situation was an interesting one. #7, Matt Gier, was actually a fantastic long pole. He played with me in high school and was the guy who started the program. He helped convince me to transfer from Utah. However, the other two guys, Bo Bahr and Chris Bengtson, were first year players. I thought the two of them did very well for their first year. They played pretty good body, but their only problem was controlling the ball after we got it on the ground. Other teams DESTROYED us in ground balls on the defensive side of the field.

Our real problem was actually midis in a sense, but not with their talent, just numbers. A few of you probably saw us in one of our "iron-man" games, where we did not have any subs (or maybe an extra long-pole). While we took a lot of pride in our ability to play a game with so few players, it really hurt our midi defense. Many times they did not have the legs to get back down the field, and if they did, often times they did not have the legs to slide effectively. Albertson picked up a few midis out of the high school ranks, which should help tremendously. They have also finally convinced a couple of soccer players to join the squad, so the numbers issue is slowly being resolved.

Finally, the coaching situation is a tricky one. Albertson will have a coach, no doubt. They have one guy waiting in the wings if needed (who I actually really like and would be happy to see on the sidelines if the following situation doesn't work out), but Paul Akulschin, who coached us during our probationary year in the PNCLL only to be transferred to Seattle for his real job is looking to transfer back. If that happens a guy with experience and patience will be back on the side-lines for the Yotes.

So again, I think some of you were on the right track, but when all is said and done I believe numbers was really the thing that killed us. Our poles can only play man down for so long waiting for the mid, and the body play of our long poles couldn't quite make up for the lack of sticks, but that will remedy itself I believe.

Sorry for the length, but any excuse to get away from work. The real world sucks.

[Juergy]

Wow, look at SOU. Sill cocky. You guys may be good, but you make very few friends and certainly lack class. Or maybe it is just this one pinheaded rep. Whatever. Austrian beergardens rock.

[rocky13]

I'll say its the one rep...Most of the players try to stay classy, maybe a little cocky but you gotta believe in yourself if you wanna win.

[lincoln02]

at least this pinhead rep plays chris.

have another beer and i'll see you next season.

heckel me all you want when we play...

... if schmitty schedules us next season.

doubt we'll be a part of your early schedule warm-up this year.

sTill cocky,

julian

[Juergy]

Hey Julian, GFY. Hope you are still cheering from the sidelines as a 50 year old reliving glory days.

Keep it real in the USA. Don't do too much meth down in Ashland.

Auf Wiedersehn.

[lincoln02]

wow.

point: chris.

your eloquence never fails to impress my friend.

and meth?

c'mon buddy, that's rather sophomoric.

... as for those glory days, they have yet to come.

let's cut out this internet $#!T, enough is enough.

i stand by my point that you don't play.

love always,

julian