Weekly Poll Question -- 3/1/2005

[Dan Wishengrad]

2005 has already provided it's share of surprises. Which PNCLL story line was the most intriguing in the month of February?

[muchachojones]

Though they may not be the top story in the league this year, I think that both Western Oregon and Central Washington are two teams that are on the rise. Central has obviously put in the hours on the practice field and have become a competetive team in only two years. Western Oregon has already beaten L&C and narrowly lost to a up and coming Central team. It may be too soon to tell for Western Oregon but I think that these two teams will be competing for the PNCLL championship in the not to distant future.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Great question Dan. . .but I think from a league, and certainly national perspective. . .the SFU "upset" of Oregon in Eugene is the biggest story so far this season. Fraser has dominated this league for so many years. . .and finally were legitimately knocked from that pedestal last season.

To travel 7 hours to Eugene, knock off a ranked Chico State team and then come back the next day and beat Oregon in front of a hostile crowd?? Pretty darn impressive. The playoffs in Canada are really going to be fun to watch.

[PNWLaxer]

As a PNCLL fan through and through there was no way I was going to miss the triple header in Eugene this past weekend. And let me tell you it got more than a little hostile and more than a little bit of blood was shed in the three games. Lots of hard hits, plenty of great goals, tons of great saves and a real showcase of great University Lacrosse in the NorthWest.

[doylebrunson]

I cast my vote for SFU I think there close victory over OSU made a lot of people question their talent. SFU has seemingly changed there attack from a run and gun style of lacrosse with an over under of 30 points to a ball control system that has there defense allowing under 6 goals per game. In fact perhaps the goal totals in SFUs games so far is the biggest surprise so far this year.

[ZagGrad]

Ask me 4 years ago if I would have thought SFU beating UO as one of the biggest surprises/exciting moments, so far, in the PNCLL and I would have thought you were nuts. It sounds like the whole weekend down in Eugene was a blast and I wish I could have been there to watch. Seems like both teams are showing some respect towards each other on and off the field. Looking forward to Saturday...

[BearcatLax]

I think the most shocking thing (besides SFU's win over Oregon, which I voted for) is the fact that Linfield is in the B Division. As hard as it is to hype up our rivals, these guys are ballers. Up and down the field they are experienced and talented. They have a bench that seems to get deeper as the game goes on and I believe they could give every A team a game (now I'm not saying they could beat them all, but they did beat UW by 9 last year, right?) Considering that Willamette's greatest achievement this year may be playing a 4-3 second half against the Wildcats second and third and fourth teamers, I think that tells you just how good these guys are.

[Rowelax]

Well comming off last year I am sure that Linfield was due to be a suprise. Just only think they might of not even been in the league if it wasn't for the vote how it was.

[Da Wrightstuf]

I think that western oregon winning is the biggest thing to happen. I was going to vote for SFU beating us, and that is significant, but I think that the story of a new year program, many of which I've seen go 0-fer in their first year, winning against improbability is better than SFU's winning in a game where everyone knew they had a chance.

my 2 cents. and apparently I'm in a small minority.

Wrightstuf #40

[woulax4]

This is not just because I attend the school, but i think WOU winning their second game might have been the biggest story. What a lot of people dont know is that a month before the team started playing games no one on this team thought we would win a game. WOU came out this season not recieving a vote from anyone in the pre season ranking. They came out knowing that there was not a big name on this team, but felt like they needed to prove something to the rest of the league. I hate to take something away to all of the other "suprises of the year", but a first year team ranked 13th out of 13 winning a game and expected to win more I feel deserves these praises.