PNCLL Week #5 (3/2-3/8) - Predict, Scores, Discuss

[Kyle Berggren]

Sorry for the delay guys, thanks for waiting....

Not too many games for the A division this week...

Saturday, in another country, the 1-0 Washington Huskies will make the trip to 2-0 Simon Fraser. Those are divisional records, and realistically the only records that matter. This is only a 5 game season for our A division, and if Washington can steal this game from the clansmen, our A division could become as confusing as the B. SFU is already in the league driver's seat, we'll see if they can continue it this Saturday. The 3-1 overal Dawgs have already taken a trip to the WCLL to beat Cal, but did lose to a Chico team in a mud pit that same trip. Last weekend SFU beat Chico in Eugene, but it was on turf.

Also on Saturday, 2-1 overall Oregon will travel to Spokane for the 2-1 overall Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Zags have yet to play a division game and Oregon started their divisional season with a loss to SFU. The Ducks are no stranger to winning and hope to get back on track with a Spokane win. Last season the Ducks beat the Zags 24-1, but both teams seem to be much improved.

Our last A division matchup is #25B Montana vs. Idaho. Idaho didn't make the score look very close against the Huskies last weekend, but all reports say the score didn't tell the complete story of the game. For a first year team, the Vandals could be very under-rated, but 6'3" freshman Townsend Hall (4ppg) hopes Montana can take it to the new Vandals. Good luck to all. Again, sorry for the delay.

[ZagGrad]

I'm going with my boys over UO by 2 or 3. Look for GU's defense to step it up a few notches and for some younger guys to put in some goals on offense. I can't wait to see this game...

[TheNino57]

Having Evergreen State drop out of the league really makes things goofy for play-offs since some teams will really get some help with 2 free divisional wins (I'm referring to the situation in which the two teams who have the best record who clinch their respective division get an automatic ride to Burnaby). Is the Evergreen win going to help WWU, PLU, UPS secure a bye for the Portland B-Conference play-offs?

Also to BearcatLax, a "Bearcat" as I understand it is a mythical enormous, ferocius, bear-like, wild cat. I hope that helps...

[PNWLaxer]

I think that UPS, WWU and PLU would have beaten Evergreen in regular season play anyhow, which puts all three right where they are now. The North division in my opinion is the strongest of the three B divisions. The bye to the Final Four is a definate bonus for the team that wins this division.

[Dan Wishengrad]

I think that UPS, WWU and PLU would have beaten Evergreen in regular season play anyhow, which puts all three right where they are now. The North division in my opinion is the strongest of the three B divisions.

I sure agreed with you before the season started, but now am less sure. The East looks pretty darn good with two strong teams in Montana & Whitman plus an up-and-comer in CWU. But who's to say that Linfield from the largest and consensus weakest division won't win the B title?

It's a six team race for the PNCLL B title the next seven weeks.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Losing the Evergreen games and receiving forfeits hurts UPS, PLU and WWU more than it helps us. Our three teams will play each other very tough, and Evergreen looked to be the easy victory for all of the teams, and a chance to work on some things and involve young players in an easy game. Our extra two divisonal games are against Montana and CWU - two very good teams. So our schedule, in the end, contains 6 very difficult lacrosse games and two forfeits. I'd much rather play those two games against TESC.

Linfield, Montana and Whitman will all make a strong run at the league title, but the North Division, with PLU, UPS and WWU is brutal- all three teams are nationally ranked in the top 15.

It should be a great playoff to see which of these teams will be heading to Blaine. . .or will someone else like CWU put it all together and pull off an upset?? It will certainly be fun to watch.

[Kyle Berggren]

I agree with Jason. We got lucky and got a schedule we liked, but then lost our first game against TESC. We immediately had to go to Portland to play a full weekend, and sort things out on the road. We didn't have any time to sort out our problems, and that starts the season tough. As far as having WWU, PLU and UPS in the same division.... I'm not trying to slight the other teams in the B division, but owe.. We have to play both of those teams twice. Then, Montana and CWU..... Atleast we know we have to fight for every single game this season. The PNCLL B has improved by leaps and bounds this year, not just because of the additions of PLU and WWU. If you're a member of the PNCLL B, I'd be pretty sure you're a part of what is most likely the toughest B division in the country. I realize that statement will get a lot of attention, but no other league is talking about 6 teams with legitimate shots at the title... and the rest of the teams aren't pushovers.... I don't think anyone really thinks they are going to walk into CWU and take a win.

Good luck to all of you guys. Be proud of our PNCLL B.

[BearcatLax]

Willamette is arguably one of the less attractive B teams in the country. But just ask Linfield how good they felt after their win last week. We beat you up and make you work as hard as any team in the country, so in that respect I think our B division may easily be the strongest top to bottom.

And Western Oregon already getting a win against an established team? That just cements our league's status that much more as quality competition.

[WOULAX21]

"Western Oregon Over Willamette 14-9"

Western will hold Willamette to 5 goals or less. Western's defense kept Central Washington from scoring any goals when Western was 4 man down!!! Beat That!!! Of Coarse the equipment penalties were embarrasing but the defense was incredible. Western Oregon in the double digits, Willamette held 5 or less.

[Tim Whitehead]

I was under the impression that you could never be more than 3 men down at once...

[Kyle Berggren]

I wasn't going to say anything, but I assume they stacked the box.... It sadly has happened when I was playing at PLU... Rules like that you wish you didn't know about...

[woulax4]

Well for one second we were 5 man down, because of 3 equipment penalties that all happened at the same time, a hit from behind, and a slashing we were 4 man down for a solid minute.

[culax]

three simultaneous equipment penalties? i would love to hear the details.

[Laxer206]

Well for one second we were 5 man down, because of 3 equipment penalties that all happened at the same time, a hit from behind, and a slashing we were 4 man down for a solid minute.

Ya'll was down 4 man down, then one penalty released but he was busy getting his shoulder pads on.....ya'll was never 5 man down.

[BearcatLax]

These Western players sure got some mouths on 'em. You guys ever heard of "Bulletin Board Material"? Guess not. See you guys on Saturday.