PNCLL Week #4 (2/27 - 3/05) -- Predict/Scores/Discuss

[woulax23]

Beat you to it Dan Unfortunately i might find myself lacking in the game preview department, so i will still leave those wonderful honors to you and kyle

[Dan Wishengrad]

Friday, March 2nd
Brigham Young 7 vs Oregon 8 (at NDNU)

Saturday, March 3rd
Albertson 21 at Willamette 12
Boise State 7 at Simon Fraser 22
Lewis & Clark 3 at Whitman 24
Linfield 0 at Western Oregon 13
Oregon 13 at Chico State 3
Montana 11 at Gonzaga 13
Puget Sound at Western Washington POSTPONED

Sunday, March 3rd
Albertson 11 at Linfield 6
Boise State 11 at Washington 12
Lewis & Clark 2 at Central Washington 21
Montana 14 at Whitman 11
Oregon State 10 at Chico State 4
Pacific Lutheran 9 at Western Washington 18
Western Oregon 7 at Southern Oregon 9

Kyle promises he will be along later to preview the A Division teams and games. Let me just say that the Oregon sweep of CSU and 'Noma and the coming game with BYU to kick off Week #4 have put the PNCLL squarely into the MCLA spotlight. Big props to the Ducks for their success so far in 2007, and for the "buzz" they have created across the MCLA map. The Friday game should be very intense.

Montana finally hits the field for the first time in '07, tuning-up with an A/B game at Gonzaga and wrapping up the weekend with a divisional opener in Walla Walla against Whitman (1-1; 2-2) The Griz are not only favored to repeat as PNCLL B Division champs, but have also been anointed as the team to beat for the national B title. Sam Cameron (Bainbridge Island H.S., WA) transfers from Ohio Wesleyan to revive a college lacrosse playing career derailed for three years by a devastating injury. SamCam joins a Grizzly Attack alongside returning all-stars Townsend Hall and Zander Ault, and every opponent will have to figure out how to defend this unit to have any chance of beating Montana. Pick your poison! The Griz have a roster of over 30 players including both returning Goalies. Ryan Frey has graduated from close Defense to Assistant Coach, but UM has a healthy stable of long-poles led by Senior Kevin Flynn and converted Attackman Will Friehofer at Long-Stick Midfield. It is heady stuff being tabbed as #1, but with the honor also comes the reality that every team you play sees you as it's biggest game of the year, and wants nothing but to be the one to knock you off. How Montana does against GU and then especially at WC will answer a lot of initial questions about the Griz as heir-apparents to San Diego's vacated crown.

While Montana's debut may grab the B Division feature spotlight, there are some really great conference games on the undercard, with two of particular note. Western Oregon (1-0; 1-0) is at Southern Oregon (0-0; 3-3) in one of these big games as the Wolves welcome the Raiders back to PNCLL competition in a crucial B-South affair. The Wolves will increase their early lead atop the standings with a win, but would fall to third with a loss and a Montana win at Whitman. WOU served notice with a big opening win at CWU that they are a team to be reckoned with, and an upset of #21 SOU in Ashland would add a big exclamation point. But unfortunately for WOU the Raiders look to be primed. Southern Oregon surely learned some valuable lessons from the three A-Division opponents (and one NCAA Division II team) they have played, and played well. Having faced UC Davis and Cal will simply make SOU that much better against PNCLL B team competition, and will prepare the Raiders for the Montana game yet to come. But first things first. WOU at SOU should be a great game, as these two teams have built solid programs in a short time and now can get on with playing lacrosse in a really meaningful game which will impact the playoff picture.

The other big game finds #15 Pacific Lutheran (5-0; 4-0) up in Bellingham to take on #14 Western Washington(2-0; 2-1) in the biggest B-North game of the year. Both the Lutes and the Vikings figure to be playoff-bound, but earning the top seed from B-North (and avoiding Montana until the PNCLL B Finals) is the ultimate prize at stake in this game. The Lutes and Vikings know each other well, with a rivalry that spans the past decade and a half. Expect a close, extremely competitive game.

WWU first hosts Puget Sound (2-2; 2-2) on Saturday. A banged-up Loggers' squad fared poorly last weekend minus some key starters, and must get well in a hurry to have a chance at upsetting the ranked Vikes.

Good luck to all the teams. Time constraints are forcing me to start making difficult choices on what games to include here, and just typing this much means I am missing practice. Of course the rain is turning to snow outside and it's warm here in my room! Anyway, I'll try to talk about every B team in depth somewhere along the line, but just can't showcase everybody, every week. I hope you all understand.

[Mark Brown]

Everyone must admire the schedule that Joe and U of O put together!!! It's time to prove that you guys deserve to be #1!!!! Go get'em Ducks!!

[DontSpillDaBeansWish]

Everyone must admire the schedule that Joe and U of O put together!!! It's time to prove that you guys deserve to be #1!!!! Go get'em Ducks!!

Being from Oregon myself, I always like to see Oregon teams perform well, so I mean this in the best possible way. Oregon is going to have to step it up without their home "field" advantage.

[Blake]

I'm taking Albertson to go 2-0 this weekend. They took it to Willamette last year and almost got Linfield (It was 11-10 at one point in the fourth quarter). They will also be getting 3 starters back who missed the Western Washington game for ski nationals.

And I am in no way biased .

[Grizzly01]

Go Griz!!! And #4, be sure you go to class because I am watching you.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Everyone must admire the schedule that Joe and U of O put together!!! It's time to prove that you guys deserve to be #1!!!! Go get'em Ducks!!

Ducks earn a highest-ever #3 ranking in the poll, take on #1 BYU Friday night in California.

[Dan Wishengrad]

This winter of our discontent just goes on as it is snowing again at sea-level throughout the Pacific Northwest. This can add hours and hours of travel time and, if a team has to cross the Cascades during a winter storm, sometimes can prove impossible. It's been snowing hard the last hour here in north Seattle, but it is not sticking to the ground yet. There are accumulations of an inch or two in many places, especially at elevation.

PLU Coach Bubba Gutherless once got stranded up on I-90 summit for about six hours, with avalanches blocking both the path forward and also the retreat. He never made it to the Whitman game he was supposed to ref, nor did his crew mate in the car with him. It can get to be a travel nightmare up here in the winter.

Let's all pray for a couple days of warmer, drier weather before the weekend!

[TheBearcatHimself]

Congrats to the Ducks for their ranking! I'm not looking the gift horse in the mouth here, but they didn't get a single first place vote...maybe something to motivate them for the BYU game? They probly don't need any extra motivation on top of their superior talent, so go get em Ducks! Revenge for the Las Vegas Bowl!!

I'm taking Albertson to go 2-0 this weekend. They took it to Willamette last year...

In defense of my Bearcats, we had 11 players on that ill-fated road trip and I believe you were in net as well my good sir! I do not believe we will let our guard down as much as last year! In either case, good luck to the Yotes on their Westerly trip, I hope you make it across the mountains in one piece.

[Kyle Berggren]

Friday the #3 ranked Oregon Ducks will take on the new #1 team BYU... The Ducks will be without their home field advantage for this trip, they'll be in the Bay Area hosted by NDNU. BYU is touted as having one of their most talented teams in history, I doubt the Ducks will be able to roll over them as they did CSU the week before, but if they continue to ride well & extend their defensive pressure they may keep the talented BYU squad from getting too many long possessions.

On Saturday they match up against Chico State (1-1). They blew out a St. Mary's squad 15-4, & lost a close game to #11 ranked Cal Poly 9-6. They shouldn't be underestimated & we'll hope the Ducks can keep their momentum rolling & avoid a let down on Saturday. Good Luck Ducks!

Boise State opens their season against SFU at Mercer Stadium. SFU is battle tested at 3-1 & we haven't heard much from the Broncos in the past few weeks. They've been quietly waiting to start their year, & hope to make their first PNCLL playoff birth here in Tacoma this April. Their roster sports 4 seniors, but notables are back for the Broncos. Jake Misner finished second in the PNCLL A scoring race last season finishing with 5.2 ppg, while Zach Reynolds finished 9th with 3.89 ppg. The next day they play a heating up Washington Huskies squad. The Dawgs are 2-2 in the Division, including a 10-3 win over Gonzaga & a 18-10 win over Idaho. It's early in the season, but this game will have a direct impact on the playoffs in the A Division.

Montana steps off the concrete parking lot they've been practicing in & heads to Mulligan field to take on the Zags. The Zags opened up the season with a win against Whitman, but since have faced some tough competition & been on a 3 game skid. While this game has no direct playoff implications, both Gonzaga & the Grizzlies want to get on track. I'm excited to see how many goal attackmen converted to LSM Will Friehoffer (sp) will score or attempt to score the Griz, should be interesting. It's also Sam Cameron's debut back in Washington.

Oregon State is 1-1 in the Division losing a 1 goal game to Cal to go to 2-2 overall. They have 3 players averaging 3 ppg or more, & hope to get another win before the face off against their rivals the Ducks next weekend. Chico relies heavily on Junior attackmen Thomas Hower (#11), he is averaging 6 ppg in '07. If the Ducks can control Hower, they have a likely shot at coming away with a win as only 3 other Chico State players average more than 1.5 ppg. Of note for Chico, Junior Defenseman Matt Ward is averaging 1 ppg in this season & will look to push the ball across the midfield line when clearing.

Good luck to All PNCLL teams this weekend,

[Blake]

and I believe you were in net as well my good sir!

Nice to see that somebody thinks that would be an advantage . However, you are right. I don't expect anything near the game that happened last year. You guys will be much more of a test this season with your larger numbers, a win under your belt, and playing at your place. The game certainly won't be handed to the Yotes.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Congrats to the Ducks for their ranking! I'm not looking the gift horse in the mouth here, but they didn't get a single first place vote...maybe something to motivate them for the BYU game?

Well, Oregon Coach Kerwin is an A Division poll voter, and so am I. If the Ducks didn't get a single first place vote, then I guess it stands to reason that neither Joe nor I voted UO #1. So shoot us! hee hee hee

[TheBearcatHimself]

Well, Oregon Coach Kerwin is an A Division poll voter, and so am I. If the Ducks didn't get a single first place vote, then I guess it stands to reason that neither Joe nor I voted UO #1. So shoot us! hee hee hee

No disrespect intended of course to the good voters, my hats are off to them for they certainly have researched the other top teams more than I have. But either way, I'm sure UO would like to have ALL the first place votes come next poll! Good luck in their quest for national respect on top of what they have already earned!

[Mark Brown]

There are a lot of interesting match-ups this weekend. WOU is certainly primed for their first win ever against Linfield but it won't be easy. No matter how the teams look on paper, the in-state rivalries make for some exciting games.

Along the same lines, hopefully UPS has gotten healthy. If so, WWU better not be overlooking them before the big match-up with PLU.

#1 Montana hits the field to put the entire B Nation on notice.

Both the Lutes and the Vikings figure to be playoff-bound, but earning the top seed from B-North (and avoiding Montana until the PNCLL B Finals) is the ultimate prize at stake in this game

Don't get me wrong, I've voted for Montana to be #1 in both the polls that I voted on. That said, this quote bothers me a little. I guess that the eight PNCLL B teams playing Montana this year should just roll over now.

SOU is glad to be home!!!

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Mark,

we are glad to have the Raiders back in the PNCLL where they belong. . .and I don't blame you guys for having a chip on your shoulder - everyone seems to be conceding the PNCLL crown to the Grizzlies. . .

I'm a B division voter, and I too have them at #1. . .there is no reason to think they'll drop a game in the PNCLL for the first time in 3 years. . . but there was no reason to think Oregon would BLOW OUT CSU last weekend. . .that is why we play the games.

I think I can count on the Raiders not to roll over for Grizz. . .THAT game on April 7 will be one to watch. . .I won't be surprised if both teams are in the top-10 for that one. . .

Keep up the good work down there in Ashland. . .it's great to have you guys back in the Pacific Northwest.