PCLL Week 8 (4/10-4/6) - Predict, Report, Discuss

[Tim Gray]

Tue 10-Apr
Boston College @ Stonehill 7:30pm
New Hampshire @ Boston University 8:00pm
New Haven @ Univ. of Mass. - Amherst 7:00pm

Wed 11-Apr
Salem State @ Bridgewater 5:00pm

Thu 12-Apr
Rhode Island @ Stonehill 7:00pm
Northeastern @ Boston College 8:00pm

Fri 13-Apr
Wake Forest @ Boston College 1:00pm
Salem State @ WPI 7:00pm
New Hampshire @ Connecticut 8:30pm
Bridgewater @ Boston University 9:30pm

Sat 14-Apr
Northeastern @ Rhode Island 1:00pm
New Hampshire @ Coast Guard 2:00pm
Wake Forest @ Stonehill 7:00pm
New Haven @ Grove City TBA
Framingham @ Maine 3:00pm

Sun 15-Apr
Wake Forest @ Boston University 8:00am
Coast Guard @ Bridgewater 2:00pm
Connecticut @ Boston College 2:00pm
Salem State @ Central Connecticut 2:00pm
New Haven @ Carnegie Mellon 3:00pm

[Dan Wishengrad]

Whatever happened to the BC-URI make-up game? When will it be played?

[Tim Gray]

Whatever happened to the BC-URI make-up game? When will it be played?

I believe that's still being worked out

[NKlaxguy]

I believe UConn/BC is now 2:00pm

[More Cowbell]

2:00 is right for BC/UConn

[PSLguy]

Seems like this week has some of the most significant games of the year regarding the PCLL. I think these matchups have the most implications:

BC vs NU is obvious- I can't call this one either way. Both squads played aggressive OOC and produced. Needless to say I would think it would be close with moderate scoring (20 total goals at the high end). With this game happening early in the playing week I think either team could get ambushed by good competition in URI and possibly streaking Uconn respectively (BC with games everyday except friday) if they aren't careful

Speaking of Uconn, they face their first real tests against the traditional favorites in the league. Uconn in past years has always looked impressive early and against the lower echelon of the league. But in years past despite some close scores and upsets here and there they've failed to produce against the top squads. It'd be nice to see this team finally break through. That said, it's tough to call that UNH-UConn game. UNH is having a tough season but they've had better competition coming into this game (nice to see them play OOC!). I see UConn losing a close one. But an upset certainly is possible. Filling out UConn's week I see them being competitive against BC. The eagles have a very busy week and may be showing some wear by sunday.

UNH certainly has a chance to build up some momentum for the playoffs and their season is by no means a write-off despite the early woes. Finishing strong would be a start.


Is URI on the rebound? The BC game would have been a good indicator but after a postponement on top of a light week will they be well rested or rusty? Fortunately for them they get a chance to kick the tires against stonehill before their match with NU. Sentimentally I'd like to see 2W's this week but I think a W and a good showing loss against NU is more likely.

At the other end of things Bridgewater vs SSC intrigues me. BSC seems to be back where they were 6 or 7 years ago. That is, poorly organized and racking up bad losses. Years like this can really kill interest in a program I hope that won't be the case. SSC is the class of B division and going by momentum alone it seems like they could pull out wins against several of the poorer teams in A division.

As food for thought maybe the PCLL should consider a relegation system (maybe they have, just throwing it out there)(a la european soccer leagues) this would encourage good competitive meaningful games at both end of the standings. (assuming the best B teams are indeed on par with the bottom of the A which admittedly has not been established)

[NUlaxN17]

I have to say I agree with most of what PSL said. BC vs. NU is always a battle and the game is definitely a potential decider in the league winner. The overall scoring might be low, but I think it still has potential to be lopsided. NU has been blowing out most of the teams in this league with their starters and second stringers only playing a quarter or a half and sometimes not at all. If you look at the box score from the NU v. BSC game, 17 players on NU had atleast 1 pt. and 13 scored goals. This could say a lot about either team, but the point being is I think it's going to be interesting to see a game where it's likely that all the first string NU guys will play for more than 15 minutes.

I would say that URI has definitely improved, but I don't think it's possible to judge just how good they are until they play some tougher competition. A W against Stonehill is definitely likely, but I don't know if they will be able to hang with NU. A convincing loss might be a stretch there, but a team can always hope.

[Tim Gray]

It is definitely a pivotal week in the PCLL. BC, NU, URI and UCONN are all currently undefeated and this week could mean a lot for playoff seedings.

BC has a tough weekend playing four games in four days (6 games in 7 days) - NU, Wake Forest, UMASS-Amherst club and UCONN.

NU is coming off a weekend break to play BC. They haven't faced too much competition recently, so they'll have to come out strong vs BC.

URI - I've been waiting for them to break out for 2 seasons now. I think their core players are finally a bit older and have learned a bit more. The past two season they've been a good young team who seemed to be a bit inconsistent.

UCONN seems too, to be be getting their act together. They showed flashes of being a good team last year, as well as some inconsistent play. I could definitely see them taking advantage of BC's schedule and pulling an "upset".


PS - Next week UC-NU, URI-UC, UNH-NU

[NUlaxN17]

UConn definitely has a chance to do some damage. They've really turned it around in the past two seasons, likely due to great coaching and better organzation.

As Tim noted - the end of this week and then next week look to be the answer to most of these questions and statements. It's a good week for the PCLL and the possibility for other PCLL teams to get national attention and have an effect on national rankings.

[NKlaxguy]

PSL makes some interesting points, a relegation league would be an interesting concept, although I feel Dan Warren would come out of PCLL retirement rather then see his beloved Bears dropped to Division B, as he has made his feelings about Division B very public over the years. I do fear that the PCLL may be turning into a 'big 4' league and something may need to be looked at in the future.

I feel really bad about the Bridgewater situation, because those who have been involved with the league know that they were left for dead last year by a coach whom will remain unnamed. UConn also had this coach for a year, and we were lucky that we were able to rebound so well the following year.

As NUlax17 states, yes we have rebounded because we have become extremely lucky in the coaching department. However, we have always been a well organized team, this is the exact factor that allowed us to overcome the challenges of our ex coach, the same challenges that Bridgewater has not been able to easily overcome.

[pokecheck]

Can anyone answer how UCONN does with school support? I know the campus has a ton of fields and indoor facilities. do they get any priority access to these? Or does intramurals and varisty sports take away from their ability to practice consistantly? What about financial support?

After playing top teams across the country i have noticed that school support goes a long way in the development of a team. IE a player knowing he has practice at the same place more than twice a week.

Speaking toward for growth of the PCLL I think that UCONN is the team that facility wise is the best off. And in the near future is a few stud players away from being a great team.

[NKlaxguy]

We don't have a lot of fields at all. We have 1 grass field, depot field...Tim Grays favorite field. And our turf field. We rarely get to use the turf for practice. We can only schedule games on the turf after varsity has picked, and they also have the ability to trump us if needed. Intramurals has priority over us in every sense, we are limited to one indoor practice a week by rec services. Sometimes we resort to practicing in a parking lot in the early spring. The financial support is there, we get a good amount of money from the school, but facility priority not at all.

[Tim Gray]

We don't have a lot of fields at all. We have 1 grass field, depot field...Tim Grays favorite field.

LOL

[pokecheck]

wierd.....depot field is my favorite field too. All the guys from last years team still rave about it almost every day.

[NKlaxguy]

I bet. I think we are going to petition to hold the playoffs there next year...all night games. Just give us the AQ.