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

[pokecheck]

just tell all the other teams to bring their flash lights and glow sticks to attach to their helmets

[Daniel Morris]

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)

Stonehill, although a smaller school, actually plays in Division A.

This is something the EB has been discussing in the past week. We would never force teams to play in one division or the other, but Bridgewater, Stonehill, and WPI, based on their size, are all classified as Division B teams. They currently choose to play up in Division A. But as NE, BC, UNH, and a couple of the larger schools with a larger student pool and in some cases, better resources continue to grow their programs, it is becoming difficult for these smaller schools to keep up. But Stonehill for instance has tremendous school support, great talent, is very well organized and mounts OOC trips every year, and would be a fierce competitor in the Division B. They could be Top 10 easy. I would hope that some of these schools seriously consider the move to Div B, to provide a more competitive atmosphere for their players and a realistic chance to compete for a regional and even national title each season.

[PSLguy]

Stonehill, although a smaller school, actually plays in Division A.

Just to clarify, by SSC I was referring to Salem State College who are in the B division.

There has been discussion of the "role" the B division should play elsewhere on the boards (and at the league meetings I'm sure) vis a vis a development or small school league. The mere fact that at its inception it was filled with perceived "weaker" and new teams may always sour it's image among teams that have been with the PCLL for some time i.e. BSC, CG, or SC.

I guess in my opinion if the B division served a "second division" type role with promotions and relegations to be fought over each year it would foster competitive meaningful games all year long at both ends of the standings. As Dan says SC would probably be very strong in the B division, by example teams in the English premier league who are relegated to 1st Division often get promoted again a year later. The difference is that once back up they often are clear of relegation as a stronger team. If a team doesn't regain promotion the relegation has served it well by aligning it with teams of similar talent.

I don't know if this would work in practice for the PCLL and it's doubtful it would be ratified but I think from a competition point of view it's a good solution.

[Tim Gray]

Salem 13
BSC 6

[More Cowbell]

BC 16
Stonehill 6

[Dan Warren]

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.

seriously, I might....I am getting killed on the other thread. I like coaching HS though, less overnight trips, which leads to less arguments with the wife, and leads to easily taking a trip with the boys to SD for the Sox/Padres in June. If I was still coaching at BSC, that would NEVER happen.

but maybe if they go Varsity

[Dan Warren]

but maybe if they go Varsity

by that I mean the $$ would be worth it.

[pokecheck]

any word on if BC NU is still on tonight?!

[More Cowbell]

Yep...game is on. Gonna be huge.

[More Cowbell]

BC 7
NU 6

Game report coming soon.

[Stonehillcoach]

Congrats BC. Huge win.

[tduggan]

Great win BC!! Congrats!

[janos]

Great Job BC!!

I don't mean to jinx BC, but the playoffs should be interesting. It seems that with the exception of last year, the regular season winner of the PCLL's two highest ranked teams ultimately lost in the playoffs.

2006 (UNH/NU) NU won regular season game and won the championship
2005 (UNH/NU) UNH won regular season, NU won championship
2004 (BC/UNH) UNH won regular season, BC won championship
2003 (BC/UNH) UNH won regular season, BC won championship
2002 (URI/UNH) URI won regular season, UNH won championship

Good luck BC and be ready to bring your "A" game to the playoffs!!!

[/u]

[SCLAX]

Didn't UConn upset URI in the '02 semis?

[Dan Warren]

Nope, UCONN upset #2 Seed Bridgewater 10-7 in the semis.

then UNH beat URI 8-6 in the other semifinal

and UNH won the final 10-4 over UCONN