WCLL week 4, Post scores, comments, discussions here

[Dan Wishengrad]

12-6 Stanford over USC

Def. didn't see that coming after the games that USC had already played.

Stanford is solid this year, Coach Virk has them playing very disciplined lacrosse. They were the biggest surprise, at least from my perspective, at the Pac-10 Shootout. The Cardinal should not be overlooked in the WCLL playoff chase in '08.

Good tourney down at UCLA. Thanks to Will Madrid, and to Jacques and Carlo and all the Bruins coaches, staff and players for hosting the event. We plan to make this an annual event, and hope to have all ten teams participate next season.

[bhsvideodad]

Was that #2 who scored?
Compressing video for youtube is an art in itself.
Thanks for the clips.
bhsvideodad

[CATLAX MAN]

Was that #2 who scored?

Looked like it was #9, David Parker, to me.

[Ravaging Beast]

We had a very big week in the WCLL last week. I have a few thoughts about the games.

First, Texas A&M did a lot better than I had originally thought. They can definitely use their two wins and "close" loss to Sonoma in their hunt for Nationals. While they didn't play the best WCLL teams, they did beat two mid-level teams.

Cal Poly was the biggest surprise to me. I had talked with Coach Meyers in the off-season, and he seemed very excited about the team. Seth Kweller is making a big name for himself in the WCLL. It blows me a way that they were able to play ASU so close and beat Arizona in Arizona. That is no easy task.

UCSB didn't have their best week of the season, but losing to BYU shouldn't hurt them too much. I have seen the Gauchos three times this season, and they continue to get better every game. They have a lot of young players who see a considerable amount of playing time. The rookies are starting to figure out the fast pace of college lacrosse. The BYU game was a good wakeup call.

The PAC-10 shootout is a great idea. Hopefully they can get all 10 for next year. I didn't follow those games that closely, but Stanford seemed to make some noise and I think that is in large part due to the coaching change.

That brings me to my final point. Chapman has found that missing link that has been eluding them for the past 7 years. COACHING! No one has come out and said it, but that is the main change from last season. No offense to Chad Donnely. He is a great recruiter, but I couldn't figure out how they weren't more successful with the players they had. They just needed a better coach. Hopefully Coach Wood is the answer to that. As far as expectations for that game. I don't think Chapman was that much of an underdog. They were ranked way too low, they were fresh, and they have had ideal practicing conditions for the past two months. This is not meant to take away from their win. I just think they were improperly ranked to start the season. I also believe they can beat BYU again later in the season. In the past, they have had big wins like this and then forgotten that they have the rest of the season to play. They have a week off then they have to play "The New Chapman" (USC) then an improved and dangerous SDSU. Don't fall asleep Chapman.

[Theflow]

Good points about Chapman. The new coach is fitting into the program very well, and the team has rallied around the changes. However, this was a house that Chad built, as well as the other coordinators and assistants that have been on the staff now for 3-4 years, 3 out of 4 that Chad hired. They all had a hand in the recruiting and in the building of this up and coming team. Every coach on that Chapman sideline last saturday was excited to see a team with so much potential finally show what all of that talent can do. There is no question that every game that they have left this season is just as important as the big one against BYU.

[SoCalLaxDoctor]

Fair assessment of Stanford and the tourney from what I saw of it. Stanford and USC seem to be very similar teams and equally well coached. I think the format was challenging for young teams which both seem to be. Both teams seemed to rely heavily on their athleticism and lacked a bit in the skills department. Too many balls on the ground unforced. Depth of seasoned talent also seemed to be an issue for both teams. Over all the talent out west is definitely on the rise. Congrats to Chapman too. Had to juggle the tourney and the Chapman BYU game. Saw some great lacrosse. Those kids worked hard all game. I believe Chapmans main guns saw the field the entire night and showed some great conditioning. If Chapman has the depth everyone says, then they could go very far this season.I wouldn't be suprised to see a Chapman BYU rematch in Texas. Kudos to the Chapman Coaching staff

12-6 Stanford over USC

Def. didn't see that coming after the games that USC had already played.

Stanford is solid this year, Coach Virk has them playing very disciplined lacrosse. They were the biggest surprise, at least from my perspective, at the Pac-10 Shootout. The Cardinal should not be overlooked in the WCLL playoff chase in '08.

Good tourney down at UCLA. Thanks to Will Madrid, and to Jacques and Carlo and all the Bruins coaches, staff and players for hosting the event. We plan to make this an annual event, and hope to have all ten teams participate next season.

[titanlax]

There is no question that every game that they have left this season is just as important as the big one against BYU.

If they play how they did on Saturday, Chapman will have no trouble being the WCLL DI Champions.

MARCUS WOODEN FOR LEAGUE MVP

[CATLAX MAN]

MARCUS WOODEN FOR LEAGUE MVP

OK, we have our first nominee for overstatement of the year. You don't earn MVP based on one game. How about letting most of the season play out first? Besides, he owes the team a MVP-like season.

[CougarCrushers Anonymous]

Wish I could have seen the Chapman BYU game. I heard it was awesome. Super fast, clean lacrosse with shots that ripped pipe and in. Glad to hear the WCLL has some run and fun left in its blood.

[UkraineNotWeak]

If they play how they did on Saturday, Chapman will have no trouble being the WCLL DI Champions.

MARCUS WOODEN FOR LEAGUE MVP

I actually find more fault in the first assertion rather than the second. He is leading the league in points and has played like an MVP. If he keeps it up, I see no reason why he would not be in the running for league MVP.

Have you seen the other teams in the WCLL play? Chapman has been known to proverbially poo the bed in recent years, so while they are playing at a high level right now, let's not crown em yet. Another grade scandal may hit; injuries may happen; a defensive letdown over a period of games may occur. One never knows.

[buffalowill]

Stanford had a much better game than USC...
I really don't think you can assess coaching much when the Cardinal outplayed a team like that.
However, I think SC had a bad game and Stanford played much better Sat than they did Sun. Stanford v OSU was much messier.

That being said, the Bruins have their hands full night Friday in Westwood.

Did that make any sense? Going to bed.

[titanlax]

Have you seen the other teams in the WCLL play? Chapman has been known to proverbially poo the bed in recent years, so while they are playing at a high level right now, let's not crown em yet. Another grade scandal may hit; injuries may happen; a defensive letdown over a period of games may occur. One never knows.

i havn't seen them play before, except for saturday night; but if they can continue to play the way they were playing on saturday, ill bet the farm they'll be in Dallas and Marcus will be the major threat to all WCLL teams trying to stop them from getting there.

[Ravaging Beast]

Have you seen the other teams in the WCLL play? Chapman has been known to proverbially poo the bed in recent years, so while they are playing at a high level right now, let's not crown em yet. Another grade scandal may hit; injuries may happen; a defensive letdown over a period of games may occur. One never knows.

i havn't seen them play before, except for saturday night; but if they can continue to play the way they were playing on saturday, ill bet the farm they'll be in Dallas and Marcus will be the major threat to all WCLL teams trying to stop them from getting there.

There is no question that they will be in Dallas. The WCLL sends at least four teams every year. And it won't be hard for them to be a top four WCLL team. As far as pooing the bed, I've seen Chapman do it year after year. That is why so many people are so hesitant to jump on the band wagon. You seem to be new to the league or at least the message boards. You probably played with Wooden in HS or something like that. You can't hype a team or a player after just one game. You are going to jinx them. Just ask Rope No Rope.

[SoCalLaxDoctor]

I agree that it is way too soon to crown anyone champs or even assured of a trip to Texas except as spectators. Marcus Wooden is the real deal. He has the potential to be the league MVP but it is a long season. Chapman also better have learned from past experiences that one player cannot carry a team through the entire season ,especially with the high pace Chapman seems best suited for and seems to like to play. Lets see how good their reported depth really is. If Chapman has the depth to keep up the pace they showed against BYU and remains relatively injury free, I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if they take the WCLL> I havent seen every team yet, but I have seen most of the top rated teams and feel it is going to come down to Chapman and UCSB at this point Should be a fun one in April in the Tortilla Pit

Have you seen the other teams in the WCLL play? Chapman has been known to proverbially poo the bed in recent years, so while they are playing at a high level right now, let's not crown em yet. Another grade scandal may hit; injuries may happen; a defensive letdown over a period of games may occur. One never knows.

i haven't seen them play before, except for saturday night; but if they can continue to play the way they were playing on saturday, ill bet the farm they'll be in Dallas and Marcus will be the major threat to all WCLL teams trying to stop them from getting there.

[Hi-Line Lax]

just a thought (I didn't watch the game) but was Wooden even the MVP of this game? I can't remember the exact numbers, but it seemed like the FOGO for Chapman (Smalls?) was killing it. As a coach, he'd get my game ball.