Daily Archives: February 10, 2011

NCAA Div II Lacrosse: Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Is Formed To Include Adams State, Mesa State, Dominican Of CA, Grand Canyon State And Notre Dame De Namur

Posted on February 10, 2011 | 1 Comment

Seven different NCAA Division II institutions from three states have joined together to form the Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, which has commenced operations this spring.

 

 Five men’s and four women’s teams founded the association, which has the philosophy “to promote men’s and women’s intercollegiate lacrosse for the mutual benefit of its member institutions by providing scheduling and recognition opportunities,” as stated in the recently ratified WILA bylaws.

The men’s contingent includes Adams State College and Mesa State College, who are both sponsoring the sport of lacrosse for the first time, Dominican University of California, Grand Canyon University and Notre Dame de Namur University. Adams State and Mesa State, also new sponsors of the women’s game, are joined by fellow Colorado institutions Fort Lewis College and Regis University on the women’s side.

The teams will play home-and-home series with each of their fellow association opponents. Those results will determine the WILA Champions for each gender. Those institutions will then possess the WILA Cup for the next year.

The organization will also honor Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week throughout the season. Those awards and the post-season all-association team, which will be coined the “All-Western Team”, will be selected by a vote of the members’ head coaches and sports information directors.

A WILA Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and a Freshman of the Year will also be selected for each gender.

For more:  http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=WILA&t=c&s=lacrosse&p=NewsStory&newsID=4335

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MCLA Men’s Lacrosse: Week’s Top Games Feature #14 UC Santa Barbara Vs #12 Cal Poly, #8 Oregon Vs Cal Berkeley And Chico State Vs Stanford

Posted on February 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

#14 UC Santa Barbara (2-0) at #12 Cal Poly (0-0) – 7 p.m. PT, Friday

COYNE: One of the enjoyable aspects of the MCLA is there is there are games with massive implications before we even get to March. This is one of them. While both the Gauchos and Poly have a shot at their respective conference AQs, whichever team wins on Friday night will have a huge chip in its pocket to be cashed in by the committee if it ends up in the at-large pool.

Cal Poly returns a large amount of talent from last year’s team, including juniors Matt Graupmann (43g) and Scott Heberer (24g, 19a), and is a solid favorite to repeat as the WCLL champ. UCSB is expected to make a run at the SLC crown with another solid recruiting class, and the Gauchos have already raced out to a 2-0 start with wins over Cal and UC Davis last weekend.

I expect this game to be a close one, but the nod goes to the Mustangs. Not only is Cal Poly playing at home, but I have a feeling UCSB will need a couple of games under its belt before it jells to a point where it can beat a tourney squad like Poly. It’ll be the Mustangs, 12-10.

SCHOOLER: I think this is a pretty obvious pick for me. Cal Poly gave UCSB a great game last year and pulled off the win, but that will not happen again this year. UCSB already has some games under its belt, and showed a lot with the five-goal comeback on the road against Cal in the first game of its season. The Gauchos should never have been in that position in the first place, but they are young. The majority of their players are freshmen and sophomores.

Also, with the addition of Lane Jaffe as head coach, I think the players are scared to lose. I have never seen a guy so sure of winning. It even scares me a little. I see UCSB handling Cal Poly. I’m so sure of this that I might even take the trek up to San Luis Obispo and bring something similar to the Gator Chomp with me. Maybe their fans will head butt me, too. 
COYNE: This game is not going to be the slam-dunk some might think it will be. The Golden Bears were a relatively young team last year and will eventually give Cal Poly a serious run for the WCLL crown. Juniors Connor Thomas and John Hofinga combine for a potent attack, and Cal has a solid defense.

No. 8 Oregon (0-0) at Cal (0-1) – 3 p.m. PT, Saturday

Oregon will ultimately win this game because the Ducks should dominate the midfield and have the best goalie in the country in Nick Johnston. The game will be tight for the first half, but Oregon will pull away in the latter part of the game. Ducks win it, 14-8.

SCHOOLER: I’m not sure what to think about Oregon this year. The Ducks did not have their best season last year, or at least they did not live up to my expectations with the return of coach Joe Kerwin. However, being a Berkeley native and watching Cal in my youth, I have always had a place in my heart for the Bears. They gave the Gauchos a good game last weekend, but were unable to hold on for the win. They play on one of the worst fields known to the game of lacrosse. Why they continue to replace that green carpet on top of concrete baffles me, but I guess it is their idea of a home field advantage.

I see this being another close game for Cal. However, this time, the Bears hold on for the victory. 
COYNE: Texas State’s defense of its Lone Star Alliance title will face an early challenge when the Bobcats travel to College Station. Texas State had an up-and-down first three quarters against TCU earlier this season, but eventually put away the Horned Frogs, 17-8, behind an eight-goal fourth quarter.

Texas State (1-0) at Texas A&M (0-0) – 7 p.m. CT, Saturday

By Aggies standards, last year’s 8-8 mark was well below par, especially when you factor a home loss to lightweight Southern Cal and a road setback to Division II Sam Houston State. But A&M was a very young group that showed some signs of life late in the season, including a one-goal loss to Texas State in the LSA tourney. I think the Aggies are going to jump on the Bobcats early and hold off a late charge. I’ll take A&M in a Lone Star upset, 11-10.

SCHOOLER: I like this choice of a game. TAMU has had some great teams in the past, so it could surprise the Bobcats, who have only been good once, and that was last year. This would have been a much easier choice had climate change not engulfed our nation and dumped enormous amounts of snow on Texas and the rest of the country resulting in a bunch of game cancellations. So I will just have to go with my gut on this and pick Texas State.

 Chico State (0-0) at Stanford (1-0) – 2 p.m. PT, Saturday

 SCHOOLER:  As I mentioned earlier, I am a Berkeley guy, so it is not very easy for me to pick Stanford in any sport. But I have to here. Stanford is going to win this game and here is why: Drew Virk is a great coach, and the Cardinal returns its best players from last season, while Chico is losing a lot to graduation. I’m not sure what the Chico rookie class is like, but I can’t imagine them being better than Jack Farr and Jon Cerf. This was a close game last season, but do not expect it to be close this year.: Neither of these teams will be threats for Denver, but this is a good game because it’s not an easy one to call. Stanford is 0-1 after bowing to WCLL rival UC Davis two weeks ago, 9-8 in overtime. This will be Chico’s opener. There’s no info about Stanford (it has not input its stats from the game), but I’m going to go with the Cardinal playing at the Farm. Stanford, 12-9.

For more:  http://laxmagazine.com/college_men/club/2010-11/news/020911_schooling_schooler_the_season_gets_going

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Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) Division I Preseason Top 20 Rankings Feature #1 Colorado State, #2 Santa Clara And #3 Cal Poly

Posted on February 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

The 2011 Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) season is underway, and the league formerly known as WDIA boasts no shortage of contenders, starting with defending champion and preseason No. 1-ranked Colorado State.

1. Colorado State

The Rams have won two of the last three WDIA titles, but face a significant rebuilding effort. They do return goalie Annette Greenberg who played a major role in CSU’s championship run.

2. Santa Clara

The Broncos have a new coach, Jen Lee, and lost WDIA Player of the Year Krista Shaw, but they welcome back arguably the nation’s best player in goalie Renee Eligio and two other All-Americans — Gracie Binder and Maggie Burke.

3. Cal Poly

The Mustangs reached the WDIA final last year and will be loaded offensively this year with All-American Stacy Patch at midfield and senior Ashley Royer on attack.

4. UC Davis Club

Former Division I varsity player Jacklyn Taylor dominated the midfield for the Aggies last year to earn All-America honors along with Jessica Dresser. An OT loss to Cal Poly ended UC Davis’ quest to win a title in its first WDIA appearance. The Aggies will be a force this year.

5. Lindenwood

The Lions earned their highest seed (second) and reached the WDIA semifinals for the first time ever. Now they’ll go after a title behind returning All-Americans Justiene Groothuis, Kathryn St. George, Lacey Vatland and Katie Veile.

6. UC Santa Barbara

A quarterfinal loss to CSU ended the Gauchos’ championship hopes. All-America middie Ashley Antoon-Algieri will look to get UCSB over the championship hump.

7. Colorado

The Buffs turned some heads, upsetting top-seeded Santa Clara in the WDIA quarters last year, but have big shoes to fill with the loss of two-time All-Americans Amber Lister and Jody Weisenhorn.

8. Virginia Tech

The 2009 champ lost to eventual champ Colorado State in the opening round, but with three straight league titles, the Hokies have established themselves as a consistent force.

9. BYU

Standout goalie Maggie Warne is gone, but the Cougars have a serious offensive force in sophomore Brooke Smith.

10. Florida

All-American Kate O’Linn lit up the scoreboard in Scottsdale last spring with 23 goals in just four games at the WDIA championships. All-America goalie Adrianna Paidas also returns for the Gators, who also expect to get a boost from some former varsity players.

11. UCLA

The Bruins have graduated five all-league players, including the 1-2 offensive punch of Lauren Arinello and Hayley Wheeler (combined 321 goals the last three years), but junior co-captain Morgan Oberstein will have the Bruins in the thick of the WWLL race again. Four one-goal losses kept UCLA from Scottsdale last year.

12. Michigan

An 0-4 start at the Santa Barbara Shootout was too much to overcome, and the Wolverines missed the WDIA tournament for the first time since 2001. Leading scorer Samantha Zetlin returns to help Michigan return to the national stage.

13. Georgia

All-American Michele Manis was the top defender in the SWLL last year and played a pivotal role in helping the Bulldogs beat Florida for the league title. The junior captain will be the key for the Dawgs to make a repeat trip to WDIA tournament.

14. Boston College

The Eagles returned to the WDIA tournament last year and featured a pretty powerful of offensive threats that should return, including junior midfielder Catherine Crowe.

15. Texas

The Longhorns were very young last year, but won the TWLL and played well at nationals. With junior All-American Clayton Crum and sophomores Grace Jackson and Jordan Cook more experienced, the Longhorns look to make the next step.

16t. Pittsburgh

The Panthers have missed two straight WDIA tournaments, but played well against some strong teams, including a win over Boston College. With tons of experience returning, Pitt could be back.

16t. Virginia

Virginia Tech’s success has resulted in better appreciation for Virginia’s quality. The Cavaliers went 11-4 last year, including a pair of one-goal losses to the Hokies.

18. Minnesota

The Gophers finished 2010 strong, giving Lindenwood all it could handle at nationals before winning two consolation bracket games. Senior middie Lindsay Lewis might be the most dynamic player in the nation.

19. Arizona State

The Sun Devils would love to make their first trip to the WDIA tournament since 2005 a short one — down the road to Scottsdale. Last year’s 10 wins was the school’s most since 2006, and ASU played UCSB tough in the WWLL playoffs.

20. Central Florida

The Knights started last year 8-1 before struggling against the top WDIA teams down the stretch. Seniors Jackie Iquinta and Amber Jozwiak both earned all-league honors last year.

For more:  http://laxmagazine.com/college_women/club/2010-11/news/020111_wcla_division_i_lacrosse_preseason_top_20

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MCLA Div II Men’s Lacrosse: Northern Michigan Men’s Lacrosse Earns Split In Superior Dome Lacrosse Tournament (Video)

Posted on February 10, 2011 | 8 Comments

The NMU club lacrosse team split the annual Superior Dome lacrosse tournament last weekend, defeating the Northwood University (NU) Timberwolves 13-5, but falling to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-EC) Blugolds 11-15.

An inability to defend against the fast break was a factor in the Wildcats loss to UW-EC, along with bad passes, said head coach Matt Glenn.

“We started the game off a little flat. They got up on us by a couple of goals, but we were able to make the score 4-5 by halftime,” he said.

Date   Opponent Time Location  
FEB. 18   NORTHWOOD 7:00   pm OUTDOOR FIELDS  
FEB. 19   WISCONSIN EAU-CLAIRE 3:00   pm OUTDOOR FIELDS  
Mar. 19   Davenport 7:00   pm Grand Rapids, Mich.    
Mar. 20   Ferris State 3:00   pm Big Rapids, Mich.    
Apr. 1   Hope 7:00   pm Holland, Mich.    
Apr. 3   Oakland 1:00   pm Pontiac, Mich.    
Apr. 16   St. Olaf 11:30   am Northfield, Minn.    
Apr. 17   Carleton 1:00   pm Northfield, Minn.

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NCAA Women’s Lacrosse: Boston University Women’s Lacrosse Is Top-Ranked In America East Lacrosse Conference (Video)

Posted on February 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

The women’s lacrosse preseason poll is revealed. Boston University head coach Liz Robertshaw talks about the impressive growth of lacrosse in the America East

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NCAA Men’s Lacrosse: Video Highlights Of NCAA Div I Goalies

Posted on February 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

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