Claude Lyneis
cmlyneis@gmail.com
The Stanford Cardinal and the Sonoma State Seawolves meet in the WCLL Championship lacrosse game in Novato. Sonoma leads 4-2 in the second quarter and 6-4 at the end of the third quarter, but Stanford launches a comeback and outscores Sonoma 4-1 in the fourth to upset Sonoma 8-7 and wins the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League championship for the first time since 1982.
Claude Lyneis
cmlyneis@gmail.com
The 6th ranked Stanford Cardinal host the Sonoma State Seawolves in a lacrosse match to determine Bay Area bragging rights. Both teams are undefeated in conference play and Stanford has been ranked as high as 3rd this season. Stanford’s attack is anchored by senior captain attack Jack Farr, while Kyle Riddle leads Sonoma’s offense, which gets much of its scoring from the midfield. Sonoma jumps ahead in the first half and Stanford makes a strong comeback in the third quarter, before fading in the fourth.
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Tagged Claude Lyneis, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Sonoma State, Stanford, Videos
COYNE: Picking against No. 1 is such a fruitless exercise. You can convince yourself of about 17 different things that could happen to cause the upset, but in the back of your mind you know there is almost no chance of that happening. This is especially the case with a team with as few holes as Colorado State. It is further compounded when the team in question doesn’t have the necessarily requirements to exploit the opportunities that CSU makes available.
Long story short, as much I’d to see a good ol’ fashioned upset, it ain’t happening here. Rams, 11-7.
SCHOOLER: Until someone takes them down, I find it hard to pick against the Rams. But this will be a close game. And in a close game, anything can happen. Colorado State has been able to pull off the close victories over UC Santa Barbara and Chapman, but that cannot last. The Cougs find their groove again and take down the top team, 8-6.
COYNE: It’s always fun when a pair of teams with contrasting styles square off, if only just to see which coaching staff makes the proper adjustments to make sure their tempo prevails. Sonoma will want to turn this into a half-field snoozer, where every possession is a test of your manhood. Stanford will want to operate at a slightly higher tempo, but not a complete shootout, as the Cardinal doesn’t have the depth for that.
When viewed through the prism of contrasting styles, it’s easy to see that Stanford has the advantage. The Cardinal will never be out of the game even if they fall a couple of goals behind because ‘Noma’s bland offense doesn’t have the juice to pull away from top teams. On the flipside, if Stanford does race out to a sizeable early lead, the Seawolves will be in trouble. While they showed a little grit against Pittsburgh, Sonoma is not a come-from-behind squad for the most part. A late rally keeps Stanford on pace in the WCLL, 9-7.
SCHOOLER: Nobody has been hotter than these two teams this season. Stanford climbed from No. 20 to No. 2, but recently dropped down to No. 6. Sonoma has steadily climbed from No. 17 to their current spot at No. 10.
What impressed me most is that the Seawolves have not sat around at home. They went out and scheduled tough games around the county, putting their fate in their own hands. The trip to Oregon hurt, but the trek to Virginia really paid off and has prepared them for this game. The selection committee will recognize this and reward them.
Strong and, more importantly, smart defense from Sonoma will win this game. It is a given that Jack Farr (27g, 30a) and Peter Doyle (37g, 10a) will put up some points, but limiting that duo to five goals should do the trick. Sonoma pulls off the upset, 8-7.
Schooler’s Pick
SCHOOLER: When I choose my game each week, I don’t look for the one that is going to make Jac slip up. I try to choose an intriguing game that might otherwise be overlooked. These two teams are looking to shore up the three seed in the SLC North and South for the conference playoffs.
Neither team has taken the easy road. They both put together tough schedules and have held their own. I am having a tough time choosing one over the other, but that normally leads me to pick the home team. Since both teams have played well on their own field, I’m going with the Laxcats, 10-8.
COYNE: This SLC friendly is the calm before the storm for these two teams. Next weekend, Arizona will travel to face San Diego and San Diego State in a pair of must-win games if the Wildcats want to make the SLC tourney. The following weekend, UNLV squares off with Loyola Marymount in another postsesaon elimination game. Nothing is on the line Saturday, but building momentum will be key for both teams.
UNLV has an extremely thin squad with just 16 players on the roster, but they’ve acquitted themselves well this spring, making BYU, UCSB and Colorado State work for narrow victories. Arizona has played the top squads equally tough and the triumph over Simon Fraser is looking better and better. Playing at home is a plus for ‘Zona, but I’ve got a good feeling about this scrappy bunch of Rebels. Vegas, 7-6.
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Tagged Arizona, BYU, Colorado State, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Sonoma State, Stanford, UNLV
COYNE: Chapman was having trouble closing the deal earlier this season against Oregon and BYU, but the Panthers appear to have corrected that problem, rattling off six straight wins, including two one-goal triumphs against Arizona State and Grand Canyon and a two-goal victory over Richmond. That’s a big mental hurdle to have conquered, and should be a huge benefit once Greenville rolls around.
Speaking of nationals, depending on how the seeds play out, this could very well be a semifinal preview. Chapman’s speed out of the midfield will be where it has to make its money against Colorado, but the Buffs have been excellent at matching up well with talented middies and has been equally consistent quashing transition opportunities – always a Chapman staple. It’s going to be close and low-scoring, but I’ll be the Buffs at home, 7-6.
SCHOOLER: Coming off a fresh viewing on the Buffs, I think they are a good team, but not the third best team in the league. That position lies with ASU or Chapman. Call it SLC bias, but the Panthers will shut down the Buff’s offense. Colorado has scored seven, eight, and six goals against Oregon, LMU, and UCSB, respectively. One of those teams is not even ranked. So unless Colorado can turn things around, I think Chaptown takes this one home, 8-5.
COYNE: The jury is still out on these two teams. Both came into the season with a lot of promise and both have underwhelmed to this point in the season, so it’s appropriate that they square off on the Seawolves’ trip to Virginia. Both of these teams have struggled on big trips this year — ‘Noma couldn’t handle their sojourn to Oregon and the Hokies were humbled in Colorado.
Both teams will get a chance to scout each other out — Sonoma plays Richmond on Wednesday and VT faces George Washington on Friday night — so there won’t be any surprises. With a pair of decent defenses, this one will come down to who can find a way to score. So far this year, both have been weak in that department, but the Hokies have more untapped offensive resources. Tech, 8-7.
SCHOOLER: I commend the Seawolves (still hard to call them this) for making a trip to the east coast in March. Not many teams would do that. While it is a bit chilly right now, it is supposed to warm up for the weekend to temperatures similar to that of Northern California. So I do not think weather will be an issue.
The key for Doug Carl will be shutting down the high powered Hokies attack. So far this has not been an issue for many of the top teams and I put Sonoma in that category. Seawolves win, 11-8.
COYNE: BYU brings some traditional family values to the bacchanalia of Nick’s hometown with the hopes of getting the ship back on course after stumbling against Arizona State over the weekend. Meanwhile, Oregon is trying to build on its modest, three-game winning streak with games against Cal on Saturday and then the Cougars on Monday.
Both of these teams have jelled a lot quicker to this point than I thought they would and now they are both in midseason form. Mike Fabrizio (5.1 ppg) has filled the shoes of the departed Ted Ferrin for BYU while the Ducks have kept their usual balance between midfield and attack scoring. As such, this game will come down to the little things. The biggest little thing is going to be faceoffs. The Cougars struggled against ASU in that department and it showed on the scoreboard while Oregon boasts one of the top draw-men around in Trey Norris. Extra possessions will be the key as the Ducks win, 10-8.
SCHOOLER: I don’t know what is going on with these two teams. Both have some consistency problems, so I guess this will make for an interesting game. BYU has been slipping recently with the loss to ASU and near loss to GCU. That must have been a tough trip to Arizona. Oregon has similar problems with a crushing defeat early in the season to Stanford and a close win over Simon Fraser.
So I like this game as the game of the week. This is a defining game for both teams. The winner moves up and the loser moves down. Senior Matt Johnson has been solid for the Ducks while Mike Fabrizio and Jake Ferrin have been a solid attack/mid combo for the Cougars. This is a coin flip, but my gut tells me that BYU will pull this off, 11-10.
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Tagged BYU, Chapman, Colorado, Games of the Week, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Oregon, Sonoma State, Virginia Tech
Claude Lyneis publishes videos under the name bhsvideodad.
The Sonoma State Seawolves take on the CAL Bears in an important lacrosse match in the WCLL. It’s a tight game and after CAL goes up 8-6 in the third quarter, Sonoma storms back scoring the last three goals to upset CAL 9-8. CAL’s attack, Sean Hayden and Dan Cohen score 7 or CAL’s 8 goals while Sonoma has a balanced attack with their midfield carrying most of the weight.
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Tagged Cal Berkeley, Claude Lyneis, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Sonoma State, Videos
On Saturday, the Sonoma State men’s lacrosse team traveled to the campus of UC-Berkeley to take on the Cal Bears in an early season WCLL tilt. The Seawolves looked for some revenge after the Bears crushed their hopes of making nationals by beating them in the WCLL semifinals 10-9 in a double overtime thriller.
“We’ve had this game circled on our calendar since last year’s playoff loss to them,” captain Ryan Heidrich said.
The game was tied at eight going into the fourth quarter, but the Sonoma defense held the Bears scoreless in the 4th quarter and sophomore attackman Blane Sando’s goal with five-minutes left in the final frame would be the difference maker.
The game started off with the Bears controlling the first faceoff and sophomore attakman Sean Hayden scoring on a drive from X. Nic Scaramella would win the ensuing faceoff for Sonoma and senior Heidrich would tie the game at one.
Hayden would score his second goal of the game on a lefty drive from X to make the score 2-1. A nice outlet pass by Seawolf goalkeeper Dylan Fannin would lead to a fast break in which freshman Zach Swinford would find senior Matty Gillan on the crease to knot the game at 2. Turnovers by each team would halt the scoring until freshman Brad Bochesa found the back of the net late in the 2nd quarter to give the Seawolves their first lead of the game at 3-2. However, Cal would score two straight goals to make the game 4-3 at halftime.
“At halftime we felt that we needed to improve our clearing game and improve some sloppy play,” Senior midfielder Brian Ponzi said. “There were times where we just threw the ball away.”
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Tagged Cal Berkeley, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Sonoma State, WCLL
COYNE: Virginia Tech is a good team, and is the odds-on favorite to win the SELC title, but they are going against two hurdles this weekend. The first is the altitude. I know a lot of people pooh-pooh the concept, but Michigan went out to Denver three days early each time they went to Denver. That kind of tells me there’s something to it, even if it’s just psychological. The Hokies will be getting off their plane on Friday night and playing their opening game in Boulder less than 24 hours later. Not good.
Second, Tech will have to deal with Brad Macnee, Colorado’s netminder and the best keeper in the country. Last year, I wouldn’t be quite as concerned because the Hokies were scoring goals. They are struggling so far this season to produce on the offensive end, and that’s trouble against Macnee, who is probably going to rob you of at least four markers. Virginia Tech will be in this game because they are good team, but they can’t fight these obstacles. Buffs, 10-6.
SCHOOLER: Props to the Hokies for finally making a trip out West. The RMLC has the best teams in the league and hopefully they can steal a win in the Rockies, but I don’t see that happening.
You never know what you are going to get with the Buffs early in the season, but they pulled out an impressive win against the Ducks last week. Even with the return of Matt Giannelli for his final season, coach Galvin and his defense will be able to shut down the one dimensional Hokies. CU wins, 12-9.
COYNE: It wasn’t much of a trip, but the road win for ‘Noma against California was a big deal. It showed that the Seawolves could match some of the preseason hype that was surrounding them. I’m sure it also gave them a good confidence boost, along with a pivotal WCLL win. However, now Sonoma is on the brink of the Top 10 and is heading to play No. 8 Oregon on the road. I’m afraid it’ll have to prove itself again.
Trey Norris (70-for-114 on faceoffs) has been a weapon all season for the Ducks, and he should dominate once again versus the Seawolves. And while Cal’s Dan Cohen and Sean Hayden are a dynamic one-two punch on attack, Oregon’s Matt Johnson (16g, 15a) and Benton Souers (17g, 6a) have proven it against some of the top teams in the country. Sonoma won’t get embarrassed, but they’ll struggle to keep up with the Ducks for four quarters. UO, 10-7.
SCHOOLER: This will likely be the best game the weekend has to offer. I think these are evenly matched teams. I have heard a lot of good things about Sonoma throughout the offseason. Until they took down Cal, that’s all it was…talk.
The Ducks have a strong attack while Sonoma has a strong defense. So get ready for a battle. I see another overtime game with the Seawolves coming out on top. 10-9.
SCHOOLER: Texas came through Santa Barbara in 2010, but was too scared to play the Gauchos. They plays FSU instead, taking the W and setting the tone for their whole season. All kidding aside, I really wish I could have seen the ‘Horns take on the Gauchos. Three years later, I’ll have my chance.
I dog on Texas and the LSA a lot, but I actually have a lot of respect for the Longhorns. They have stepped up their game over the last few seasons and elevated themselves above everyone in the conference. The Gauchos have no trouble coming out hot against teams. Their issue is sustaining that fire for all four quarters. I can see UCSB going up early and Texas clawing back. But I have the Gauchos holding on for the 10-8 win.
COYNE: If Texas had pulled out the win over Boston College on Monday night, I would have been more inclined to take a flyer on them in this game, but it should still be competitive regardless. I won’t build up the suspense — UCSB will win — but this game, along with Tuesday’s matchup with Sonoma State, are important for the development of the UT program under new head coach Andy Garrigan. Not only does it put the program on a different plane in terms of respectability, but just making this West Coast swing will be good for a seed or two at nationals, regardless of the outcomes.
Nick has it spot on with the flow of this game. The Gauchos will jump the ‘Horns early, and then coast home for the win. UCSB, 11-8.
Coyne’s Pick
COYNE: Is there really a chance that this Cal Poly team can go down to Chapman and knock off the Panthers? Absolutely. I know the nine-goal loss to UC Santa Barbara sticks in everybody’s mind, but the Mustangs were neck-and-neck with Duluth in an overtime game and gave ASU everything it could handle. This team isn’t very far off. Plus, this Chapman edition isn’t quite as complete (yet) as it has been in the last couple of years.
If this game is played in SLO or even at a neutral field, I’m take Poly in an heartbeat. Alas, Chapman is traditionally a much different team at home than on the road, and that saves the Panthers here. Chappy, 9-8.
SCHOOLER: Chapman has had some crazy and close games this season. Take last weekend for example. They beat ASU by a goal then turn around and barely beat a lesser Grand Canyon by a goal. Earlier in the season, they crush San Diego then lose to Oregon. What team are we going to get?
While Cal Poly has improved since they were stomped by the Gauchos (you knew I would have to bring this up), they have improved. A two goal loss to ASU is commendable, but not enough to convince me that they can put together what is needed to beat Chaptown. Panthers win, 12-8.
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Tagged Cal Poly, Chapman, Colorado, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Oregon, Sonoma State, Texas, UC Santa Barbara, Virginia Tech
COYNE: They’re a little raw right now, but the Wildcats will be a handful in the SLC postseason when they have a little more experience. Much respect for making the trip to Burnaby, but the Clansmen will be a bit too much. SFU, 15-10.
SCHOOLER: Neither team has looked very good this season. All Simon Fraser has to brag about is a close loss to Oregon in a game where both teams played sloppily. But I don’t see Arizona winning this game. The Clan wins at home 9-6.
COYNE: If it doesn’t figure things out quickly, Chapman could conceivably be a seven-loss team in the regular season. Alas, Arizona State is an underwhelming team in relation to its ranking. Devils barely, 8-6.
SCHOOLER: Chapman has had a rough start, but they seemed to bounce back against UNLV. This is a toss up in my mind, but I don’t see the Panthers winning this on the road. ASU, 11-10. Possibly overtime.
COYNE: Oregon enters this game with the advantage of having Colorado play the night before against Boise State and having played tougher competition so far this spring. Will that be enough? I think it might be. Ducks, 10-9.
SCHOOLER: Colorado is the most intriguing team since I graduated. You never know what to expect with them. So I am going out on a limb here and picking the Buffs, 10-9.
COYNE: UNLV is no pushover, and the Gauchos have to play the Rebels the night before CSU. UC Santa Barbara was a long shot to upset the Rams anyway, and the schedule just made it even longer. Colorado State, 10-6.
SCHOOLER: Gauchos win 12-9 and take the No. 1 seed. Boo-ya!
COYNE: The Longhorns are staring at games against UCSB and Sonoma next week, so this should be a nice tune-up. Boston College will be playing its third game in four days, which can’t be downplayed. Texas gets a signature win, 12-9.
SCHOOLER: Boston College had a great season opener signature win against FSU, but from what we have learned, that Seminole team was not riding the success of past seasons. I hate to pick Texas, but I don’t see any other outcome. ‘Horns, 10-6.
Schooler’s Pick
SCHOOLER: What have you done for me lately? For Sonoma, that’s nothing. For the Bears, they played a great game against my Gauchos and Northeastern. For that, I have Berkeley winning, 10-7.
COYNE: This is a very important WCLL match-up and it comes at a point of the season that definitely favors the Golden Bears, who have played some of the best teams in the country already. The fact that the Seawolves are playing in Berkeley makes it more difficult for ‘Noma. Cal, 12-10.
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Tagged Arizona, Boston College, Cal Berkeley, Chapman, Colorado, Colorado State, Games, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Oregon, Simon Fraser, Sonoma State, Texas, UC Santa Barbara
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Tagged MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Schedules, Sonoma State
A major WCLL lacrosse game with playoff implications pits the #10 CAL Bears against the #15 Sonoma State Seawolves. The lead changes hand several times and each team makes a run at winning the game until CAL goes ahead with just 10 seconds remaining and then hangs on to win 11-10. CAL’s midfielder Daniel Cohen scores four successive unanswered goals in the third quarter to pull CAL back from a three goal deficit to a one goal lead. The teams will likely meet again in the first round of the WCLL playoff in two weeks.
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Tagged Cal Berkeley, MCLA, Men's Lacrosse, Sonoma State, Videos
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