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Weekend Preview and Predictions!

There is so much sweet, sweet lacrosse action going on right now, it is making my head spin.  I will try my best to sift through the hundreds of games going on this weekend and make my picks on the game I think matter most.  This week we will be highlighting the MCLA games first and heeeeeeere we go!

Michigan takes on in-state rival Michigan State.  UM is the real deal this year and while MSU was once an NCAA Division 1 team, that trivia fact will do nothing to stop the onslaught that is the Wolverines lacrosse team.  Even if MSU were still an NCAA D1 team, I think they would really struggle with Michigan.  I like the Maize and Blue by 10 goals, maybe more.  Simon Fraser heads state side to play Montana and Gonzaga and while I don’t see either of these teams putting up much of a fight against the Clansmen the games are important because if SFU wins them, they will finish the season at 11-0.  I would LOVE to see a regular game between Michigan and SFU… maybe next year if they don’t meet in this year’s playoffs?  Either way, I like Simon Fraser big in both games Boston College takes on the remaining two teams in the PCLL 1 in Northeastern and U. New Hampshire.  BC should win both games convincingly but these are the next 2 best teams in the PCLL this year.  BU used to have a decent team but there has been some drop off since the days when Aaron Berkey stalked the campus.  The SELC tourney kicks off this weekend and will provide some great games so if you’re near the action, make sure to check it out.  California is 14-1 and gets mentioned rarely but I think that Cal will handle Stanford easily and take it to 15-1.  A sleeper team with only one loss? It does happen!

On the NCAA side of things there are some great games.  On Thursday Division 3 Cortland takes on St. Lawrence in a battle for upstate red and white bragging rights.  Cortland should pull out the W but it will be close and the Red Dragons young offense needs to produce.  If McKee hadn’t transferred to Duke, St. Lawrence would be a real contender… the kid is that good.  Salisbury will beat Washington College in their annual “War on the Shore” game even though they are already in the NCAAs with CAC AQ bid.  This game means too much to everyone for either team not to show up and play their hearts out.  Public vs. Private, Eastern Shore vs. Western Shore, etc.  Stevenson takes on Denison IN OHIO which could prove dangerous for Stevenson.  the Mustangs need the win to pick up a Pool C bid so I expect them to do so as Denison is pretty much a lock for one of the three Pool B slots.  Statement game either way for both teams.  Middlebury takes on Williams, who just beat Wesleyan.  Williams’ goalie, Gerbush played great and if he continues to roll it is anyone’s game.  I like Midd by 2. 

CW Post takes on Molloy and both teams are good with 1 and 2 losses respectively but I like Post to continue with their winning ways.  Merrimack and Bentley do battle for Division 2 Massachusetts supremacy.  It will be tight but ‘Mack will pull it out in the end.  NDNU plays a very competitive Seton Hill of PA on Sunday after taking on Mercyhurst on Saturday.  I am picking the NDNU Argonauts to lose to both teams as Hurst is just a better squad and Seton Hill should be more rested with less travel.

In the top division there is some great ACC action on Friday as UVA takes on Duke in a rubber match and UNC battles with Maryland.  UVA will get revenge after being blown out 15-10 by Duke in their last meeting while Maryland will beat UNC.  Until UNC wins an ACC game, I just have to continue to doubt them.  I believe the Finals will be on Sunday and no matter who wins the Semis, the Finals will feature one heck of a lax game!  In Ivy league action, Cornell travels to Brown and I still like Cornell unless Brown’s goalie has an absolutely huge day and I think Levine might so I’m going with Brown in the upset at home.  Cuse travels to UMass but I think the Orange will be too much for the Gorillas and Cuse will roll although these teams have had some epic battles in the past.  The last undefeated team in Division 1 is Notre Dame and they take Ohio State but I don’t think the Buckeyes will knock the Irish off.  I actually like ND to make the NCAAs undefeated but don’t see them winning it all this year, even with the excellent play of their keeper.  The biggest game of the weekend is only big because it involves Harvard and Yale.  Harvard is a good team and Yale is ok but when these two nerdy schools get together the battle and partying is ferocious.  I like Harvard at home by a few but the real winners will be the fans… as long as they make it inside the stadium.