MCLA
Ryder’s MCLA Extras! News, Poll + Predictions
At long last, the 2017 MCLA season is upon us! We’re only two weeks into the regular season, but big games are already coming.
For our first look in at the MCLA this season, let’s peruse the biggest storylines, best performances, and most important upcoming games.
Read All About It!
BYU wins a catfight
The Cougars took on Arizona in the biggest matchup of the first few weeks, and it was a doozy…if you’re a BYU fan. Arizona never got an offense going as the BYU defense choked them out from the first whistle.
While Arizona had the majority of possessions, the Cougars, led by freshman goalie Mason Moon, never allowed much to get going, and their offense shot super efficiently on their way to a 12-2 win. My preseason prediction was the BYU would be the scariest team in the RMLC, and this certainly strengthens their case.
After scoring 16 goals all season last year, junior attackman Tanner Johnson had 4 goals in this first game. Circle that BYU vs Cal Poly game as a huge one for predicting nationals.
Cal Poly’s defense really is its best offense
Speaking of the Mustangs, they started off the season with a league win over Santa Clara. The most exciting part of the entire game was early, because senior goalie Sean Phil, a contender for the best goalie in the MCLA this season, kicked off the scoring for Cal Poly. With a 67% save rate and a goal to boot, Phil proved he’s a force to be reckoned with this season, and Cal Poly will be too.
They got hat tricks out of midfielder Ryan Brown (no, not *that* Ryan Brown) and attackman Evan Hunter. The Mustangs are a bit threat, and this win gives them an early lead in the WCLL.
Florida State dominates in the desert
Florida State missed out on nationals last season. In order to give something for the committee to remember this season, the Seminoles traveled out west to Arizona to take on both UA and ASU.
— FSU Lacrosse (@FSULacrosse) February 13, 2017
In back-to-back nights against top ten teams, the ‘Noles walked away 2-0, looking incredibly impressive along the way. Florida State’s defense is really, really good. Junior goalie Anthony Cicio won the Commanding Performance of the Week after posting a 72% save rate in his first two collegiate starts, allowing only 12 combined goals between the two games.
Attackman Davis Goodman proved a force to be reckoned with as well, posting 10 points.
Watch out for Cal
The California Golden Bears were ranked 14th in the country to begin the season, but expect them to be shooting up the list after they dominated #11 UCSB last week.
— Cal Men’s Lacrosse (@CalBearsLax) February 4, 2017
In Memorial Stadium, the Bears beat the Gauchos 13-5, with Cal senior attackman Max McKone posting as many goals as the Gauchos. McKone, who earned the right to wear Cal’s honorary #4 jersey, looks worthy, and so do the Bears.
Next Page: Biggest games of the week, Predictions + Poll
Biggest games of the coming week
Arizona State vs Georgia Tech – 2/18
The Sun Devils’ defense looked fantastic in their loss to Florida State, but the offense couldn’t get it going. The Yellow Jackets took down #24 SMU, but Arizona State will be a much bigger test of their offense (which, so far, has been overpowering).
Expect ASU to slow down Georgia Tech, but Georgia Tech to still take the W.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 10, ASU 8.
SMU at Texas – 2/18
This could be an early-season preview of the LSA Championship. Texas has rebounded from a down year to become the favorites in the LSA South, but will need to prove that they can overcome last year’s champs.
The Mustangs looked solid against Georgia Tech, but they could definitely fall to Texas. I’m taking Texas simply because they host, and their confidence has to be high.
Prediction: Texas 12, SMU 9
Oregon State vs Arizona – 2/18 Pac 12 Shootout in LA
This game takes the top billing at this year’s Pac-12 Shootout. Arizona is coming off of a rough start, dropping two of its first three games. It needs a big win to rebound, and beating #12 Oregon State could do just that for them.
Oregon State, meanwhile, just downed #25 Sonoma State, but a win over a powerhouse program like Arizona could solidify their position as a potential top-10 team.
Prediction: OSU 8, Arizona 7 (OT)
Oregon at Chapman – 2/19
Chapman took down a ranked team in their opener, but they’ll have to improve their defense to keep up with the firepower the Ducks have this year. Oregon gets a rough starting game in having to take on the defending champs, but Cade Bailey, a DI transfer from Bryant, could provide a huge spark for the Ducks’ offense.
Chapman has plenty of high-profile tests to their undefeated streak, but this is certainly one of the bigger ones.
Prediction: Chapman 16, Oregon 13
Way too early predictions for the season
Final Four: Chapman, Cal Poly, BYU, Grand Canyon
Player of the Year: Sean Phil, G, Cal Poly
Next Page: Ryder’s Too Crazy Top 25
As the MCLA season rolls along and the top teams begin to battle, their positions grow clearer. Nothing is decided in February, but that doesn’t mean people, like me, aren’t watching. And I told you which ones to watch, right? Not convinced?
Anyway, remember back in November when I gave my way too early Top 20? Probably not, and that’s okay! I’ll give you something else to argue with! I took the Preseason MCLA Coaches Poll and shook it up a little now that the wheels are turning. Agree, or disagree, at least you know what’s going on.
Yeah, it doesn’t mean much. But it’s fun to talk about! With that in mind, here’s my updated Top 25 halfway through February.
Ryder’s MCLA Top 25
25. Sonoma State
The Seawolves won the game they were supposed to win (15-10 over UW), and they lost the game they were supposed to lose. UW received Top 25 votes, so a win against the Huskies away from home is solid, and losing to a Top 15 team (OSU) away from home isn’t a big letdown.
Record: 1-1
Next Game: Santa Clara – 2/20
Points Leader: Brent Tovrea (6)
24. New Hampshire
The Wildcats begin their season at Sonoma State on 3/12.
23. Davenport
The Panthers begin their season at Central Michigan on 2/17.
22. Minnesota
The Golden Gophers have already scored 76 goals in their first four games. Senior attackman Nick Abbot has already put up 11 goals this year, after putting up 16 all of last season. After a win over Minn-Duluth, welcome to my top 25, Minnesota!
Record: 4-0
Next Game: @ Michigan State – 2/24
Points Leader: Amar Batra (23)
21. Liberty
The Flames begin their season with East Carolina on 2/18.
20. San Diego State
Yes, I’m moving the Aztecs up for losing. Sue me. You’re expected to lose to the #1 team. SDSU is still worthy of this spot, but will have to face another top 15 team next when they take on Oregon.
Record: 1-1
Next Game: Oregon – 2/17
Points Leader: Jack Denis, Adrian Jeffries (5)
19. Texas
All hail the new favorite in the LSA South. After a year or two in the shadows, the Longhorns have stormed back to show that they mean business, and now have the fast lane in their division. A victory over defending LSA champs SMU would put the Longhorns firmly in the driver’s seat for the LSA automatic bid.
Record: 2-0
Next Game: SMU – 2/18
Points Leader: Noah Starr, Charlie Highum (5)
18. Virginia Tech
The Hokies played one game, and they won a scrimmage against Southern Virginia. While that’s good for them, we will await their first MCLA contest of 2017.
Record: 0-0
Next Game: Ole Miss – 2/18
Points Leader:
17. UConn
The Huskies begin their season in Atlanta against Davenport on 2/17.
16. Arizona
The Laxcats have got to be reeling after dropping two of their first three games. Their win over Utah Valley will help ease the loss, and they play Oregon State next. A win there will bounce Arizona back. Still, not a good start for Arizona.
Record: 1-2
Next Game: Oregon State – 2/18
Points Leader: Jerome Rigor – 8
15. UCSB
The Gauchos bounced back from their Cal loss by taking down #18 Stanford, which definitely helps ease the sting of that first loss. The Gauchos looked good against Stanford, so I can’t quite figure out what happened to them against the Bears. Last year, it took them a little while to get things rolling. They could do the same thing here.
Record: 2-1
Next Game: @ Cal Poly – 2/18
Points Leader: Wesley Kim – 9
14. Michigan State
The Spartans begin their season against Minnesota on 2/24.
13. Oregon
The Ducks begin their season against San Diego State on 2/17.
12. Arizona State
The Sun Devils put up a great fight against Florida State, and that counts for something. Starting the season with a loss has to sting, but there is still enough talent on ASU to bounce back quickly, especially with a showdown at Georgia Tech looming. This defense looks legit. Can the offense get it going?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tdy8uXy8BE
Record: 0-1
Next Game: @ Georgia Tech – 2/18
Points Leader: Jake Marthens – 3
11. Boston College
The Eagles begin their season at Rhode Island on 2/18.
10. Oregon State
The Beavers traveled to the Bay Area for a little WCLL double-header, and walked away 2-0. Their defense looks legit so far, holding Dominican to 5 goals and #25 Sonoma State to 7 goals. Their offense is yet to explode, but the emergence of freshman attackman Matthew Hockman is promising.
Record: 3-0
Next Game: Arizona – 2/18
Points Leader:
9. Colorado State
The Rams begin their season against Dominican on 2/19.
8. California
UCSB was a popular dark horse to make a run in both the SLC and the MCLA this season. And they still could, but what the Golden Bears did to them last week was impressive. Yes, Cal was at home and yes, they were ranked only 3 spots lower than UCSB, but an 8 point win over the Gauchos is a huge way to start the season for Cal. Put the rest of the Golden State on notice.
Record: 2-0
Next Game: USC – 2/18
Points Leader: Jake Lombard, Max McKone (8)
7. Georgia Tech
Speaking of the Yellow Jackets, they’re off to a 2-0 start of their own. After a tuneup game against Ole Miss, Georgia Tech took down the defending LSA champs SMU 14-9. That could mean that SMU is a quality team again this year, or it could mean that Georgia Tech’s hold on the southeast is slipping. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, for now.
Record: 2-0
Next Game: Arizona State – 2/18
Points Leader: Banks, Frost, Peterson (8)
6. Florida State
The Seminoles wanted to make a statement to the playoff committee, and boy, did they ever. Florida State headed west, played two top ten teams in back-to-back nights, and walked away 2-0, notching victories over #8 Arizona State and #10 Arizona. That should get the attention of the committee, and it certainly caught my eye. Look out, Georgia Tech, because Florida State could make a statement in the SELC this year.
Record: 2-0
Next Game: @ Auburn – 2/17
Points Leader: Davis Goodman (10)
5. Colorado
The Buffs begin their season against Dominican on 2/18.
4. Grand Canyon
The Lopes begin their season against Colorado on 2/23.
3. BYU
The coaches might’ve had Colorado over BYU, but I don’t buy it. BYU’s dominant, throttling win over Arizona to kick off the season showed just how scary the Cougars could be in 2017. The offense scored 12 on a good defense, but scarier was the defensive performance, who held the Laxcats to 2 goals for the entire game. BYU looks legit so far as a title contender.
Record: 1-0
Next Game: Boise State – 2/18
Points Leader: Tanner Johnson (4)
2. Cal Poly
I knew the Mustangs were led by their defense, but I still wouldn’t have had my money on goalie Sean Phil to chip in the first goal of the season for Cal Poly. This defense is still one of the best in the nation, and Phil will likely be in contention for the best goalie in the MCLA this season. Equally important? Cal Poly is showing a bit more firepower on offense so far this year.
Record: 2-0
Next Game: Simon Fraser – 2/16
Points Leader: AJ Guralas (8)
1. Chapman
The champs roll on with their undefeated streak. In a battle of former La Costa Canyon coaches, the Panthers took down the #23 San Diego State Aztecs to start their season 1-0. This game was probably closer than Chapman would have wanted, but a win is a win. The Panthers remain at the top looking down.
Record: 1-0
Next Game: Utah – 2/16
Points Leader: Simon Jenkin (5)
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