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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