Happy Friday! The happiest day of the week brings with it another much anticipated weekend of NAIA lax. This weekend is headlined by three major interconference showdowns.
#1 St Ambrose vs #8 Benedictine
Date: Friday, March 25, 7:00pm
Stream: Benedictine Website
This weekend feels like it is the last real hurdle in the way of St Ambrose securing the regular season KCAC title and keep their NAIA national ranking. Having already beaten last year’s KCAC Champion Columbia as well as a talented William Penn squad, St Ambrose sets their target on the Benedictine Ravens. Benedictine is currently 4-3 on the year but remains undefeated in conference play.
A big factor that Benedictine must utilize to keep this game close would be for Bianchi to use his size on faceoffs to create extra possessions for the Ravens. Look for Benedictine to also implement their 10-man ride to force St. Ambrose into some challenging clears. The less possessions for a red hot Shakerin and St. Ambrose offense the better for Benedictine.
#9 Tennessee Wesleyan vs #7 Webber
Date: Saturday, March 26, 1:00pm
Stream: Webber Website
TWU comes into this game following arguably their biggest win in the last 5 years. Webber is currently on a five game win streak and is looking to entrench themselves as one of the AAC’s top teams and possibly one of the best teams in the NAIA. Webber seems to be in great position to finish third in conference and get a favorable matchup in the AAC tournament with a win here.
A win for the Bulldogs would keep them tied for first with Cumberlands in conference. I spoke with Freshman Hayden Harmon after his game winning goal against Keiser, about the mindset heading into this matchup with Webber. Harmon was solely focused on the task at hand and that could bode well for TWU.
“Great team win, jobs not finished. Dawgs are hot!”
– Hayden Harmon, Tennessee Wesleyan Midfielder
#2 Indiana Tech vs #10 Lawrence Tech
Date: Saturday, March 26, 5:00pm
Stream: Indiana Tech YouTube
“The Battle of the Techs” is one that most WHAC fans look forward to every year. These are two of the most prestigious programs in the northern region of the NAIA. These games usually come down to the wire, with three of the last four matchups being within 4 goals. The problem for LTU is they have found themselves on the losing side in each of these matchups.
LTU knocked off Keiser in a massive upset earlier this year, so I’m sure they will not be intimidated in this one. All that said, I still favor Indiana Tech in this one, due to them being the more experienced and explosive team.
