Sections: Day 4
Well, I am sure you are wondering where the posts about day 2 and day 3 are. Yeah, I didn’t post. I was waiting for some legitimate action to complete so I had something interesting to write about amongst an onslaught of 20-0 section games.
I will say it, these games stink. Both sides. Having to tell your guys to not score halfway through the game is just unfortunate. Being a team that knows they are going to get killed and basically just showing up without any desire to be there or try stinks, too. I, personally, have been on both ends of it as a coach and it’s hard no matter what. You want to respect the game but it’s also the playoffs. You have to shave your roster down to 24, so, you don’t have JV call ups to throw in there.
Unfortunately, this is how playoffs are structured, and there probably isn’t a perfect answer to solve it right now, so, we just have to go through these lopsided games as best we can with class and dignity.
All of that being said… we did have a couple interesting scores last night to note
New Prague 19 v Mankato 12: As mentioned in the last article, I thought this game had some appeal as it was a rematch from an overtime game just last week. Well, the Trojans decided to flip the script and give us our first section “upset” as the 5 seed with a score of 19-12. I did not see this game or see any stats, so, not sure what happened, but, tip of the cap to NP, they will move on to face Lakeville North in the section 1 semi’s on Saturday.
Wayzata 16 v Rogers 4: I thought maybe, just maybe, Rogers would be able to keep this one close as they had been playing pretty good lacrosse the last couple weeks, but, Wayzata also is playing their best lacrosse and showed their strength in a 16-4 win. The Trojans have had the defense since last year and I think as soon as their offense caught up, they would become a really tough team, which, seems to be happening. They only lose one senior. Watch out, next year, Lake Conference. They will move on to face BSM in the section 5 semi’s.
Elk River/Zimmerman 10 v Providence 8: As the #2 seed, you’d expect a much wider margin of victory so tip of the cap to the Lions for giving Elk River all they could handle. This game was 6-2 Providence at halftime! ER/Z was able to rally and outscore the Lions 8-2 in the second half to win. The Elks move on to face STMA in the section 8 semi’s. STMA has been playing their best lacrosse of the season in the last two weeks, so, this should be an interesting matchup.
From Today (early games Thursday afternoon - is school already out in those communities?)
Woodbury 13 v Hastings 4: Sounds like this game was tightly contested for 3 quarters and Woodbury pulled away at the end of the 3rd and 4th quarter. Sources say that Hastings received a 2 minute Non-Releasable penalty when the score was 6-4 Woodbury, in which the Royals scored 5 goals on to seal the game.
STA 15 v TriMAC 7: Well, I guess that settles the debate on if tough scheduling matters. It’s worth noting, TriMAC had an amazing season and I hope this run springboards them into program growth and success. But, there is just another speed that the top 15ish teams in the state play at. If you aren’t playing in those games repeatedly over the season, it can be difficult to adjust to. The speed in transition and between the boxes, the inability to just run down the middle of the defense to score, the ball movement and cutting on offense. It’s just another level. Again, hat tip to the Blackhawks for their great season… STA looks to be a tough out in section 3. Should be a couple fun games coming up in that section.
