Preview: Rivalry Season

Photo by Jack Urso

By: E.J. Freeman | MCLA.us    

ATLANTA - The regular season is starting to wind down and that means we are squarely in rivalry season.  Over the next few weeks we will see many of our leagues most hotly contested rivalry games take place.  The rivalries really got under way last week with Montana and Montana State squaring off, but this week they start in earnest. 

Rivalry games are tricky; everyone obviously wants to win those games.  If one team is having a strong year and the other is struggling, the idea that “we can’t blow it against those guys,” permeates players’ minds. As a result, fear of losing can drive these players rather than a burning desire to win and that is when the surprises happen.  The players on the team that has struggle can embrace the role of spoiler and play loose and free.  It is that juxtaposition of the nerves and tightness of one side and freedom on the other that often leads to games being closer than one might expect or to outright upsets in these rivalry games.  One of the oldest tropes in sports is to throw out the record books in rivalry games and anything can happen.  There is certainly some truth to that as these sorts of cliches always come from something. 

When one team has consistently dominated a rivalry series and the other team finally breaks that streak there are few better feelings in sports.  The combination of joy in the win and the relief of getting that gorilla off your back is one that is unique to sports and something that will always be remembered by those who have been lucky enough to experience it. 

The tough thing about playing rivalry games late in the season is that you might see that same rival only a few weeks later in the postseason.  It is never easy to beat your rival twice, especially when those games are close together.  Last season, Cal Poly beat UC Santa Barbara 17-13 on April 12 only for the two teams to meet again in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League Championship Game two weeks later. UC Santa Barbara took the rematch 13-12.

On Thursday we had two in-state rivalry games take place between ranked teams.  Liberty made their way to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech and South Carolina traveled upstate to Clemson.  The Flames looking to return the favor after the Hokies upset them last season started strong leading 2-1 after the first quarter.  The Hokies then took over and dominated the rest of the game winning 17-5.  Down in the Palmetto State, Clemson wasted no time in jumping all over South Carolina leading 5-1 after the first quarter and cruising to the 12-8 win.  We can add these two games to the list from last week of games that drew a considerable amount of hype before falling flat.  Over in the Lone Star Alliance we had an eye catching result even if it was not a rivalry per se; Southern Methodist hosted Texas A&M who was coming off of their big dominant upset win over Texas Christian and the Mustangs galloped past the Aggies 16-11.

On Friday we will have more rivalry games as Auburn and Alabama will meet in the lacrosse version of the Iron Bowl.  Auburn has owned this series lately, but Alabama looked much improved so far this season.  The Friday nightcap for us east coasters will be the most anticipated game of the regular season.  #1 Utah Valley will host #2 Brigham Young in a massive game.  These two schools are only a few miles away from each other and the players have been playing with and against each other since they were children.  As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt.  This game will surely have some juice to it.

On Saturday we will be treated to more rivalries.  Montana will face The College of Idaho in a matchup of teams that have played twice in 2022, 2024, and 2025.  The Grizzlies and Yotes are expected to be the top seeds from each region as we enter the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse  League and thus the favorites to meet in the championship game.   Florida and Florida State will tangle Saturday evening in a de facto play-in game in the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC);  the winner makes the conference playoffs and the loser stays home.  Georgia and Georgia Tech will play in the lacrosse version of Clean Old-Fashioned Hate; the winner will get the two seed in the SELC North and host a quarterfinal game while the loser will finish third and hit the road for the quarterfinals.  Arizona State and Grand Canyon will also square off Saturday.  The Lopes  have only won one of the last five games in this series, but you can bet they’ll be ready to play when the Sun Devils make their way to Grand Canyon from the other side of Phoenix.

Things are a little quiet on Sunday, but the rivalries will ramp right back up next week.

There is nothing quite like being a part of a rivalry game in sports and the bond that these games create between teammates.  So, take advantage of the opportunity to be a part of these games while you can, because they are fleeting and nothing else quite measures up.

This week’s guest picker is former Arizona State head coach Justin Straker.  Justin was an All-America player for the Sun Devils in the early 2010’s and then took over as head coach in 2021.  Justin guided the Sun Devils for four seasons including two trips to the MCLA National Championship presented by New Balance and a Southwest Lacrosse Conference championship in 2025.  Thank you to Justin for taking the time to pick some games and jumping into the hot seat.  Now, on to this week’s games.

#2 Brigham Young at #1 Utah Valley 7pm Friday – These two teams have seemingly been on a collision course all season.  They have held the top two spots in each poll so far this season.  These two rivals have played five times over the past two seasons with Brigham Young winning four of them. Both teams are averaging over 21 goals per game while allowing less than 10.  Utah Valley thrives on chaos and creates pressure for their opponents.  Jacob Lundin is winning over 80% of his faceoffs on the season for the Wolverines, there are very few if any defenses that can withstand that much possession from the Utah Valley offense.  Carson and Chase Bennion are combining to win 65% of their faceoffs for the Cougars.  Can they take a bite out of the possession advantage that Utah Valley has become so accustomed to?  Brigham Young’s offense is ruthlessly efficient and if there are gaps and openings in the Wolverine defense, they will find them.  This game may come down to style; if the game is chaotic and up and down it will likely favor Utah Valley, if the game is settled and teams are running settled offense and defense the Cougars may have the upper hand.  Fan Pick: Utah Valley (59%)

Straker’s Synopsis: Game of the year and the first of potentially three matchups we'll see between these teams. I'm most excited to see the chess match between Matt Schneck and Colin Maxfield. What will see from each team that they haven't put on film yet? BYU has the edge in goal with Wilkey, while UVU will have the edge at the face-off X in Lundin. I won't be surprised if there are wild swings in this one, with a play or two being the difference late in the 4th. Nobody is arguing the elite level of play in BYU's starting 6 offensively, but I think UVU's depth is the difference. UVU takes matchup #1 this year.  PICK: Utah Valley

#15 Chapman at #8 Arizona 11am Saturday – A big game for both the SLC standings and the at-large hopes for both teams.  The winner of this game is in good shape for the SLC playoffs and the loser is also most likely to make it, but still has work to do.  The Wildcats laid an egg in their much hyped game against Florida State last week and will be looking to take care of business against Chapman.  Chapman stumbled on their trip to Colorado losing to both Colorado and Colorado State, but steadied themselves last week against Grand Canyon and Arizona State.  Arizona has been dominant facing off all season and will be looking to make use of an expected possession advantage.  After a blistering start to the season, Arizona freshman Matthew Bechtold has been held to two goals over the last five games.  If Arizona wants to bring home any postseason hardware they need the fantastic freshman to regain his scoring touch.  Fan Pick: 50/50

Straker’s Synopsis:  I’m still recovering from Chapman's comeback vs my Sun Devils this past Sunday. Joel Kallas's rally cap may give me nightmares until the two squads meet again. Now Chap goes down to 'Nothing-To-Ducson' in a big conference matchup. The winner will sit in the driver's seat to earn the #1 seed in the SLC playoffs. If Chapman can neutralize the face-off X, I think they can get the job done. This game may come down to a late save, and Ryan Shugart is clearly the best goalie in the SLC. Give me Chapman in a close one. PICK: Chapman

#6 Montana at #3 College of Idaho 12pm Saturday – The Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League rivals will play for sixth time since the beginning of the 2023 season.  This is likely round one for these two teams.  Montana is getting it done defensively giving up a measly 6 goals per game.  The Yotes meanwhile are averaging 19 goals per game.  Something has to give.  The Griz have given up double digits twice this season (their only two losses) and in those games goalie Joey Cortner has averaged over 26 saves in those games.  Cortner is having a fantastic season, but that is a lot a rubber that he is seeing.  The Yotes have three players averaging over five points per game.  Montana can certainly score, but their bread is buttered on defense.  Round one in this series will be interesting.  Fan Pick:  College of Idaho (53%)

Straker’s Synopsis: If the last several years tell us anything, this won't be the only time these two programs faceoff this year. The Griz travel down south for a big matchup that will dictate the ease of their path to the conference finals. Goalie play will be the difference. Montana extends their win streak over the Yotes to 4. PICK: Montana

Sonoma State at California 2pm Saturday – This is probably an undersold northern California rivalry.  These are two proud programs with illustrious histories located only an hour or so apart.  Sonoma State has been using their zone defense to stifle opponents.  A team built around a zone defense is a stylistic zag that I can get on board with.  The Bears, who are always loaded with smart players, will certainly be ready for this different look.  The Sea Wolves, however, are not just succeeding because they do something different, they run their zone well and make it tough for the offense to get the looks they want.  Can they limit the Bears to shots they are comfortable with goalie Riley Corcoran seeing?  Hale Brown will likely have success at the faceoff dot and will give the Bears’ offense plenty of looks at the defense.  This one may come down to styles, if the Bears can get the Sea Wolves into an offensive game then they have the advantage, but if the Sea Wolves can turn the game into a granite grudge match they should feel good.    Fan Pick: Sonoma State (93%)

Straker’s Synopsis: Sonoma State has held their opponents to 7.28 goals per game over their last 7 outings. What Kyle Smith and Matt Samet have done with this defense is unbelievable. They have positioned themselves to make a serious run, and it is quietly one of the better stories in the MCLA this year. However, Cal has just as much on the line. After a slow start, Nate Fredericks has caught fire. I think he's the difference late in this one. Roll on you Bears. PICK: Cal

Other Games I’ll be Watching

Central Michigan at #9 Grand Valley State 7pm Friday -  The Lakers have owned this series of late, but Central Michigan has looked much improved this season.  It is surprising to see the Lakers with two losses so early in their schedule even if one of them was to Division I Michigan State.  The Chippewas will rely on their defense and goalie Michael Fett to slow down Grand Valley, which will be a tall task.  If Grand Valley rolls here, we can probably move on and assume that the Lakers are who most people expected them to be coming into the season.  If the Lakers struggle, it might be cause for concern.  Fan Pick: Grand Valley State (79%)

Florida Gulf Coast at Miami 3:30pm Saturday – This is essentially a play-in game for the SELC Division II playoffs.  The winner will take third place in the South region and will make the playoffs while the loser will likely be done for the season.  Gulf Coast still has a game to make up against South Florida, but they will be heavy favorites in that contest.  Comparative scores seem to favors the Hurricanes in this one, but the transitive property still does not apply in sports.  Fan Pick: Miami (67%)

Chico State at #20 UC Davis 5:30pm Sunday- The two leaders in the WCLL Division II will link up on Sunday.  Davis is coming off a tough trip to southern California where they got a win against San Diego and played Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego.  Did the trip drain them or get them battle ready?  UC Davis has won the last five games in the series so they will enter with confidence.  The winner will likely end up as the top seed come playoff time.  Fan Pick: UC Davis (86%)

Florida at #5 Florida State 7pm Saturday – We’ve already discussed the scenarios at play here.  The Gators can play the ultimate spoiler role here and keep the Seminoles out of the conference playoffs.  The Gators are unranked, but have some solid wins and will certainly be up to the challenge.  The Seminoles ranked in the top five are enjoying what might be their best regular season ever, but it could all come crashing down with a loss Saturday night.  The Gators will need to combat the Seminoles’ strong play at the faceoff dot as steady possession for Tyler Morris and company is usually the death knell for their opponents’  hopes of winning.  Florida can score too and the Gators are not shy about shooting the rock.  The Gators have yet to meet a shot they do not like.  Zach Halloran can bring the heat from the outside so you can bet Jack Schiffl will have his eye on him.  The Seminoles have given up goals against teams that could get enough possessions so this one may come down to the faceoff dot.  If the Seminoles lose, does the selection committee award a team that could not make their conference tournament with an at-large bid? Fan Pick: Florida  State (57%)

#18 Oregon at #20 Simon Fraser 12pm Sunday – The Ducks will cross the northern border to take on the Red Leafs in what should be the premier game in the PNCLL Division I season.  These two teams have made a habit of meeting in both the regular season and conference playoffs lately, but Simon Fraser has owned the series.  These games have been a house of horrors for the Ducks with Simon Fraser winning the last five meetings, but if it is any consolation for our friends in Eugene the games have been close.  Hopefully this is not Simon Fraser’s swan song in the MCLA and they are able work out a path forward in our league, but either way this game should be hotly contested.  Past games have been fairly low scoring, but I expect this one to be a shootout as both teams have shown they can put the ball in the net.  The winner of this one will almost assuredly be the top seed in the conference playoffs, but they should  not celebrate too much as they will likely see each other again.  Fan Pick: Simon Fraser (82%)

Enjoy a weekend full of games with a little extra juice.  Head coaches, be sure to get your nominations for Warrior Player of the Week and PEARL Goalie of the Week to info@mcla.us by noon local time on Monday.