The Reverb: March Sadness

(Photo by Bob White)

by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us

LA CROSSE, Wis. – In my role, I’m not supposed to play favorites, but there is no question that March is the best month of the season.

January holds a lot of excitement, but not much substance. February is probably second on the list because there are so many high-quality non-conference games, but we also have a substantial number of teams who are idle for a big portion of that month.

April has its charms, but it’s also a grind as we slog through the backend of the conference schedule before the explosion of league tournaments – many of them perfunctory – at the end of the month. May is when we say goodbye.

March has it all. Everyone is playing, there is a blend of non-conference heaters and the start of conference positioning. There are upsets everywhere as the poll finally coalesces to a point where nationals are faintly starting to take shape.

The third month of the year is when the stars that will make up the All-American teams start to separate themselves from the pack. The coach of the year field is also pared down as we turn our eye to the postseason.

Combine all of that with spring fully arriving in our northern climes and the rebirth that it brings. Alas, now it is done, but this year did not disappoint. And judging by the results from this past weekend, March went out like a lion.

My Top Fives

Division I

1. Liberty (9-1) – A third-straight national semifinal berth looks like a lock at this point.
2. Brigham Young (10-0) – Cougs get stiffest test of the year this weekend at home.
3. Texas (6-2) – The FSU setback is still puzzling, but the ‘Horns smoked Cal Poly.
4. Florida (10-2) – Smashing the Bees was confirmation that this is not a typical Gator team.
5. Utah Valley (6-2) – Wolverines back their way into this spot. UCSB loss looking worse.

Division I

1. UC San Diego (9-0) – Tritons rolled out of bed for a pair of comfy wins over WCLL fodder.
2. UNC-Charlotte (10-0) – Two-week break before Kennesaw and Wake.
3. Florida Atlantic (10-2) – A win over Miami gives the Owls the top seed in the SELC South.
4. Northwest Nazarene (10-2) – Potential PNCLL title game preview in Missoula on Saturday.
5. St. Thomas (5-1) – Finally, we get the coveted showdown with GVSU on Sunday.

Slides & Rides

- Thank you to Florida Atlantic president Adam Hasner, who took the time out of his weekend to come watch the Owls defeat Tampa, 16-8, on Saturday afternoon. It is always appreciated when members of the upper administration attend our contests because it shows they appreciate all of their student-athletes, not just the ones with NCAA next to the program name. And Mr. Hasner, if you want to attend the 2025 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance in Round Rock, we’ll have comps waiting for you and your family at will call.

- Congrats to Georgia grad student Tucker Hoffman, who reached the 500-save mark for his career in the Bulldogs’ win over Alabama…Tennessee will play for at least a share of the ALC South title after the Vols held off Clemson, 12-8…Boise State picked up a nice ranked win over No. 16 Utah, 13-7. If the Broncos run the table in the division, they could force a three-way tiebreaker for top seed in the PNCLL…big overtime win for Sonoma against Santa Clara that could give them a home seed in the first round of the WCLL tourney.

- After taking its lumps against a really difficult schedule, Auburn is finally tasting the fruits of its labor. The Tigers are on a four-game win streak that includes an impressive, 12-9, road victory over No. 7 Florida State on Friday night. Auburn will be in the SELC tournament and could even get the top seed depending on the outcome of the FSU-Florida game and conference tiebreaker rules. J.J. Arminio would get my vote for conference coach of the year.

- On the flip side, this is a significant blow to the Seminoles. A loss to Florida in the season finale will drop FSU to the third seed with a ticket to Georgia or Georgia Tech in the first round of the SELCs. A loss there and the Noles will have a 9-5 record with several teams ahead of them picking up quality wins. Victories over Georgia, Texas and Virginia Tech will always keep FSU in the discussion, but those all came in February. A road win over the Gators would lock them into Round Rock.

Say whatever you want about the SLC, it’s an entertaining league. Over the course of the weekend, No. 8 San Diego State went from the odds-on favorite to get the top seed in the conference tourney to now hanging on desperately for the final bid while Arizona State appears to be the team to beat. And don’t count out Arizona, which has a head-to-head chance to knock off the Sun Devils in the last game of the season. Grand Canyon is also starting to look frisky. Throw in a desperate Chapman team that pretty much has to run the table and it’s going to be a spicy finish.

- In addition to the Warrior Player of the Week and PEARL Goalie of the Week nominations due on Monday by noon, get nominations in for Player of the Month presented by Lacrosse Specialties. Both nominations should be sent to info@mcla.us.