Weekender: Gem State Getaway

by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us

LA CROSSE, Wis. – What do you do when it’s February, you go to school in Boca Raton, live five miles from some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and you want to play some great lacrosse? You fly seven hours to the outskirts of Boise, Idaho.

Duh.

That’s the journey ahead of the Florida Atlantic squad this weekend as the Owls leave the warm breezes of southeastern Florida for the unpredictable climate of southwest Idaho to face three quality opponents in Utah State, Northwest Nazarene and UC San Diego in a two-day span.

As funny as it is to envision a bunch of Florida kids in the City of Trees, Florida Atlantic has always traveled. Under the leadership of Stavros Neocleous, there is an understanding that, like all serious programs, you need to travel. The Owls try to get in a couple of big trips every season. Last year it was Minnesota and Ohio. Before that, it was Missouri and Alabama.

“We want to prepare the guys for the conference playoffs and nationals, give them as much competition as we can and put them in an environment that is maybe a bit uncomfortable,” Neocleous said. “The choice of where to go is often based on who reaches out to us first. We feel as if it is a privilege to play good teams and showcase our abilities. We try not to turn down anyone if it fits with our schedule.”

Northwest Nazarene coach Tom Blanchard reached out to FAU shortly after nationals trying to put together a competitive weekend that would bolster the resumés of all involved. The teams went back and forth for a month or so before locking things in.

“Setting opponents became an easy topic as we both wanted the best options,” Neocleous said. “Finding a date for four teams was a bit more of a challenge with all of us having certain travel restrictions and other tournaments pulling us in different directions.”

The travel restrictions mean that FAU will be playing Utah State on Saturday morning and then Northwest Nazarene that evening, followed by UCSD on Sunday. It is certainly a taxing trip, but one that Neocleous went over with his players.

In laying out the trip, he found himself faced with three big questions. The first was what would the weather be like? Typically, it’s cold, but the forecast is actually pretty mild this weekend. The second: are we driving or flying? A 40-hour bus ride is a bit much, so they’ll be in the air.

The final query: why Idaho?

“The easiest and most truthful answer is that it gives the team the most unique look at teams we won’t otherwise see in the regular season,” Neocleous said. “We want the team to be challenged, but we want to give them an opportunity to see new places and play against everyone. I want every season to have as many new teams on the schedule as possible. Thus, Idaho.”

There are tangential benefits that can apply when nationals roll around and where FAU will certainly finish its season. Preparation, travel, quality competition, etc. Ultimately the action on the field is the reason for the trip, but it’s just part of a bigger experience.

Neocleous believes its one of the most important ingredients for a fulfilling MCLA experience.

“Aside from the obvious competitive benefits, there are very few other opportunities where you will be able to travel with 40 of your best friends across the country,” he said. “Cherish those moments and make the best of them.”

Games I’m Following

Texas at Virginia Tech, 5 p.m. – Friday (VT -2.5 | 27.5)
A pair of teams in need of a quality win meet up in Blacksburg. Tech is still stinging from their Sunshine State sweep, and the one-goal win over a six-loss Auburn outfit didn’t exactly give a confidence boost. The Longhorns getting waxed on their own field by Florida State has them in need of a pick-me-up, too. Both squads have a brutal test on Saturday – the Hokies host Georgia Tech; Texas moves on to Liberty – so banking a Friday night victory will be critical, or it could be a lost weekend for the loser. Goals should be scored in bunches.

Florida State at Georgia, 7 p.m. – Friday (UGA -3.5 | 19.5)
Confidence is running high in Tallahassee after the ‘Noles whooped up on Texas, but FSU better refocus quickly. They won’t score 18 goals on this Georgia defense, regardless of what Arizona State did to the Dawgs. That’s a problem for Florida State because they give up 14.6 goals per outing. The Seminoles better have their scoring boots on to hang around.

Georgia Tech at Liberty, 7 p.m. – Friday (LIB -1 | 24)
After seemingly giving up on playing defense for the first six games of the season, Georgia Tech returned to its stingy roots in a 13-6 win over South Carolina. But this Gamecocks outfit doesn’t have nearly the offensive punch they did at the turn of the decade. The manner in which the Flames lost to Virginia Tech is still puzzling, so their second crack at a high-end opponent will be telling. After this weekend, the Liberty schedule softens considerably. This isn’t a must-win, but the Flames might want to go ahead and do it anyway.

UC San Diego vs. Utah State, 7 p.m. – Friday (UCSD -6 | 22)
The weather in Nampa, Idaho, is actually pretty mild (mid-50s), all things considered, so the Tritons won’t get too much of a shock to the system. Should be some nice spring shredding at Bogus Basin if Albert Man and his crew bring their skis. UCSD’s win over Northwest Nazarene has to have the Aggies concerned. Utah State showed out well enough at the Rocky Mountain Rumble, but the Tritons appear to be a handful.

Arizona State at Cal Poly, 7 p.m. – Friday (CP -3.5 | 21)
This is the game of the week in Division I for me. Morgan Weireter has done a masterful job scheduling the season and the Mustangs have leverage in almost all of their games save for their Lone Star sojourn. This one is included. While the Sun Devils will be somewhat fresh for this contest, they have another four hours on the 101 to Berkeley awaiting them, which can be a mental hurdle. If SLO can clear this hurdle, an undefeated regular season is well within its grasp.

Brigham Young vs. Chapman, 11 a.m. – Saturday (BYU -4.5 | 25)
If we’re being positive, Chapman has had a chance to win all three of its games despite sitting at 1-2. The Panthers might be fortunate to say the same on Saturday afternoon once the Cougars get through with them. BYU has had two weeks off to prepare for the game – which can be a blessing or a curse – and I’m not sure if the neutral Vegas field is a significant advantage for either team. A hot goalie or FOGO can change any narrative, but confidence is high for Provo boys.

Tampa at Florida Gulf Coast, 2 p.m. – Saturday (FGCU -5 | 25.5)
The Spartans are off to a quality start in their second year with just the lone blemish to Tulane on the bayou. This is the game that Tampa needs, however, as a loss would mandate them beating Florida Atlantic to get into the SELC tourney. FGCU has a quality win over Coastal Carolina and played Charlotte tough. Tampa will be throwing everything at the Eagles to grab this one, so I expect a shootout.

Northeastern at Colorado, 3 p.m. – Saturday (CU -1 | 19)
“Attention JetBlue passengers, flight 108 to Denver out of gate C14 has been delayed.” Just figured I’d get the Huskies ready for the weekend (too soon?). If Northeastern can get boots on the ground in Boulder and Fort Collins this weekend, there’s a chance for Tom Duca’s troops to effectively wrap up an at-large berth with a sweep, regardless of what happens in the CLC (where the Huskies are considerable favorites). Conversely, Colorado can strengthen its at-large resume (which it will likely need) after beating UCSB followed by a Chapman near-miss. Probably a toss-up, but we’ll make the Buffs a favorite for the altitude.

Coastal Carolina vs. Grand Valley State, 4 p.m. – Saturday (GVSU -5.5 | 21)
There are always budgetary constraints that teams must deal with, but scheduling a national quarterfinalist and semifinalist on the same day with an hour rest in between seems like a bold strategy. The Lakers are a handful on their own, but the Chanticleers opening with Kennesaw State at 1 p.m., on Saturday adds a layer of difficulty that seems capricious, never mind the free scout. Coastal is a good squad, no question about it, and Kennesaw appears to be down a bit from last year’s performance. Still, this is a tall order. We’ll get a good look at GVSU’s squad, anyway.

Florida Atlantic at Northwest Nazarene, 7 p.m. – Saturday (NNU -3.5 | 29.5)
Here is my D-II game of the week featuring two frontrunners for player of the year in FAU’s Ryan Kerr and NNU’s Keaton Bean. Both are exquisite offensive players who could easily combine for 20 points by the end of the day. The Owls have played by far the stiffer schedule to this point – the Nighthawks had outscored their first two opponents, 59-0, prior to the loss to UCSD – but FAU has a long flight and play Utah State the same morning. Naz isn’t desperate, but they need this to salvage the weekend.

Slides & Rides

- Oregon and Boise State tangle on Saturday morning to determine who has the best shot at unseating Simon Fraser as the two-time defending PNCLL champion…Michigan State starts its quest to repeat as UMLC flag-bearer. The Spartans tangle with Florida State, Central Florida and Florida starting on Sunday…Rhode Island opens its account on Sunday with a home date against Central Conn. State…Arizona is off to a 4-1 start, but if it wants to keep its at-large hopes burning, beating San Diego State would be a big one.

- Congrats to Georgia Southern’s Kevin Daniels for setting the school record for career points (128)…same to Minnesota’s Owen Carlson, who became one of four Gophers to crack the 100-career point plateau.

- As always, get those nominations for the PEARL Goalie of the Week and Warrior Player of the Week to info@mcla.us by noon on Monday. Also, start thinking about nominations for the Lacrosse Specialties Player of the Month award for February. Those can be submitted once your February slate is complete.