Weekend Watch: Endgame
(Photo by Jodi Vosika)
by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The next seven days are by far the most stressful for the MCLA staff.
We had a little appetizer last weekend with six conference championships, but it balloons to 12 this weekend.
Then we feed into the selection process on Sunday night that results in two fields of 16 teams.
It’s just the beginning, as we are simultaneously getting our ducks in a row for the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance from May 9-14 at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.
The MCLA is implementing a new concept for our tournament program, substituting paper for digital. A “AI bot” protocol, utilized by the PLL at its events, will be available to in-house fans and those watching on streams.
What is the most intriguing Division II conference semifinal matchup this weekend? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) April 25, 2022
The bot’s name is “Shaft,” and can be accessed now through the QR code above or by texting “Hi” to 855-723-2686. Anyone who uses this service will not have their information released to a third party.
And while we had a trial run last year with the “Invitational,” this will be the first year we get to maximize the entire Round Rock facility, including a championship stadium that will be a wonderful player and fan experience.
Of course, getting fans back on the sidelines will be fantastic in itself.
For those who can’t make it to Round Rock, as usual, we’ll be streaming all 32 games. Like last year’s Invitational, we’ll be putting the game behind a paywall, but are looking forward to providing a quality product compliments of Prodigy Media.
What is the most intriguing Division I conference semifinal matchup this weekend? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) April 25, 2022
There are options to buy all of the games or simply go with day passes. Unfortunately, buying single games is not an option this year.
Details on how to advance purchase (and save considerably) the streams can be found HERE, along with advanced ticket sales information.
Those in Round Rock who have purchased a ticket can take advantage of a deal from The Brass Tap, where you’ll get 10% off your entire bill, drinks included. (Call ahead for group reservations: 512-341-2337).
We'd also like to give a huge thank you to our new partner, Impact Canopy, who has provided some great looking signage and fence-coverings for our event. If you're in need of any kind event or branding supplies, head straight to Impact Canopy.
As usual we’ll try to use our social media as much as possible to provide scores and highlights.
We’ve got a lot on our plate with a limited staff, but it sure is good to be back.
Hope to see you Texas.
TOURNAMENTS I’M FOLLOWING
This section gets odd heading into the final weekend of conference tournament play, so we’ll give a quick overall look at all 12 of the tourneys.
ALC Division I Tournament
Even with the No. 5 (Liberty) and No. 7 (Clemson) teams in the field, this looks like the Virginia Tech Invitational. Some less sophisticated analysts would think that the Hokies drawing Pittsburgh in the semis is benefit, but Tech has a history of sluggish performances against teams in trap games. See: Tennessee. The Hokiesbarely won that game (and credit to the Vols for playing great ball).
With that said, Virginia Tech not raising the hardware in Lynchburg would be a monumental upset. Not a “Miracle on Ice” upset, but maybe a tier or two down. The Flames and Tigers are playing for seeding.
ALC Division II Tournament
UNC-Charlotte is a legit squad, but they may have to get some style points on their way to conference title with no AQ on hand. Shouldn’t be that tough: they’ve roasted everyone in the ALC to this point.
CLC Division I Tournament
Judging by scores, Northeastern, New Hampshire and Boston College all have a legitimate crack at the AQ (obviously UConn could crash this party hard if they make a run). If BC can avenge its loss to UNH, they’d be tough to leave out.
All of the committee eyes will be on this league as it could be a bubble-breaker for the desperate western teams.
CLC Division II Tournament
Rhode Island lost ground last week in the polls and a conference championship may not slow that slide heading into the committee meetings. Anything but a Rams title and I think you put the CLC-II to bed with no chance at a bid.
LSA Division I Tournament
A very intriguing playoff with an AQ on the line. One would probably consider TCU to be the favorite over SMU in the first semifinal, but the Mustangs stifled the Horned Frogs, 10-6, during the regular season. On the other side of the bracket, LSU looked good against Missouri, but Texas A&M hung an 18-burger on the Tigers a month ago.
SMU would have the inherent advantage playing in their own barn, but this final four is a stone-cold toss-up. I’ll be tuning in.
LSA Division II Tournament
Baylor, Dallas Baptist and Tulane have a puncher’s chance at Round Rock, but any team other than Missouri State would be a stunner.
PNCLL Division I Tournament
Simon Fraser’s whirlwind tour through the conference in a nine-day span was obviously a grind, but it also deprived their opponents of much of a scout. Now the three other teams in the tourney – including a rugged Boise State outfit in the semifinals – will be a lot more comfortable with what SFU brings to the table. Does it matter? We’ll see. Any four of these teams heading to Texas wouldn’t surprise me.
PNCLL Division II Tournament
Northwest Nazarene and Western Washington are fine teams, but the scores so far point to a College of Idaho-Montana rematch in the finals. Both will be heading to Round Rock, but the Yotes embarrassed the Griz in mid-March. I expect Montana to show out a little better.
SLC Division I Tournament
Concordia-Irvine swept the conference, but outside of the 20-9 rout of USC, Grand Canyon and Arizona played the Eagles tight. The Lopes and Wildcats need a semifinal win in order to move to the better side of the bubble, but CUI and USC are hunting for seeding, so this will be worth the watch.
SLC Division II Tournament
All signs point towards a UCSD-San Marcos final, which will be a good one. I think the Tritons have done enough to get in regardless of the outcome, but the Cougars probably need the AQ.
WCLL Division I Tournament
UC Santa Barbara played California to within two to start the season, losing 16-14, so there is some potential drama in the first semifinal. A four-game losing skid – including a five-goal loss to SLO – derailed a promising season for Santa Clara, but they still have the best goalie in the conference and tons of talent. They’ll give Poly a run for a finals spot.
If Cal wins, a second bid might be a long-shot.
WCLL Division I Tournament
UC Davis squares of with with UC Santa Cruz on Sunday for the title. The Aggies downed the Slugs, 13-3, during the regular season. If Davis can match that, hopefully they'll remain in the at-large discussion.