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Oregon sits two wins away from a national crown
by Dan Jones | Freelance reporter |
By defeating No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth 10-8 on Wednesday, the third-seeded Oregon men's club lacrosse team (19-2, 8-0 Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League) finds itself in an exclusive group and with a unique opportunity: In the Final Four of the MCLA Division A National Tournament and two wins away from winning its first national championship.
Over the program's previous three years in the tournament, the Ducks have never made it past the second round. In 2004, Oregon defeated Boston College but lost to UC-Santa Barbara. The Ducks beat Arizona in the first round of the 2006 tournament but lost to Michigan in the second. Last year, they lost to Arizona and Lindenwood.
With Wednesday's victory and by dropping Lindenwood on Tuesday, Oregon's players and coaching staff draw closer to a goal they set at the beginning of the season: To take the national scene by storm and win a championship.
"It is big that we won, but we have our mind on bigger things," junior Jeff Brunelle said.
The Ducks' win against the Bulldogs resulted from early scoring and a little bit of luck in the muggy and windy conditions in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday. The Ducks averted a strike by Minnesota-Duluth in a second half when the Bulldogs netted five-straight goals to pull within one late in the match.
"We threw the ball away, didn't take care of it and did not have many good possessions (in the second half)," freshman Justin Blackmore said. "People were tired mentally and not making the right decisions."
"We had trouble protecting the ball and taking control of the game," senior Scott Miller added.
The Ducks led 9-3 at the half. Minnesota-Duluth may have had a better chance at a comeback victory if it didn't stumble into late penalties in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs racked up all four of their yellow cards during the last 14 minutes of the game. Conversely, the Ducks' five penalties all came in the first three quarters.
Ryan Warren nailed a goal with seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Over the program's previous three years in the tournament, the Ducks have never made it past the second round. In 2004, Oregon defeated Boston College but lost to UC-Santa Barbara. The Ducks beat Arizona in the first round of the 2006 tournament but lost to Michigan in the second. Last year, they lost to Arizona and Lindenwood.
With Wednesday's victory and by dropping Lindenwood on Tuesday, Oregon's players and coaching staff draw closer to a goal they set at the beginning of the season: To take the national scene by storm and win a championship.
"It is big that we won, but we have our mind on bigger things," junior Jeff Brunelle said.
The Ducks' win against the Bulldogs resulted from early scoring and a little bit of luck in the muggy and windy conditions in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday. The Ducks averted a strike by Minnesota-Duluth in a second half when the Bulldogs netted five-straight goals to pull within one late in the match.
"We threw the ball away, didn't take care of it and did not have many good possessions (in the second half)," freshman Justin Blackmore said. "People were tired mentally and not making the right decisions."
"We had trouble protecting the ball and taking control of the game," senior Scott Miller added.
The Ducks led 9-3 at the half. Minnesota-Duluth may have had a better chance at a comeback victory if it didn't stumble into late penalties in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs racked up all four of their yellow cards during the last 14 minutes of the game. Conversely, the Ducks' five penalties all came in the first three quarters.
Ryan Warren nailed a goal with seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Jake Newton
posted 5/17/07 @ 10:36 PM PST
Oregon is a great lacrosse team this year and they have been on the edge of acheiving greatness that last years. This day of rest is what they need, and I believe if they keep their helds held high and in the game, then Oregon will walk away crowned National Chanpions. (Continued…)
Stephen Meister
posted 5/18/07 @ 7:05 AM PST
If Oregon is a great team, then they should move up to either Division III or Division I of the NCAA where the truly great teams play.
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