SAA 2019

[LynxLax]

Once again the Lynx stand atop the SAA mountain as undisputed champions. Even without one of its most dangerous midfielders, the Lynx dominated the Vikings from start to finish. Another outstanding performance from senior goalkeeper Cameron Link. Berry did not have the skill to get past the Lynx defense, and the Lynx offense rolled from start to finish. Everyone's just playing for second in this conference now.

[TheHOG]

As if there was ever any question that the Lynx were going to pummel Berry today...dominating performance. Rhodes played outstanding defense and Berry simply had no answers. The Lynx offense started slow...but the flood gates opened once they settled. What a program Coach Zazzaro has built down in Memphis. Four years ago many considered Rhodes to be towards the bottom of the conference. Now they've won back-to-back SAA Championships and haven't lost a regular season conference game in three years. Hide your kids, hide your wife....Rhodes doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.

[southlaxfacts]

Rhodes will play Piedmont (winner of USA South tournament) - Rhodes will win - Then they'll go play the #1 seed in the south and lose.

[boredatwork]

Rhodes will play Piedmont (winner of USA South tournament) - Rhodes will win - Then they'll go play the #1 seed in the south and lose.

Not sure that will be the case this year. Last year Rhodes benefited from the fact that the USA South Champion (Huntingdon), was outside of the 500 mile radius to drive to any other school in the tournament. So if the NCAA had put Huntingdon up against anyone other than Rhodes, they would have had to fly them (and likely Rhodes) to their first round games. This year, with Piedmont winning the USA South, there is a very good chance they are sent to the winner of the ODAC (most likely Lynchburg or Washington & Lee) and Rhodes is either sent to Illinois Wesleyan or flown to a higher seeded team (like a York or Stevenson). The committee compromised it's seeds very obviously last year to avoid paying for 2 flights, and Piedmont already helped them by not being that far from the rest of the lacrosse world

[southlaxfacts]

Right. Good point. In that case they both lose.

[LynxLax]

Right. Good point. In that case they both lose.

Wow, you seem like a fun guy. Yes, in this case both teams will have a bigger challenge, but I think you're just saying they'll both lose to be inflammatory. Rhodes went into the fourth quarter against Illinois Wesleyan down 2. Let's not forget that was Cisneros' and Van Blargan's second collegiate game. Since then, they've both taken on much larger roles in the offense and become two of the best offensive players in the conference. With these two having essentially an entire season of collegiate lacrosse under their belt and the defense clicking, I think Rhodes has close to even odds against Illinois Wesleyan.

Furthermore, as a former Rhodes player and alumnus, I always rooted for the SAA to do well in the NCAA tournament, and I think you should too. It makes the entire conference look better on a national level, at which it inspires to compete. I don't know what team you support that makes you so salty about Rhodes success, but I'll assume its Berry.

[Dr. Pretorious]

I think the previous post was just suggesting that we pump the brakes a little bit on Rhodes. Yes, they have had a nice season, within their level of play … However that level is at least two tiers below that of the upper echelon D3 programs.
Rhodes - or whichever team emerges from the SAA - will be facing a major upgrade in competition when they get shipped off to Salisbury, York, Gettysburg etc for a game.

[parallax]

I think you may be right about Rhodes being 2 tiers away from national prominence, but 4 years ago, this team was ranked 133 RPI. Since then, they have gone 5-2 against Sewanee and completely blanked Berry. Did you see the scores of both semi-final and championship games? Oh, and they have won 2 straight SAA championships. Lots of odd anti-Rhodes behavior out there, but when put to the test, Rhodes has let their SAA dominance on the field do the talking. As for being able to compete with the elite D3 programs, look at their schedule and who they played competitively...Denison game was hard-fought and competitive, they beat Muhlenberg (go look at their schedule) and it would be a much different game if they were to play Illinois Wesleyan today. Looking forward to seeing if Rhodes can continue to walk the walk (let their play on the field do the talking).

[saltlaxcity]

I'm thinking this "anti-Rhodes behavior" is a pushback to how we see Rhodes parents and players pumping themselves up on this thread.
Rhodes has done a great job in the past few years, probably a few Rhodes alums on here who didn't see success during their 4 years and are proud of their alma mater for what they are doing now, no shame in that.
Seems like Rhodes commenters always have something to prove on this thread, but don't worry, your team has proven themselves on the field.
Excited to see how the SAA gets represented in the coming weeks..

[southlaxfacts]

How is saying that they are going to lose - anti-Rhodes behaivor? No one is putting Rhodes down here...simply stating that if they have to go to IWU for a first round game, they are probably going to lose seeing as though they lost to them at home by 5, got drastically outshot (just the way IWU plays) and got destroyed on faceoffs.

If Piedmont plays the ODAC winner...obviously they have no shot at winning that game.

Just Facts

[southlaxfacts]

In the Tournament last year only 1 lower seeded team won its first round matchup and that was CNU over Roanoke.

If Rhodes doesn't get a home game against the likes of a Transy or a Piedmont. Its extremely doubtful that they'll get a winnable road first round matchup.

[Handoverhamd]

The old saying is that you go from “who’s that? To who’s who, to who cares” in the snap of the fingers. Sewanee has won 4 of the possible titles and lost one last second on a man down goal. Rhodes is one of 3 teams to win a SAA title. No one is bashing Rhodes we have seen some good teams in this conference go on to the playoffs and play tougher games, but not make the jump yet. We are going to believe it when we see it, ya know.

[droliver]

Anyone thinking that Rhodes wouldn't be able to beat a lot tournament qualifiers hasn't been watching them play. They've improved to the point where they be a competitive member of just about any D3 conference and had two competitive games with Denison in 2018 & 2019. If a SAA team like Berry can play Solsbury down to the wire this year, a solid Rhodes team has a puncher's chance against most of the field

[boxrec103]

Agreed. Watched their game vs. Centre online. Plenty of athleticism and skill players. Look at the lacrosse pedigree of some of their kids -- Bullis, McDonough, Malvern Prep, St. Stephens & St. Agnes, Severn (Md), Gilman, plus some NJ and other HS privates with strong programs.

[Handoverhamd]

Sewanee has beaten Roanoke, berry lost by 2 to hampton Sydney who won the Odac that year. Berry beat Colorado College in Colorado. Rhodes played Denison tough. Heck back in the SCAC days BSC won it and gave a very good Stevenson team a game. We have had some good teams. This years could be the one who breaks through but until we do, we haven’t.

No one is cheering against Rhodes or saying they have no chance. We have just been here before

[Handoverhamd]

Agreed. Watched their game vs. Centre online. Plenty of athleticism and skill players. Look at the lacrosse pedigree of some of their kids -- Bullis, McDonough, Malvern Prep, St. Stephens & St. Agnes, Severn (Md), Gilman, plus some NJ and other HS privates with strong programs.

Lax pedigree is overrated in this day and age. Look at aurora, ill Wes. Especially in DIII where athletes rule the field. It’s also why you’re seeing more diverse rosters in the DI level.

[southlaxfacts]

Anyone thinking that Rhodes wouldn't be able to beat a lot tournament qualifiers hasn't been watching them play. They've improved to the point where they be a competitive member of just about any D3 conference and had two competitive games with Denison in 2018 & 2019. If a SAA team like Berry can play Solsbury down to the wire this year, a solid Rhodes team has a puncher's chance against most of the field

Salisbury usually plays a scrub team from the South to start every season. Don't think they were taking Berry serious at all heading into that game, and thats why it ended up being way closer than it should have been.

[droliver]

Salisbury usually plays a scrub team from the South to start every season. Don't think they were taking Berry serious at all heading into that game, and thats why it ended up being way closer than it should have been.

That's a weird argument to make then that a Berry team (that Rhodes beat comfortably twice) who played the #1 or 2 team in the country TIGHT, supports the notion that Rhodes is a gimme in a one game knockout tournament format. Their play against quality competition suggests they could be a tough out.

[southlaxfacts]

Tough out for sure..Rhodes is a solid team thats not just going to lay down..Really just depends on if they get a home game or not.

[Handoverhamd]

So what does everyone think of Rhodes's (would you put an 's there?) draw? They get two rematches in the first two rounds if they win the first one.