Denver

[Matnum PI]

Wilmot

https://twitter.com/NELaxJournal/status ... 5757949952

[laxinforlife]

She is not alone in her story. Many recruits are visiting on their own and it’s not only lax. Other athletes have to do the same.
Denver committed a great class of 22s!

[TNLAX]

Some schools are putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage with their COVID policies. Some schools are not allowing outside visitors on campus, so prospective students are not even allowed to give themselves a self guided tour. How a school polices this policy is beyond me, but it is the situation.

Congrats to this young women on her commitment to a fine school and program.

[Matnum PI]

Molly Little

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Here's a nice picture of sophomore midfielder Bryn McCaughey. Denver is always a pretty decent opponent during the regular season. Usually ranked somewhere in the teens. Looking back on Pioneer history (which began with their inception in 1999), it began pretty rough until our very own Cathy Reese took over the head coaching job in 2004. Though it was slow going at first, she got the team headed in the right direction. The team finished 15-5 in her final season (2006) before she moved on to College Park. They've had only one losing season since. Made the NCAA's a few times, but only made the quarters once. Like I say, a good regular season team. Good in the conference tournaments. Good in the first round of the NCAA's. Interesting to consider what the Pios might have become if Reese stayed on. Would she have had the same results with recruiting to Denver? Interesting to consider, but we'll never know. In any event--Go Pios in '22!

[glaxer24]

Here's a nice picture of sophomore midfielder Bryn McCaughey. Denver is always a pretty decent opponent during the regular season. Usually ranked somewhere in the teens. Looking back on Pioneer history (which began with their inception in 1999), it began pretty rough until our very own Cathy Reese took over the head coaching job in 2004. Though it was slow going at first, she got the team headed in the right direction. The team finished 15-5 in her final season (2006) before she moved on to College Park. They've had only one losing season since. Made the NCAA's a few times, but only made the quarters once. Like I say, a good regular season team. Good in the conference tournaments. Good in the first round of the NCAA's. Interesting to consider what the Pios might have become if Reese stayed on. Would she have had the same results with recruiting to Denver? Interesting to consider, but we'll never know. In any event--Go Pios in '22!

I watched a lot of the Pios this past year, they had a really nice season, winning the Big East tourney and eventually losing to Northwestern in the quarters in an insanely physical battle. However they graduated a HUGE senior class this year: Little (AA), Behrins (AA), Wiseman, Liddy, Conry to name a few. So it will be interesting to see how they do without some of their veteran leaders. Would love to hear your thoughts

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Here's a nice picture of sophomore midfielder Bryn McCaughey. Denver is always a pretty decent opponent during the regular season. Usually ranked somewhere in the teens. Looking back on Pioneer history (which began with their inception in 1999), it began pretty rough until our very own Cathy Reese took over the head coaching job in 2004. Though it was slow going at first, she got the team headed in the right direction. The team finished 15-5 in her final season (2006) before she moved on to College Park. They've had only one losing season since. Made the NCAA's a few times, but only made the quarters once. Like I say, a good regular season team. Good in the conference tournaments. Good in the first round of the NCAA's. Interesting to consider what the Pios might have become if Reese stayed on. Would she have had the same results with recruiting to Denver? Interesting to consider, but we'll never know. In any event--Go Pios in '22!

I watched a lot of the Pios this past year, they had a really nice season, winning the Big East tourney and eventually losing to Northwestern in the quarters in an insanely physical battle. However they graduated a HUGE senior class this year: Little (AA), Behrins (AA), Wiseman, Liddy, Conry to name a few. So it will be interesting to see how they do without some of their veteran leaders. Would love to hear your thoughts

I defer to you, glaxer. I'm sure you know more about them than I. I guess we'll see soon enough. Interesting thing about college lacrosse, one never knows what graduating a large group of seniors will do. No one saw BC winning a national championship so soon after the 11 seniors they graduated in 2019. Denver has had their share of skilled and talented players over the past few years. I'd love to see them get to championship weekend sometime.

[glaxer24]

Here's a nice picture of sophomore midfielder Bryn McCaughey. Denver is always a pretty decent opponent during the regular season. Usually ranked somewhere in the teens. Looking back on Pioneer history (which began with their inception in 1999), it began pretty rough until our very own Cathy Reese took over the head coaching job in 2004. Though it was slow going at first, she got the team headed in the right direction. The team finished 15-5 in her final season (2006) before she moved on to College Park. They've had only one losing season since. Made the NCAA's a few times, but only made the quarters once. Like I say, a good regular season team. Good in the conference tournaments. Good in the first round of the NCAA's. Interesting to consider what the Pios might have become if Reese stayed on. Would she have had the same results with recruiting to Denver? Interesting to consider, but we'll never know. In any event--Go Pios in '22!

I watched a lot of the Pios this past year, they had a really nice season, winning the Big East tourney and eventually losing to Northwestern in the quarters in an insanely physical battle. However they graduated a HUGE senior class this year: Little (AA), Behrins (AA), Wiseman, Liddy, Conry to name a few. So it will be interesting to see how they do without some of their veteran leaders. Would love to hear your thoughts

I defer to you, glaxer. I'm sure you know more about them than I. I guess we'll see soon enough. Interesting thing about college lacrosse, one never knows what graduating a large group of seniors will do. No one saw BC winning a national championship so soon after the 11 seniors they graduated in 2019. Denver has had their share of skilled and talented players over the past few years. I'd love to see them get to championship weekend sometime.

Interesting thought and you’re definitely not wrong!! I’d also love to see them get to MDW sometime

[laxinforlife]

Denver had a great senior class last year.
Behrins & Morton will play this year using their covid 5th year. Little will be a volunteer coach. Alex Marino transfers in from Cuse.
there's several solid seniors this year. a handful of juniors-including Sam Thacker-MVP of the Big East championship. a solid sophomore class plus 9 freshman with a few from each class who will challenge for spots.
Coach Brittany Reed is a great goalie coach. The Pios will have a solid goalie.
Denver doesn't get much respect. They have had a softer schedule-it's a challenge scheduling.
Coach Liza has a stellar high pressure D and Coach Brice will produce a team-focus high powered offense.
They want to go to championship weekend and will do all they can to get there.

[glaxer24]

Denver had a great senior class last year.
Behrins & Morton will play this year using their covid 5th year. Little will be a volunteer coach. Alex Marino transfers in from Cuse.
there's several solid seniors this year. a handful of juniors-including Sam Thacker-MVP of the Big East championship. a solid sophomore class plus 9 freshman with a few from each class who will challenge for spots.
Coach Brittany Reed is a great goalie coach. The Pios will have a solid goalie.
Denver doesn't get much respect. They have had a softer schedule-it's a challenge scheduling.
Coach Liza has a stellar high pressure D and Coach Brice will produce a team-focus high powered offense.
They want to go to championship weekend and will do all they can to get there.

Didn’t know Behrins and Morton had eligibility left, glad to hear that!! And I heard Little was back as a volunteer assistant, very happy about that. I agree they don’t get much respect, not sure why when year after year they bring in good recruits, have a solid offense, and run a really great high pressure zone, like you mentioned. Excited to watch Pios this season

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

I think they get an appropriate amount of respect, especially considering their year to year rankings. As I wrote earlier, they are usually ranked somewhere in the teens and even in the high single digits after big regular season wins. Yet they haven't made a lot of noise in the NCAA's which is where teams really make their bones. They're a solid regular season team and a favorite to win the Big East. But their last three visits to The Tournament resulted in them getting dragged: 19-4 by Northwestern in the '21 quarters; 17-8 by Maryland in the '19 2nd round; and 15-4 again by Maryland in the '18 2nd round. Until they do better there, they'll continue to be ranked accordingly. But again--I enjoy watching them. They usually have a good contingent of talented players. One of my favorites from years gone by was Julia Feiss. I thought she was underrated.

[laxinforlife]

I agree that they need to do better at NCAAs-no doubt and preparing to do that, they will need to schedule some higher ranked regular season games. Louisville is always one of the first games of the season-going to Stanford and Cal.They have BC coming to Denver in March, they are going to MIchigan. Would love if they could tack on ND while out east. They have a decent schedule-just need some more challenges to prepare for game speed post season.
I don't think Denver is completely discounted--however
Final rankings didn't show much respect--Stanford was ranked ahead of them after they had just beat them.

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/media/ra ... on-1-women

IL gave them a bit more respect.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/league/wdi/polls

I understand that they got trounced by NW. Hopefully they'll go further this post season.

[laxinforlife]

I agree that they need to do better at NCAAs-no doubt and preparing to do that, they will need to schedule some higher ranked regular season games. Louisville is always one of the first games of the season-going to Stanford and Cal.They have BC coming to Denver in March, they are going to MIchigan. Would love if they could tack on ND while out east. They have a decent schedule-just need some more challenges to prepare for game speed post season.
I don't think Denver is completely discounted--however
Final rankings didn't show much respect--Stanford was ranked ahead of them after they had just beat them.

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/media/ra ... on-1-women

IL gave them a bit more respect.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/league/wdi/polls

I understand that they got trounced by NW. Hopefully they'll go further this post season.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

I agree that they need to do better at NCAAs-no doubt and preparing to do that, they will need to schedule some higher ranked regular season games. Louisville is always one of the first games of the season-going to Stanford and Cal.They have BC coming to Denver in March,

Interesting. Denver hasn't played BC since 2003. That should be a cool matchup.

they are going to MIchigan. Would love if they could tack on ND while out east. They have a decent schedule-just need some more challenges to prepare for game speed post season.
I don't think Denver is completely discounted--however
Final rankings didn't show much respect--Stanford was ranked ahead of them after they had just beat them.

I know--this makes no sense whatsoever. Sometimes common sense has to figure into the equation but there is an increasing trend to blindly follow the analytics. Denver beating Stanford in the 1st round of the NCAA's doesn't factor into the final ranking. Just plain stupid. Same with BC winning the national title and beating NC in the semi's yet NC is still ranked #1 in RPI. Blind stupidity. But hey--you and I know Denver should be ranked higher than Stanford so the folks who determined the final rankings can go pound sand.

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/media/ra ... on-1-women

IL gave them a bit more respect.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/league/wdi/polls

I understand that they got trounced by NW. Hopefully they'll go further this post season.

I guess they'll always have to go through Northwestern or Maryland to get to the final four. That's a tall order. I'd like to see them do it though. I think it's good for the game to have a variety of strong contenders each year.

[wlaxphan20]

I know--this makes no sense whatsoever. Sometimes common sense has to figure into the equation but there is an increasing trend to blindly follow the analytics. Denver beating Stanford in the 1st round of the NCAA's doesn't factor into the final ranking. Just plain stupid. Same with BC winning the national title and beating NC in the semi's yet NC is still ranked #1 in RPI. Blind stupidity. But hey--you and I know Denver should be ranked higher than Stanford so the folks who determined the final rankings can go pound sand.

That's because RPI is a calculation, not a poll. IWLCA had BC ranked as 1 for the last poll of the season, but BC having 3 losses on the season cost them in the RPI rankings.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

I know--this makes no sense whatsoever. Sometimes common sense has to figure into the equation but there is an increasing trend to blindly follow the analytics. Denver beating Stanford in the 1st round of the NCAA's doesn't factor into the final ranking. Just plain stupid. Same with BC winning the national title and beating NC in the semi's yet NC is still ranked #1 in RPI. Blind stupidity. But hey--you and I know Denver should be ranked higher than Stanford so the folks who determined the final rankings can go pound sand.

That's because RPI is a calculation, not a poll. IWLCA had BC ranked as 1 for the last poll of the season, but BC having 3 losses on the season cost them in the RPI rankings.

A faulty calculation by my estimate. What do you think of Denver?

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

“I think for Denver and Stanford to get sent to Northwestern was kind of a kick in the teeth.”
— Denver coach Liza Kelly

Where else could they have been assigned being so far out west?

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... ills-holes

[seacoaster]

“I think for Denver and Stanford to get sent to Northwestern was kind of a kick in the teeth.”
— Denver coach Liza Kelly

Where else could they have been assigned being so far out west?

https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/college/ ... ills-holes

Agreed; that should have been the follow-up question for Coach: where should Denver and Stanford have been sent?

[watcherinthewoods]

I know--this makes no sense whatsoever. Sometimes common sense has to figure into the equation but there is an increasing trend to blindly follow the analytics. Denver beating Stanford in the 1st round of the NCAA's doesn't factor into the final ranking. Just plain stupid. Same with BC winning the national title and beating NC in the semi's yet NC is still ranked #1 in RPI. Blind stupidity. But hey--you and I know Denver should be ranked higher than Stanford so the folks who determined the final rankings can go pound sand.

That's because RPI is a calculation, not a poll. IWLCA had BC ranked as 1 for the last poll of the season, but BC having 3 losses on the season cost them in the RPI rankings.

A faulty calculation by my estimate. What do you think of Denver?

Saw Denver play twice in 2021 out west and fall ball a couple of weeks ago in B'more. Until there is more regional consistency in officiating, they will continue to struggle to adjust when they come east. The out-of-control sticks that they are accustomed to getting away with are ridiculous and completely out of the norm, not to mention dangerous. Denver had 4 YCs in each of the 2 25 minutes halves I saw them play at Loyola. In Fall Ball! Sticks swinging and bodies flying! YIKES!

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Saw Denver play twice in 2021 out west and fall ball a couple of weeks ago in B'more. Until there is more regional consistency in officiating, they will continue to struggle to adjust when they come east. The out-of-control sticks that they are accustomed to getting away with are ridiculous and completely out of the norm, not to mention dangerous. Denver had 4 YCs in each of the 2 25 minutes halves I saw them play at Loyola. In Fall Ball! Sticks swinging and bodies flying! YIKES!

Would you say the reckless stickwork is due to the coach’s encouragement and strategy; or is it a lack of discipline/structure from the coach?