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| LaxPower WD1 Forum Poll #11 April 30, 2007 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Points | 1st | Previous |
| 1 | Northwestern | 280 | 14 | 1 |
| 2 | Penn | 254 | 4 | |
| 3 | Virginia | 251 | 6 | |
| 4 | North Carolina | 229 | 5 | |
| 5 | Maryland | 226 | 2 | |
| 6 | Duke | 222 | 3 | |
| 7 | Syracuse | 203 | 7 | |
| 8 | Yale | 158 | 9 | |
| 9 | Georgetown | 153 | 10 | |
| 10 | Vanderbilt | 152 | 11 | |
| 11 | Princeton | 133 | 12 | |
| 12 | Johns Hopkins | 131 | 13 | |
| 13 | James Madison | 110 | 8 | |
| 14 | Denver | 103 | 15 | |
| 15t | Notre Dame | 78 | 14 | |
| 15t | Rutgers | 78 | 16 | |
| 17 | Penn State | 34 | 17 | |
| 18 | Richmond | 32 | 19 | |
| 19t | Hofstra | 28 | NR | |
| 19t | Connecticut | 28 | 20 | |
| Others receiving votes: Boston University (21), Ohio State (16), Dartmouth (13), Stony Brook (4), Drexel (2), Delaware (1) | ||||
Number of voters: 14 (bearlax12, bikerboy, dbf339, draw18, eshea3, Laximus, Laxword, Lionwatcher, Mike Fekula, mytwokeepers, socrlaxdad, threeputt, ums, Unibrow) Pollsters' Comments About Teams They Ranked Northwestern: The Queen still reigns supreme! (bearlax12) — Demonstrating depth in every game and still playing with passion. (dbf339) — If anyone wondered where Kristen Kjellman has been, first of all, silly you! But now for those stats mongers, she has her numbers ... along with the rest of the rest of her teammates. This team is steamrolling through everyone. (draw18) — Don't see anyone that can hang with the 15-1 Wildcats right now. (Laxword) — Kicking butt and taking no prisoners. Nielsen and Kjellman combine for 29 points in two games over the weekend. Maybe the best 1-2 scoring combination in the nation. Defense gave up 4 goals a game this week and under 6 for the season. What is the weakness? I do not know if they have any. Trip to Baltimore this week, couple of one-game weekends, and then on to see Benjamin. (Lionwatcher) — Can anyone stop the Wildcats? At this point, I doubt it. (Mike Fekula) — At least the #1 team is easy. (mytwokeepers) — 'Cats outscore this week's three opponents 52-13; next is the PSU-OSU winner. Can anybody stop this train? (socrlaxdad) — Chewing teams up awaiting the next run to the title. How many teams are hoping they aren't the #4 seed? (Unibrow) Penn: Haven't seen anything to make me change my mind. Still my #2. (bearlax12) — Remarkable season for this Ivy champion - I am looking for this team to do well in post-season play. (dbf339) — The Quakers have been just winning, thanks to solid play up and down the field. It starts with Sarah Waxman in the cage, but with Hillary Renna, Rachel Manson, and Ali DeLuca, Penn is clicking. Big game against Syracuse this week. (draw18) — Probably not #2, but no one else seems to want it. A win over Syracuse this week would solidify position and NCAA seed. (Laxword) — Took the weekend off to admire the lofty view from this perch. HUGE game in the Dome, which is a weird place to play women's lacrosse. Win and you sleep in your own beds; lose and you may be traveling in the second round to ACC territory. This week's score could be a baseball game with the way these two teams are playing D. (Lionwatcher) — OK, they have the great record, but now have to prove they deserve their rep in the NCAA tournament. The jury is still out. (Mike Fekula) — Not sure why I give Penn the #3 spot without a measuring stick game against against one of the ACC giants. Still, I like what I see. (mytwokeepers) — The Quakers will face a "hot" Syracuse team on the road this weekend - sounds like perfect prep for the NCAAs. (socrlaxdad) — Just when the Quakers thought they could start "dancing," out of the blue they find a top-10 opponent on their schedule for their last game. Could a loss against Syracuse knock Penn out of a top 4 seed?? Yes! (Unibrow) Virginia: Once again, the Cavaliers rise to the top of the ACC! (bearlax12) — With decisive wins over Maryland and Carolina, they seem to be hitting their stride at the right point for a run at the NCAA championship. (dbf339) — The Cavaliers are hot right now. That's pretty simple. They will take an exam break ... and hope that what they have done will give them two weekends at home. Brittany Kalkstein is a strong contender for national rookie of the year honors. (draw18) — It's that kind of season where the 4th seed wins the ACC tournament. (Laxword) — I said early in the year they don't get into the top 4 because they don't play the Cats. Now I have them at #2 because they won the ACC demolition derby, coming from the back row and beating the other back row starter. Now Johnny, tell them what they won. "They get to sleep in their own beds until Memorial Day weekend." (Lionwatcher) — Wins over Maryland and North Carolina vault the Cavaliers into the #2 spot behind Northwestern. The 12-6 margin over UNC in the ACC Finals was wider than anyone would expect. (Mike Fekula) — Hot at the right time. #2. (mytwokeepers) — 'Hoos take down last week's #4 and #5 on the way to their second straight ACC title. (socrlaxdad) — A convincing ACC championship earned in the ACC tournament meat grinder. How could this team have gotten embarrassed by Hopkins two weeks ago?? Could a #4 NCAA seed and possible date with Northwestern be in the future, since the Hoos are the only Big 4 ACC team yet to play the Wildcats? (Unibrow) North Carolina: Tasted the sweetness of revenge and the bitter aftertaste. Oh well, just a typical week in the ACC! (bearlax12) — I never underestimate the talent on this roster! (dbf339) — The Tar Heels got a much needed win with their semifinal tilt over Duke--and then ran into the UVa buzzsaw. Kristin Taylor, Amber Falcone, and Megan Bosica are the future of the UNC team; it will be exciting to see them develop over the next couple of years. (draw18) — Tied Duke at 22-22 for the two-game split but then were upset by the Hoos. (Laxword) — Great win against the Dookies, but at home. Tough loss against the Hoos, and at home? Sure tourney bet, but on the road in the second round and could be a third meeting with one of the participants in the demolition derby. (Lionwatcher) — Get a narrow win over Duke before falling to Virginia; like UVa, the Heels have crept back into the national picture. Can they avoid the late-season disappointments that have plagued them in past years? (Mike Fekula) — 'Heels get some measure of revenge with a one-goal win over Duke, but UVa dismantles them in the second half of the ACC championship. (socrlaxdad) — Goalie juggling at this stage of the season is a sign of panic. May be time to shorten the bench. (Unibrow) Maryland: Given the ACC results, a win over Princeton will ensure a first-round home game. (bearlax12) — Tough loss to Virginia, but this team will pull it together for the long haul. (dbf339) — Just when you think the Terps are back where they belong, they run into a wall. A quick note: Reports from this weekend called the Terp staff one of the classiest in the nation. Not that it mutes the sting of the loss, but ultimately, that's a huge compliment coming from officials. (draw18) — Lost ACC and NCAA seeding to Virginia. Still has Princeton left to get some of that back. (Laxword) — Drop one in my book off the close loss to the Hoos. Lesson learned? D wins championships, and patience is a virtue. (Isn't it great when you can use cliches that are actually true?) If they take care of business, they probably stay away from the Cats until Sunday night (if they get that far). (Lionwatcher) — Loss to UVa in ACC semifinals is a temporary momentum killer. Must quickly regroup for annual regular season ending game vs. improving Princeton. (Mike Fekula) — Knocked off by the 'Hoos at the ACC tourney, Terps will host Princeton to wrap the regular season. (socrlaxdad) — ACC Coach of the Year given a lesson in ball control versus Virginia. Has one game before NCAAs to straighten out her team after 4th quarter implosion vs. Hooettes in ACC tourney. Too bad it's against a Princeton team that absolutely must win. (Unibrow) Duke: Mother Lacrose giveth and Mother Lacrosse taketh away! Still gets a high seed for the dance. (bearlax12) — The Blue Devils might be the odd one out in the mix of teams--odd in that only four get to host the quarterfinals--but there are a number of teams who are eligible, so to speak. While that's for another forum, Duke still needs to beef up its defense. (draw18) — Love to see a rubber match with UNC. (Laxword) — Dropped to number 6? Huge disappointment in R-D, but where do you put them. I said early it's NU and the ACC tied for second, not too far from true, except the Quakers have crashed the party. When was the last time the Devils traveled in the second round of the tournament? (Lionwatcher) — Narrow loss to UNC in ACC tournament is a pothole in the road for this talented squad. (Mike Fekula) — Disappointing ACC semis loss ... Dartmouth will visit Durham to close out the regular season. (socrlaxdad) — Ran out of time in UNC rematch. With #2 RPI in country, expect a top 4 seed if the Dookies handle a Dartmouth team that appears to have given up. (Unibrow) Syracuse: Winning the Big East, while others were losing the ACC, moves the Orange to #4. (bearlax12) — Congrats to the Big East winner - with their offensive firepower, this team could be a post-season contender. (dbf339) — Congrats to the Big East champions! The Orange have come around, and they are playing great ball right now. While it looks like they might have earned a first-round home game, there is a big game coming up against Penn. Katie Rowan wants to make sure it is not their last at home. (draw18) — Big East Winner locks up the AQ ... and it wasn't Georgetown. (Laxword) — I had them at #7 last week, and they do not move up in my book. They took care of business. Even a win over the Quakers probably does not get them two home games. (Lionwatcher) — The Big East champions with a program-defining win over Georgetown. The Orange has arrived! (Mike Fekula) — Good win over G-Town, but I wish the Orange had played another ACC team since their early season loss to UVa. Still #7. (mytwokeepers) — Orange use home field and tough "D" to win the the inaugural Big East Tourney. (socrlaxdad) — A Big East title, combined with a win over Penn this week, may get the Orange a top 4 seed and home cooking for the first two rounds of the NCAAs. (Unibrow) Yale: Using the Tiger Woods method to move up the ladder. (bearlax12) — This team should get a bid to the dance despite strength of schedule anemia. (dbf339) — The Bulldogs have to wait. They have points in Lauren Taylor and saves in Ellen Cameron. They also have tenacity points from a group of women who were not picked to be in the top half of the conference. (draw18) — Done. Just waiting for the NCAA seedings. (Laxword) — DNP this week. Sitting at home in New Haven worrying, "Have we done enough?" No quality wins except P-ton. If P-ton beats G-town, do they drag the smart kids from Connecticut in with them? (Lionwatcher) — Memo to Selection Committee: this team finishes the season with nine wins in a row and a 13-3 record. What else do they have to do to get in? (Mike Fekula) — Ivy #2 Bulldogs await their NCAA fate. (socrlaxdad) — Bulldogettes in a tough spot with no more games, a marginal RPI, and their biggest RPI wins on the road against powerful teams. Will a 2nd place Ivy finish get them in??? (Unibrow) Georgetown: Joins the list of bubble teams. Princeton becomes a must win to make the tournament. (bearlax12) — The Hoyas still have Coco Stanwick; she is not going to let this season close with a whimper. There are a number of talented players on this team, and they can use the experience they have in tournamets to make a difference. (draw18) — With loss to 'Cuse, welcome to the bubble! A win against Princeton would be a good insurance policy. (Laxword) — Stayed pat even with the loss to the Cuse and the relatively unimpressive win against ND. Visiting the Garden State this week, with a win probably getting them one at home (unless the NCAA is still angry) and then a trip to Chicago. How's that for motivation? Don't over look the Tigers, as it may be do or die for them. (Lionwatcher) — Loss to Syracuse was a mild surprise, but the Hoyas are still a postseason factor. (Mike Fekula) — Hoyas need a win at Princeton to wrap up an NCAA first-round home game. (socrlaxdad) — After being the dumpee in the Big East tournament, the only hope Georgetown has of getting to the NCAAs is a season-ending victory over another team that must win, Princeton, on their senior day. (Unibrow) Vanderbilt: Solidifying their dance credentials, but must get by Hopkins to ensure reception of a bid. (bearlax12) — Back on track after some early shaky outings. The game on Friday against JHU should be very exciting. (dbf339) — Vandy has come on strong in the second half of the season; were it not for a bizarre loss to Stanford, the 'Dores have won five in a row and eight out of nine. Margie Curran and Sascha Cielak have put this team on their backs and are moving into the NCAA championships. (draw18) — Commodores playing great ball in April. Huge ALC tourney game with Hopkins with winner going to the dance. (Laxword) — Beat up the Big Red (who were not so big this year). May need to get to the finals at Homewood this weekend, because third place in the ALC may not cut it. (Lionwatcher) — Final regular season win over Cornell was five in a row to finish strong. (Mike Fekula) — Commodores face the Blue Jays at Home(wood) in the ALC semis. (socrlaxdad) — How's this sound? Win two games this week and the NCAA tourney will make a stop in Nashville. Win only one game and there may be no NCAA at all. (Unibrow) Princeton: Just needs to keep winning! (bearlax12) — It's put-up or shut-up time for the Tigers. Two huge games against Maryland and Georgetown are on the horizon. They can play their way into the tournament, or they can enjoy an early summer. (draw18) — Probably needs to beat both Maryland and Georgetown this week to get off the NCAA bubble. (Laxword) — Ok, the offense showed up, but they only had to roll out of bed. Better roll out of bed again this week against the Hoyas. Tournament life could be on the line. I do not think the Ivy gets three this year, and they lost head to head to the Bulldogs. (Lionwatcher) — Wins over Brown and Columbia indicate Tigers may finally be playing well at the right time. (Mike Fekula) — Tigers close out the season with Terps and Hoyas, and even a sweep of these two may not snag an NCAA berth. (socrlaxdad) — I see the future. Wins against Maryland and Georgetown this week open the door to the NCAA tournament for the Tigeresses. (Unibrow) Johns Hopkins: Key and Schwarzmann were too much for the Lions to handle. Can they handle Vandy the second time around? (bearlax12) — The Hop is peaking -- and at a good time, as they are hosting the ALC tournament this weekend. The Vandy game could determine if the Hop gets a first-round home game. Even so, the future is very bright for this squad. (draw18) — Beat Penn State to lock up all or nothing ALC match-up with Vandy. (Laxword) — Moving on up, on the East Coast, to a deluxe spot in the ALC tourney in Homewood. Must take care of Towson and then move into the finals of the ALC to reverse their treatment last year. Will Vandy vs. the Blue Jays be for all the tournament marbles? (Lionwatcher) — 17-10 win over Penn State solidifies the Blue Jays in the Top 10. Mary Key’s stats now reach 56 goals, 45 assists on the season. (Mike Fekula) — Jays need to win the ALC tourney to assure an NCAA bid ... Home(wood) will be rocking this weekend. (socrlaxdad) — The Phoenix has arisen on Charles Street! On the edge of the abyss only two weeks ago, could two wins this week not only get the Jayettes into the NCAAs but get them a home game as well? (Unibrow) James Madison: Winning the Colonial is now a must! (bearlax12) — Recent losses to unranked teams indicates this team peaked too early. (dbf339) — Injuries have hurt the Dukes, who were well on their way to a top-10 season. Last year losing Berger was a big loss, and losing someone midway through the season doesn't help the situation. Berger is having an incredible year, as are transfers Wagner and Fuchs. JMU will still need the CAA title, though. (draw18) — Lost CAA regular season to Hofstra and now must win the CAA tourney to avoid a very shaky bubble. (Laxword) — Dropping like a stone. If they do not retake their Pride next weekend in Strong Island, they will have dropped all the way from a sure thing to sure not thing. (Lionwatcher) — With losses to struggling William & Mary and then Hofstra, has JMU played themselves out of the tournament? Win over George Mason may be too little to late. (Mike Fekula) — Losing two of last three CAA games is not a good sign heading into the conference tourney. (socrlaxdad) — Did I read somewhere about an Achilles' heel on this team? How about an Achilles' leg? The only way to the NCAAs is by winning the CAA tournament now. (Unibrow) Denver: Keeps winning, while others lose! (bearlax12) — Strength of schedule is an issue for this promising team. (dbf339) — The Pioneers are playing great ball. Unfortunately they are playing it against teams that will not help them as much. As the West continues to expand (Boise State, the rest of the Pac-10?), there will be a berth for the conference champion in the future. (draw18) — Pioneers have the second best record in the country at 15-2 and still haven't beaten a ranked team. Still need to sweep the MPSF tourney to get to the dance. (Laxword) — Beat UCal, so what, and in a close game. Terrific season, but I think they can go skiing (if there still is snow). Need to really dominate the West this week to improve the chances. (Lionwatcher) — The Pioneers survive a close call against California. Young players like Ali Flury and Australian Karen Morton are stepping up. (Mike Fekula) — 15 wins, top 10 ... 'nuff said. (socrlaxdad) — Helped in "Quest" by Penn State blowout. Just keep winning, baby, and hope for a good week by Duke and Hopkins. (Unibrow) Notre Dame: Three straight losses does not bode well for the Irish. (bearlax12) — The Fighting Irish have hit a tough stretch, and losing three in a row makes for a tough statement. ND has some edge with wins over a healthy JMU and Yale as well as OSU, but they haven't helped themselves in the last two weeks. (draw18) — Done. After a great start, the Big East #4 won't cut it. (Laxword) — I move them up, even on the loss, but a close loss, to the Hoyas. Sitting around South Bend wondering, Top of the Bubble or Bubble Bust? If they are in, the entire team will have to get their hair colored to remove the gray. (Lionwatcher) — Losses to Rutgers, then to Georgetown early in the Big East tournament find this up and down squad on a downward slide at the wrong time. (Mike Fekula) — Three-game losing streak (including the Big East semis) probably keeps the Irish at home in May. (socrlaxdad) — Irish need to start gathering their four-leaf clovers in order to make it back to the NCAAs this year. Four losses in last six games don't do much for the ol' resume. (Unibrow) Rutgers: All the Knights can do now is wait and hope. (bearlax12) — The Scarlet Knights have done a phenomenal job this year behind Michelle Poole and Katie Batiuk, but huge kudos to Erika Page. Being a freshman keeper is never easy, and she has done a bang-up job. (draw18) — Big East #3 had a great season, but that's probably as far as it will go. (Laxword) — Moved up a bit in my book based upon some "good losses." Held NU to only 15, something Duke and others could not do. Nice loss to the Cuse. Missing my morning show because of them, but gotta show them some "very improved" love. (Lionwatcher) — The Scarlet Knights were Syracuse’s victim in the Big East semis, but they finish the season 12-5 and belong in the Show. They are more than "New Jersey's Other Team." (Mike Fekula) — Losing at NU and SU could keep the Knights out of the NCAAs. (socrlaxdad) — Nice rebounding season finally runs out at Big East tournament. (Unibrow) Penn State: Need a miracle in the ALC tournament. (bearlax12) — The Nittany Lions have run into a stretch of bad luck -- again. Injuries are taking their toll on this team that is very good. They have a win over UNC but will need a lot of help to get to the tournament. (draw18) — Lions late-season collapse leaves them barely clinging to top 20 slot. (eshea3) — Upset of UNC keeps 8-7 Lions around but the #5 team in the ALC ain't going anywhere else. (Laxword) — One foot injury away? Win the play in game, beat NU, OK play them really tight and hope? Some big wins, some tight and tough losses, but the last one to the Hop may have bagged the Lions. Sooooooo close to a huge season. (Lionwatcher) — Losses to Ohio State and Johns Hopkins may have doomed the Nittany Lions. (Mike Fekula) — Lions carry a four-game losing streak into the ALC first round. (socrlaxdad) — It's time to stick a fork in the Nittanys. (Unibrow) Richmond: A-10 champs! No time to celebrate, as the conference tournament is next. (bearlax12) — Clinched the A-10 #1 seed, as Spiders still finding different ways to win. Played a great game against the league leading Bonnies then came close to letting Duquesne get away. Must win the tourney to go to the NCAAs. (Laxword) — Spiders climbing back into it with some nice wins against the conference. Must beat win the A-10 to Dance that funky spider dance. (Lionwatcher) — A-10 Co-Champs need to win the tourney at Temple. (socrlaxdad) Hofstra: Home field advantage for the CAA tournament. (bearlax12) — The Pride are playing like they have been capable of, and that's dangerous news for the CAA. With the talent of Hiller and McGrath, Hofstra can do some damage. A CAA title and the NCAA berth could really upset the apple cart. (draw18) — Look out; here come the Pride with a late-season surge. (eshea3) — 10-6 Pride playing good ball after slow start, culminating with the JMU win. They must repeat their act, as I have a feeling that only the CAA tourney winner will end up with a ranking and go to the dance. (Laxword) — Pride of Strong Island and the latest victim of hungry Cats. Hung with the Cats for, oh, five minutes, then the mauling began. No shame in that. Read those ranked above you and tick them off one by one, they all got taken to the wood shed (obviously no wood shed in Chapel Hill). (Lionwatcher) — The Pride, CAA #1 seed, knock off JMU before getting thumped in Evanston. (socrlaxdad) — Hammered home the point this week that JMU isn't a water walker yet. The problem is, they have to do it twice. (Unibrow) Connecticut: Nice Senior Day victory for the Huskies. (bearlax12) — Shannon Burke is one of the most impressive players out there this year. (dbf339) — A solid season for the Huskies, who have been able to ride Shannon Burke to a national ranking. They have flirted with this before, and this time it was sustained. A shame they were the odd ones out in the Big East Tourney, but what great motivation. (draw18) — Done, as the Huskies finished 10-6 with ranking based more on "good" losses than wins. (Laxword) — Huskies stay in the Top 20, but out of the Dance. Nice job this year. (Lionwatcher) — Loss to Georgetown, win over Quinnipiac put Huskies on the bubble for the tournament. (Mike Fekula) Boston University: Seven-game win streak launches the Terriers into the AE tournament. (bearlax12) — Not ranked: Terriers playing better and peaking at the right time, but the America East Tournament is not a sure thing. (Laxword) — America East #2 ... must win to get the AQ. (socrlaxdad) — An AE tournament championship would mark a Cinderella turnaround. In a weak conference, anything is possible. (Unibrow) Ohio State: The Buckeyes have been knocking at the door for a while, and behind solid play from Kristen Gilwee in the cage and Kristen Slahor up front, this pair has helped OSU earn a nod in the top 20. (draw18) — Not ranked: Only quality win (PSU) seems to be tarnishing recently. (Laxword) — The Buckeyes proving they are for real and not a moment too soon. (Mike Fekula) — A game season by the Buckeyettes. Wait 'til next year. (Unibrow) Dartmouth: Done - nothing left to play for but pride. (bearlax12) — Not ranked: I never thought I would say this, but a 17-8 loss to BU knocks the Big Green out of the top 20. Only an upset of Duke will get them back in. (Laxword) — Green drops when they get bitten by the Terriers. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I have two names for you: Lizzy Cuneo and Devon Wills. Nuff said. (Lionwatcher) — What happened here?!? (Mike Fekula) — Big Green closes out with BC and Duke ... and that's all folks. (socrlaxdad) — It's apparent that this team can't wait to call it a season. (Unibrow) Stony Brook: Not ranked: Win or lose in the AE Tournament, 13-3 Stony Brook is to be applauded for building a solid team and taking everyone by surprise. (Laxword) — America East #1 ... must win to get the AQ. (socrlaxdad) — Need to win two at home in the AE Tournament and an NCAA spot is theirs! (Unibrow) Drexel: The fired up Dragons are ready to burn their way through the Colonial tournament. (bearlax12) — Despite beating UDel the Dragons miss out on the CAA Tourney. (socrlaxdad) Delaware: The Blue Hens need to fly through the Colonial tournament. But can a hen fly? (bearlax12) — Not ranked: Could be the CAA dark horse. (Laxword) — Those Fighting Blue Hens finishing strong with wins over Loyola and Villanova. (Mike Fekula) — 'Hens claim CAA 3rd seed. (socrlaxdad) — Loss of late-season traction makes a CAA tourney title the only way in to the NCAAs. (Unibrow) Other Teams Pollsters Considered (and comments, if any) Massachusetts: Although a little up and down, still my second-favorite team. Is that DeBeer girl unbelievable and with sick stick tricks? (Lionwatcher) Loyola: What happened here? - Part II. (Mike Fekula) Monmouth: Hawks will face the Le Moyne Dolphins in the NCAA play-in game. (socrlaxdad) UMBC: I guess it was too early last season annointing the new coaches as saviors. An inconsistent season turned ugly at the end. (Unibrow) | ||||
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