thoughts on the wlax tournament?

[Rob]

honestly, i think the ODU/HU semifinal is going to be a great game. right now I think JMU is playing really well. to me they are the team to beat even though they arent the #1 seed.

[JMUSuperfan2000]

As much as our teams struggle at ODU, I think we'll pull this one off. We should be in the NCAA's regardless of the tourney, though, based on our ranking, strength of schedule, and big non-con wins. A win tomorrow against Duke would pretty much cement an at-large bid, but I don't think we'll have to worry about that. :wink:

[Al]

I'll be there for both semis and the finals.

Game: #1 seed ODU vs #4 seed HU
When: Saturday, April 26 at noon
Where: ODU's Foreman Field

Records: #17 ODU (11-3, 7-0 CAA), HU (7-6, 4-3 CAA)
ODU biggest wins: #8 JMU, #20 UR, #20 GMU, RV Temple
HU biggest wins: UMass, GMU

Previous meeting: ODU beat HU 12-10 in NY. Close game in the 1st half, ODU led by 1 at the break. ODU quickly took a 9-5 after halftime. HU cut the lead to 1, but ODU scored 3 more goals to put the game out of reach. HU scored their final 2 goals late in the game. Danielle Hensil led ODU with 4 goals, while Suzy Woscyzna had 2 goals and 2 assists.

Players to watch for ODU:
Suzy Woscyzna-Junior forward is ODU's all time leading scorer and one of the top scorers in the nation. An All American last year, she's a major candidate for CAA POY. She can score in a variety of ways and will put points on the board quickly.

Danielle Hensil-Senior midfielder makes things go for ODU. ODU's second option offensively behind Woscyzna. Seems to always come up with a big goal or assist when ODU needs it most.

Melody Shotwell-Sophomore moved from first off the bench to starter this year with ease. Has become a major offensive threat for ODU. Likes to score in spurts.

Michelle Gannon-Only a freshman, Gannon has played every minute in goal this year for ODU. She has to...she's the only goalie on the roster. Although she was thrown into the fire this year, she has come up with some big time saves. She's a candidate for CAA ROY.

[GMU/Towson fan]

I expect Hofstra to give you guys a real tight game, in the semis. I think both you guys are very evenly matched for the most part, and if the upended you it wouldnt really be that much of an upset in my eyes.

I do think, however, that you guys should be the favorite in the tournament, if for no other reason than the perfect regular season. You guys beat JMU earlier this year in head-to-head play and that means something. An ODU-JMU final would be quite the spectacle.

[Al]

ODU and JMU should be the favorites. The tourney is at ODU and ODU went undefeated in the CAA, so they are the SLIGHT favorites. Very slight. ODU beat JMU by 1 earlier this year in Norfolk. ODU scored the winning goal in the final 12 seconds of the game.

Don't be confused by ODU's close games this year. That's just how the season has gone for ODU. They hardly ever blow anyone out. They just win all the 2 or 3 goal games. They just never lose faith.

[Jayhawk]

ODU and JMU should be the favorites. The tourney is at ODU and ODU went undefeated in the CAA, so they are the SLIGHT favorites. Very slight. ODU beat JMU by 1 earlier this year in Norfolk. ODU scored the winning goal in the final 12 seconds of the game.

Don't be confused by ODU's close games this year. That's just how the season has gone for ODU. They hardly ever blow anyone out. They just win all the 2 or 3 goal games. They just never lose faith.

Replies like this is a SLIGHT indication Al was a little RILED UP. <img>

[Al]

I'm always riled up! ;)

Actually, I do think ODU is only a slight favorite. ODU barely beat JMU in the regular season. And while ODU has had an outstanding season so far, JMU has a few more impressive nonconference wins.

But ODU is at home and until a CAA team knocks them off at home, I'll go with ODU.

[odusuperfan]

Go ODU. I'll make all the ODU games but don't care to see the other game.