BYU Men's Lacrosse 2016

The Cougars will kick off their season tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 6) taking on in-state foe Utah State at 1 pm at the North University Fields (intramural fields on the north side of campus). I'll likely be there covering the game if anyone is interested in joining me.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

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BYU blows out Utah State, 31-3, to open the season. Game recap here: http://universe.byu.edu/2016/02/06/byu-lacrosse-blows-out-utah-state-31-3/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cougars looking to get back to the championship in 2016 (BYU preseason preview): http://www.utahlacrossenews.com/2016/02/no-8-byu-preseason-preview/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BYU plays UNLV at 1 pm on the North University Fields this Saturday. Preview here: http://bit.ly/1KfEpOK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



"2/13 – UNLV @ BYU – 1:00pm

The only home game on the docket will feature the Rebels of UNLV against the No. 8 BYU Cougars. The Rebels are 1-0 after beating No. 9 San Diego State last weekend, 11-10..."

BYU starts cold, heats up to beat UNLV: http://bit.ly/1R27o7X" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



“We have not been outside since October,” reflected BYU head coach Matt Schneck, “I think it had a little bit of an impact on the guys. I think they just had to get their jitters out a little bit, and we’re definitely going to be spending more time outside next week as we go prepare to play Boise State and Simon Fraser.”

BYU climbs to No. 5 in the latest poll: http://mcla.us/polls/2016/week_1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cougars Grind Out Tough Win Over Broncos: http://bit.ly/1XDSA25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



"The Cougars started the game with a couple of quick goals, but Boise State matched with two goals of their own. BYU, undaunted, came back with two more. The Cougs dominated in the faceoffs, winning the lion’s share, but the Bronco defense was ruthless and relentless. BYU had a slim lead 4-3 at the end of one."

Cougar defense comes up big in win vs No. 20 Simon Fraser: http://bit.ly/1RfX6B8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



"Defense was the name of the game in BYU’s early-season win against Simon Fraser. The Clan had its moments, even leading the contest early in the second quarter, but the Coug’s defense took over and shut The Clan down, giving BYU the 12-8 victory."

After wins over now ranked BSU (No. 19) and SFU (No. 23), the No. 5 Cougars are rewarded by being jumped by Georgia Institute of Technology in the latest poll: http://mcla.us/polls/2016/week_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That doesn't seem like much of a reward.

After an idle week, the Cougars move up one spot to No. 4 in the latest poll: http://mcla.us/polls/2016/week_3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



BYU will have a chance to prove themselves this week as they take on new No. 1 Chapman this Friday in Nevada.

The No. 4 Cougars come up just short in OT vs No. 1 Chapman: http://bit.ly/1Ruml0d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



"The Cougars won the face-off in the critical overtime draw. They wasted the opportunity again turning it over. BYU’s Brandenburg, assisted by his defense, fought off several Chapman shots. The game ended on a designed play with Reilly taking a pass over the goal from X and ripping it. The shot bounced off Brandenburg, and then trickled in underneath giving Chapman the dramatic overtime win, 10 to 9."

We're going to be rewarded with a vicious drop in the poll for almost beating the number 1 team and taking them to OT.

The Cougars rebound and take down No. 15 SDSU handily, 13-7, taking some of the sting out of the weekend. http://bit.ly/24KmzKo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just in case anyone besides me is interested (or even reads this thread), the Cougars host No. 10 Arizona State tomorrow (Saturday, March 12) at 4:00 pm on the North University Fields (the slanted field two or three blocks north of LES). I watched ASU play Westminster on Thursday and they're a solid team, this will be some good, fun lacrosse to watch.

The No.7 Cougars went into their conference tournament as the 3-seed, behind CSU and CU who both beat them in the regular season. However, the Cougars played four solid quarters for perhaps the first time all season for both games, pulling away from CSU in the semifinals (http://bit.ly/1WZFu0F), and CU in the championship to capture the RMLC crown (it's amazing how things can change when the supposedly impartial clock keepers are actually impartial and not sexually harassing your staff -- http://bit.ly/1TApvmA).

I appreciate these posts.

BYU Lacrosse gets a 5-seed in the national tourney and will take on a dangerous Oregon State team in the first round. http://mcla.us/news/2016/05/chapman-grabs-top-seed-in-mcla-i-tourney



The Cougars have been upset in the first round of the national tournament the last two years, and Coach Schneck's teams have traditionally had trouble in the postseason. However, Schneck has the Cougars peaking at the right time, as this is their first conference championship with him at the helm and the last three games have had BYU controlling the tempo, forcing opponents to play at their pace, and pulling away in the fourth with a deep bench. There are a lot of good teams in the field and no true favorite, but it will be disappointing if BYU doesn't make a deep run, especially after the underachievement of the past two seasons.