PSU WLAX NCAA Semi 2day against UNC

[Tom McAndrew]

PSU's WLAX team has made it to the Final Four in the NCAA. Today, they play UNC in a semifinal, at 5 pm. The game is being played at Talen Energy Stadium, in Chester, PA.

There is no TV coverage of the match. ESPN3 will be streaming the match, at THIS LINK. I'll be attending the match, so I may have some comments about it afterwards, but won't be able to post any type of play-by-play, or analysis, during the match.

You can read more about the match, and see an interview with 3 PSU players, at THIS LINK (a GoPSUsports.com article).

This is the 1st time that PSU has made it to the Final Four since 1999. That in itself is kind of strange, as the 1999 appearance by PSU was the 9th time they had appeared in the Final Four in the 18 years that the NCAA had been staging WLAX Championships. You can read more about the 1999 squad, and their support of this year's team, at THIS LINK (a GoPSUsports.com article).

A PhillyLacrosse.com article at THIS LINK shows how many of the players on the PSU and the UNC rosters are from the Philadelphia area.

The winner of this semi, and the semi between Maryland & Syracuse that takes place later tonight, will meet on Sunday at noon, to determine the National Champion.

Go PSU lady LAXers!

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[CF LION]

PSU's WLAX team has made it to the Final Four in the NCAA. Today, they play UNC in a semifinal, at 5 pm. The game is being played at Talen Energy Stadium, in Chester, PA.

There is no TV coverage of the match. ESPN3 will be streaming the match, at THIS LINK. I'll be attending the match, so I may have some comments about it afterwards, but won't be able to post any type of play-by-play, or analysis, during the match.

You can read more about the match, and see an interview with 3 PSU players, at THIS LINK (a GoPSUsports.com article).

This is the 1st time that PSU has made it to the Final Four since 1999. That in itself is kind of strange, as the 1999 appearance by PSU was the 9th time they had appeared in the Final Four in the 18 years that the NCAA had been staging WLAX Championships. You can read more about the 1999 squad, and their support of this year's team, at THIS LINK (a GoPSUsports.com article).

A PhillyLacrosse.com article at THIS LINK shows how many of the players on the PSU and the UNC rosters are from the Philadelphia area.

The winner of this semi, and the semi between Maryland & Syracuse that takes place later tonight, will meet on Sunday at noon, to determine the National Champion.

Go PSU lady LAXers!

Wow. Lots of players from my neck of the woods in Chester County on both squads.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[rohrmd9]

Just saw the score scroll by...5-4 Penn St leads but I have no idea what juncture of the game. Has to be near halftime.

 

[Lion8286]

So far it's been a game of streaks. UNC scored first 3, PSU the next 5, UNC the next 3.

 

[hlstone]

End of 1rst. Unc 6-5

 

[Lion8286]

End of 1rst. Unc 6-5

7-6

 

[hlstone]

7-6

LOL yep. I knew it was a 1 goal difference .

 

[PSFox]

Score please. How much time

 

[TheGLOV]

Score??

 

[bdgan]

MAJOR pet peeve of mine, protect the stick! SWITCH HANDS!!!!!

We do not switch hands enough. You have got to protect it. "Shoulder, shoulder stick" at all times.

Women's lacrosse sucks. NC runs around for 5 minutes w/o attempting a shot. Fouls called on the slightest contact. Players standing on a line they are not allowed to cross. Ugh!

 

[PSFox]

11-12 UNC Final. PSU rushed a shot in the final minute.

Thanks.

 

[hlstone]

I can't wait for the shot clock next year.

 

[hlstone]

Ned, What do the girls think of the shot clock?

 

[NittanyLionFan]

At least they created a turnover with 1:30 left to have a shot at OT! As a lacrosse neophyte (so my observation is worth little!), I would agree that shot clock is sorely needed... it seems to take away from the game when you just hold the ball for 5+ minutes and avoid obvious scoring opportunities to avoid a potential turnover and rather just run a lot, lot of clock. Then again, I might feel differently if PSU were on the other side of the score, lol!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

was a great time at the game. There was a PSU Phan Cave pregame, as well as the WLAX parents holding a tailgate right next to it. I spent more time with the parents, as I know several of them. I did see Sandy at the Phan Cave, but didn't speak with her. There were quite a few former PSU WLAX players in attendance. Those from recent years all were really happy that PSU had made it the Final Four.

I think Talen Energy Stadium has taken some lessons from PSU on making it difficult to enter. At the entrances, there are actually 3 gates that could be opened. As best as I could tell, they only had 1 of the 3 open at each of the entrances. It took me about 12 minutes to get through the line -- just made it to my seat for the player introductions.

I've gotten spoiled from PSU's LAX venue, and other LAX venues. Talen Energy Stadium is a great soccer stadium, but I felt pretty far from the action, and I was only about 10 rows up from the seats closest to the field.

It was a could of, would of, should of game. PSU could just as easily have won it. The differences between the two teams were pretty minor. Without looking at the game stats, I thought UNC won more draws, and got better goal tending. The turnovers were about the same, though PSU had some that were due to being sloppy at protecting the ball while carrying it, and others from making passes to cutting attackers that were too close to the goal when the pass arrived.

it did not start out well, as UNC scored the first three goals. PSU then reeled off five straight, and looked good. At that point, PSU started losing draws again, and also seemed to run out of some steam (the heat took a toll, and PSU did sub a lot more than they normally do -- I think to get some of their stars short breathers).

It was 6-7 at the half. PSU got off a shot just before the buzzer. Give the UNC goalie credit. The girl that took the shot had gone high right on every shot in the 1st half, but this time went goal left low (as facing the goalie), and the goalie stoned her.

UNC opened the 2nd half well, and had it at 7-10 with 21 minutes left. PSU went on a bit of a roll, and got it to 10-12 with 10:11 left. Alas, PSU lost the draw, and then had to play down a player due to a yellow card (a good call -- happened right in front of me). PSU was somewhat fortunate that a UNC goal was waved off when the scorer's stick did not pass the stick check after the goal.

PSU closed it to 11-12 with 7:13 left. And once again, UNC won the draw. They really ran the clock down. Next year in college WLAX, there will be a 90 sec. clock, so UNC would not have been able to run things down as long as they did.

PSU did get a turnover with around 1:35 left (I didn't mark the exact time). PSU's Ally Heavens made a strong move to goal, but was fouled while going to goal. (Three defenders collapsed on her during her attempt.) I believe it was outside the 8 meter, so the lane was cleared for her but not the arc. She did not attempt a shot on the restart. After it got passed around, PSU's Steph Lazo attempted a shot from a very tough angle with around 45 sec. left (again, I didn't mark the time). I'm not sure if her shot hit the post or the goalie blocked it, but UNC gained possession. It was not a high percentage shot, but there wasn't a lot of time, and UNC was really packing in the D at that point. Sometimes those shots go in, and sometimes they don't.

UNC pretty much ran out the game after that. PSU got a turnover with about 10 sec. left, but their desperation heave up the field was picked off by UNC, so PSU didn't get a last shot, and lost 11-12.

Some of the seniors were pretty upset after the game. Most of them recovered after meeting with their family, boyfriends, or friends after the game. I spoke with several of them after the game, and thanked them for a great season. I also congratulated the head coach on a great season, and told her I hope to see PSU in many future Final Fours.

 

[PSU&Trout]

was a great time at the game. There was a PSU Phan Cave pregame, as well as the WLAX parents holding a tailgate right next to it. I spent more time with the parents, as I know several of them. I did see Sandy at the Phan Cave, but didn't speak with her. There were quite a few former PSU WLAX players in attendance. Those from recent years all were really happy that PSU had made it the Final Four.

I think Talen Energy Stadium has taken some lessons from PSU on making it difficult to enter. At the entrances, there are actually 3 gates that could be opened. As best as I could tell, they only had 1 of the 3 open at each of the entrances. It took me about 12 minutes to get through the line -- just made it to my seat for the player introductions.

I've gotten spoiled from PSU's LAX venue, and other LAX venues. Talen Energy Stadium is a great soccer stadium, but I felt pretty far from the action, and I was only about 10 rows up from the seats closest to the field.

It was a could of, would of, should of game. PSU could just as easily have won it. The differences between the two teams were pretty minor. Without looking at the game stats, I thought UNC won more draws, and got better goal tending. The turnovers were about the same, though PSU had some that were due to being sloppy at protecting the ball while carrying it, and others from making passes to cutting attackers that were too close to the goal when the pass arrived.

it did not start out well, as UNC scored the first three goals. PSU then reeled off five straight, and looked good. At that point, PSU started losing draws again, and also seemed to run out of some steam (the heat took a toll, and PSU did sub a lot more than they normally do -- I think to get some of their stars short breathers).

It was 6-7 at the half. PSU got off a shot just before the buzzer. Give the UNC goalie credit. The girl that took the shot had gone high right on every shot in the 1st half, but this time went goal left low (as facing the goalie), and the goalie stoned her.

UNC opened the 2nd half well, and had it at 7-10 with 21 minutes left. PSU went on a bit of a roll, and got it to 10-12 with 10:11 left. Alas, PSU lost the draw, and then had to play down a player due to a yellow card (a good call -- happened right in front of me). PSU was somewhat fortunate that a UNC goal was waved off when the scorer's stick did not pass the stick check after the goal.

PSU closed it to 11-12 with 7:13 left. And once again, UNC won the draw. They really ran the clock down. Next year in college WLAX, there will be a 90 sec. clock, so UNC would not have been able to run things down as long as they did.

PSU did get a turnover with around 1:35 left (I didn't mark the exact time). PSU's Ally Heavens made a strong move to goal, but was fouled while going to goal. (Three defenders collapsed on her during her attempt.) I believe it was outside the 8 meter, so the lane was cleared for her but not the arc. She did not attempt a shot on the restart. After it got passed around, PSU's Steph Lazo attempted a shot from a very tough angle with around 45 sec. left (again, I didn't mark the time). I'm not sure if her shot hit the post or the goalie blocked it, but UNC gained possession. It was not a high percentage shot, but there wasn't a lot of time, and UNC was really packing in the D at that point. Sometimes those shots go in, and sometimes they don't.

UNC pretty much ran out the game after that. PSU got a turnover with about 10 sec. left, but their desperation heave up the field was picked off by UNC, so PSU didn't get a last shot, and lost 11-12.

Some of the seniors were pretty upset after the game. Most of them recovered after meeting with their family, boyfriends, or friends after the game. I spoke with several of them after the game, and thanked them for a great season. I also congratulated the head coach on a great season, and told her I hope to see PSU in many future Final Fours.

You are a good trooper!

 

[UncleLar]

PSU's WLAX team has made it to the Final Four in the NCAA. Today, they play UNC in a semifinal, at 5 pm. The game is being played at Talen Energy Stadium, in Chester, PA.

There is no TV coverage of the match. ESPN3 will be streaming the match, at THIS LINK. I'll be attending the match, so I may have some comments about it afterwards, but won't be able to post any type of play-by-play, or analysis, during the match.

Go PSU lady LAXers!

I'm glad nobody told my TiVo. When I returned from Philly this afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my TiVo had picked up a 6 am this morning delayed broadcast of the game on ESPNU. You might want to check to see if it's being rebroadcast at any other time. Even though we lost, the game is worth a rewatch given how hard the girls played. They could have mailed it in several times in this game but continued to fight back. UNC knows that they were in one heckuva dogfight.

 

[UncleLar]

I've gotten spoiled from PSU's LAX venue, and other LAX venues. Talen Energy Stadium is a great soccer stadium, but I felt pretty far from the action, and I was only about 10 rows up from the seats closest to the field..

We must have been pretty close. I was in row M.

I also saw Sandy at the Phan Cave and did speak to her - basically barging my way past her to get a beer, I said "I've been told in weather like this, I'm supposed to drink plenty of fluids.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

We must have been pretty close. I was in row M.

possibly very close. I was in row K. Depends on which section you were in.

You might want to check to see if it's being rebroadcast at any other time. Even though we lost, the game is worth a rewatch given how hard the girls played. They could have mailed it in several times in this game but continued to fight back. UNC knows that they were in one heckuva dogfight.

Good suggestion. I thought it might also be available to access a video stream via ESPN3. I believe you can load things they've streamed after the event.

As you noted, PSU really did fight back, and UNC knows they were in a real dogfight. I didn't mention in my earlier summary that UNC made a goalie change during a timeout, when they had given up 5 goals, after their early 3-0 lead over PSU. That may have been one of the keys of the game for UNC.

Also, I was pleasantly surprised by many of the Maryland fans I met. Their team was playing in the 2nd semi, against Syracuse. Before and after the PSU match, quite a few of them told me that they had been rooting for PSU in the 1st semi.

As for the UNC fans, I can't say much about them that was positive. Granted, I did not engage any of them in a conversation pre- or post-game. However, I was seated amongst, and next to, a large group of UNC fans. They were very loud, and very obnoxious to the refs and to the PSU players, and they were also pretty clueless about the WLAX rules. I'm always surprised when folks that know so little about the rules feel a need to be so loud in the things they call out about the refs, the rules, etc.

Sorry that I didn't know you were in the Phan Cave. I certainly would have enjoyed meeting you.

 

[UncleLar]

possibly very close. I was in row K. Depends on which section you were in.



Good suggestion. I thought it might also be available to access a video stream via ESPN3. I believe you can load things they've streamed after the event.

As you noted, PSU really did fight back, and UNC knows they were in a real dogfight. I didn't mention in my earlier summary that UNC made a goalie change during a timeout, when they had given up 5 goals, after their early 3-0 lead over PSU. That may have been one of the keys of the game for UNC.

Also, I was pleasantly surprised by many of the Maryland fans I met. Their team was playing in the 2nd semi, against Syracuse. Before and after the PSU match, quite a few of them told me that they had been rooting for PSU in the 1st semi.

As for the UNC fans, I can't say much about them that was positive. Granted, I did not engage any of them in a conversation pre- or post-game. However, I was seated amongst, and next to, a large group of UNC fans. They were very loud, and very obnoxious to the refs and to the PSU players, and they were also pretty clueless about the WLAX rules. I'm always surprised when folks that know so little about the rules feel a need to be so loud in the things they call out about the refs, the rules, etc.

Sorry that I didn't know you were in the Phan Cave. I certainly would have enjoyed meeting you.

I got tickets through the Lacrosse Alumni group so I was sitting with them in, I think, section 109. I was right on the aisle and the section next to us was packed with UNC fans which I'm guessing is where you were.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I got tickets through the Lacrosse Alumni group so I was sitting with them in, I think, section 109. I was right on the aisle and the section next to us was packed with UNC fans which I'm guessing is where you were.

Turns out we were on opposite sides of the stadium. I was in Section 129. The UNC fans pretty much owned Section 130.

Sec. 109 was opposite the PSU bench.

I was behind the UNC bench, and a bit below it.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

BTW, how about UNC handing Maryland their 1st defeat of the season, in today's NCAA Championship? I didn't see the match, so I have no personal observations. Maryland defeated UNC by 1 goal during the regular season, and UNC defeated PSU by 1 goal in their semifinal. That said, UNC bested Maryland in the NCAA final by a surprising score of 13-7. Maryland was only held to less than 10 goals in 2 games this season -- their victory against UNC, and their defeat today to UNC.