8/29 vs. Virginia Tech [R]

Just thought I'd start a thread on this since it is coming up. . .

-SciFi

Anyone going to this game?

-SciFi

I'll be there. The men look like they have a pretty good schedule this year. I don't plan on missing any home games when I'm in town.

After a disastrous year a couple years ago, the Pilot men got back to the tournament where we all think they belong. Now they have to take a step up and get a bit deeper into the tournament. It's going to be a tough year to do it. Last I checked, Santa Clara was #1 in the country, so getting the automatic bid is going to be near impossible (yeah, I know, we just have to knock them off twice).

That means we are going to have to do well out of conference to get an at large in the 48 team field.

Virgina tech would make that road a lot easier, if we managed to win or even tie that game.

At first glance you see that VT is projected to be 5th in their conference - so - should be easy, right?


Well they are #10 in the NSCAA poll and #24 in topdrawer, so.... oops.

It'll be a battle. We have some holes to fill, most notably the central defense and another scorer. Lets see how quickly that develops.


Anybody have a clue as to the probable starting lineups?

this game is really going to show a lot about what the boys are all about this season. lets home they come out and are able to take a HUGE step in the right direction and send a message.
here's what i'm thinking for the lineup...
forwards...bryan irwin and steve hosseinmardi
mids...frankie lopez, collen warner, jarad v, leland wright
backs...logan emory, patrick jurney, ryan k, brayton knapp

not really much difference from last year. i have a feeling frankie will step up and fill alex's shoes quite nicely.
any other ideas?

i thought it was pretty needless to say that austin will be in goal

Austin should be a backbone for our team and provide us some cover from some of the inevitable defensive miscues which are bound to happen.

That said, I think we have a legitimate shot at VT on Friday. In 2006, we also opened up against the team that lost in the NCAA finals the year before (from what I remember). We played New Mexico to a scoreless draw in what stands out to me as one of the more memorable nailbiters I've seen at Merlo. We've got at least as much talent this year.