Vikings Victorious Over Huskies in First Outing

Bellingham, Wa. – As I drove up to Bellingham, for the first time since my arrival here in Washington, I was taking in the weather and all the pleasant smells that go along with that drive, I was contemplating the game I was going to observe.  Expecting to show up and witness a repeat of last years game, I would have given Western 5 goals on the point spread still expecting the Huskies to come out on top.  Well, that is a bet I’m glad I didn’t put out there, as the divisional bracketing this year of the PNCLL, into two divisions made absolutely no difference for the Division II Western Washington University Vikings squaring off against the Division I University of Washington Huskys.  Even though the high school season does not start for another month, the college teams have been hard at work, and tonight’s match-up was the first competition of what is sure to line up as an exciting season.

Upon my arrival at WWU, the first thing I notice is the field.  Coming from Maryland, it is difficult for me to really critique any turf-field.  Having been in the state now for some time, any turf-field that has lacrosse lines sewn in is usually a plus, but after you realize, there are football, soccer, women’s lacrosse, men’s lacrosse, and oh did I mention rugby lines all on one field, I thought a 5 year old with crayon had scribbled all over the turf.  WWU definitely had and utilized its home field to their advantage.  The field is at a slight elevation to the adjacent parking lot, by about 5 feet higher, but when you factor in the light poles in the parking lot are about feet 10 up, it creates a vision nightmare for a visiting team, especially as those lights glare right into eyes of the players.  Next account for the lucky stream of gorgeous weather we’ve been having in the Seattle area, dry sticks and balls allow for accurate passes, but tonight’s matchup had the classic PNW mist.  Just enough moisture falling to keep the ball covered in water, making any new ball feel like a greaser.

With all the external factors account for it is still a college level game, and both teams have to play through the same conditions, and with UW walking the favorite, coming off a very successful season, it was anticipated to be a good game, with the DAWGS walking off the field with a W.  The teams lined up, both sides focused to get their year off with a bang, the goalies came together to shake hands.  For UW Scott Gilson earned the nod to start in the cage, as WWU had Ian Labelle, back-boning his team.  All the players to their respective locations, the officials are set, and at the F/O “X”, instructions are given and “Down,” is called, than the whistle.  Lacrosse has started again in the state of Washington.

The Huskies come up with the F/O, the first GB, and possession.  Taking the ball into their offensive zone, they settle and get a good one minute possession, before a pass is intercepted by a Viking defender and transitioned over midfield by the longpole.  The Viking settle in the ball and have their first possession of the year, moving the ball around getting a good one minute possession, before the Husky defense can force a turn over and take the ball back up field.  For the next 90 seconds the ball bounce around back and forth in transition like a ball in a pin-ball game, with neither team really gaining an edge until finally a transition break down by the Vikings during a sub on the fly, allows for Josh Redhair of UW, to capitalize on an unsettled situation, making a move and scoring the 1st goal of the season for the DAWGS.  UW takes the lead, 1-0, with just over 12 minutes remaining in the 1st frame.  Unfortunately, for UW, Western’s defense would be too much, as the Vikings would only allow that one goal for the remainder of the quarter, as they fight back with the next 2 goals of the game and reclaim the lead.  Viking’s, would make the net move, with goals from Sean Finley getting the helper from Brandon Morris, and their second goal coming from Cody Bludorn unassisted, to close out the 1 quarter with Western holding a narrow 2-1 margin.  Prior to the break it was clear both teams were contesting every loose ball, showing no symptoms of intimidation as the physicality of things were noticeable.

After the break, the hits and intensity did not drop off at all, as both teams turned up the tension and the heat despite being only 45 degrees outside.  While the game was back under way, both sides were playing smart, aggressive lacrosse.  Each team had great dodging opportunities penetrating their opponent’s defenses, but both defenses held strong not allowing anything to come easy, thanks to good slides, and cycling to the backside right away.  Any player who had a quality look never saw were their shot ended up as they were looking up at the rain drops from the ground.  It seemed the moisture may have caused a few issues for the Huskies as their dodges were very effective, but as they attempted to bang the ball to the backside, their passes were floating high, even though passes were caught, the outstretching recipients often found themselves attempting a quick short dodge against a Western defender already in great position.

WWU extended their scoring rally with another unassisted by Cody Bludorn around the 5 minute mark into the 2nd frame.  After a few more minutes of each team getting quality looks, good netminding and fundamental defense voided multiple scoring looks for both sides, until one again the Vikings found the back of the net, with a g-note by Brandon Morris, getting the feed from Sean Finley.  Despite the conditions one Husky was able to catch an overaggressive Viking defender off guard, pulling down a high pass and executing a textbook face dodge on a sweep from the right side and from 8 yards out, Jake Bos was able to bury the Huskies 2nd goal of the season with the helper coming from Nick Losh.  With a 4-2 Vikings lead, Western refused to allow UW to build any momentum as they would find the goal 2 more times, with an unassisted goal by Kion Farahani, and again two minutes later Sean Finley would get his second assist of the quarter and 3rd point of the game assisting Willy Delius for the goal.  As the half end, once again the physical play of this game became evident.  The crowd of a couple hundred were getting loud, players were all too happy to entertain their enthusiasm. Chris Brown for UW delivered a hit that looked like a Laurence Taylor highlight clip.  During a Western clear, came out of the box between two Vikings, denying the shorter pass which forced the clear to the other Viking near the sub-box Brown reversed direction and timed up his hit perfectly on the numbers, creating an explosion of limbs, stick, and of course the ball. 
Entering half-time, WWU leads UW 6-2.  UW trying to build on Brown monster hit, and statistical lead, holding the ball more, and out hassling the Viking to groudballs.  Western however was confident with its statistical advantage with more goals on the scoreboard.  In the goal, both goalies were doing their best to hold their ground, each logging 4 saves, and having faced around 25 shots.  Their defenses were holding well, but I’d have to give WWU close D the nod, staying with cutters and shooter’s a little better, executing textbooks lifts, to throw off the feeds and shots of the Huskies.

As play resumed, UW decided to change direction in the cage, giving Ben Yamazuki a look at the shooter.  UW would come to statistically dominate WWU.  Getting more groundball’s, 2 to 1 over Western.  None the less the Viking defense refused to give up anything easily.  The Dawg’s would struggle with getting their free to shoot, as they were constantly getting harassed causing the vast majority of their shots to be off cage.  WWU was not lacking on their determination as they frequently were able to force possession changes by running out those errand shots.  Allowing them time with the ball, and getting them to tally 2 more goals, both unassisted by Cody Bludorn and Colin Gaddy, respective.  It wasn’t until late in the 3rd frame, hat Josh Redhair was able to try to swing the momentum back to UW with his 2nd goal game, and taking the score to 8-3 in favor of the Vikings.  In goal Western’s Ian Labelle denied entry to the goal 5 times, only allowing the one goal during a great Husky ride resulting in a one on one.  Yamazuki had performed well with 4 saves, 3 of which were on the doorstep, and his aggressive posture resulted in taking those shots off the body.

In the fourth quarter, the Vikings would continue to strike while the iron was hot.  Cody Bludorn who already had a hat-trick decided to put another notch on his belt scoring for a fourth unassisted goal.  Alex Candon, decided he wanted to get in on the action and after a successful ride for Western Candon found himself wide open on the backside in transition, he demanded the ball screaming the, “ONE MORE,” call.  He squared off for a one on one with the UW keeper to find the back of the goal, not forgetting to minimize his motions to allow for the assist to count for his teammate, Sean Finley getting his 3rd assist of the night and 4 point of the game.  With 5:30 second left in the game UW would attempt to rally, rattling off to quick goals with Jake Bos, dodging from top right he, broke ankles, blowing by his defender and drawing two quick slides that were on him before he could clear his hands of his defenders stick, Jake had to turn inside and shed the two sliders while sweep to his right before burying his second goal of the night.  Josh Redhair would gets his hat-trick by backdooring his defensemen and getting a feed from behind the cage, with the helper coming from Sean Forsyth.  10-5 Viking advantage, with 3:00 remaining.  Western would answer right back, with yet another unassisted goal, this time from the Bludorn, Miles Bludorn, would close out the scoring for the Vikings.  11-5 WWU.  UW still not conceding to the lose under 2 minutes kept attacking hard.  Steve Frankel would get his a goal from dodge by teammate Joe Kramer.  Frankel would take the pass from Kramer, and was forced to dodge underneath and because of a lapse in the defense he found the crease unguarded with two defenders flooding to him.  He attacked space and found himself on the door step.

Dispute the best quarter of play for UW, their late rally came up short, and as the horn sounded, the Vikings upset the Huskies 11-6 final.  Defense was without a doubt the catalyst of the game.  Ian Labelle came up big with 15 saves for WWU, while both UW goalies added up with 9 saves between them.  UW dominated on F/O as Joe Kramer won 58% of his draws while picking up 12 of UW’s total 44 ground balls, compared to WWU 28.  To further demonstrate the physical play of this game, both teams combined for 19 penalties, tallying 15:30 of total player attendance in the penalty box. 

As well I have to wrap up this article commenting on the physical play of 4 individuals.  David Barry and Adam Extine for WWU had hits that would have made EPSN’s play of the week, completely crushing shooters, with totally legal hit’s, causing UW player’s to get up slow, and finally Chris Brown who as I mentioned early complete uprooted a Western longpole during a clear, and Matt Pucker who multiple time rotated in the crease and while sliding to a dodging Viking, connected with hits so hard he those Viking wondering were if they had returned to Scandinavia.

WWU (1-0) looks to build on their momentum as they travel a little further north over the border to face off against perennial powerhouse, Simon Fraser nest weekend Feb 6th.  UW (0-1) now looks to take a week off and make some improvements to avenge tonight’s loss on Stanford on Feb 13th the 1st of 3 home games in the Seattle area.