THE WEEKLY BEAT�April 19-April 24, 2004

SCOREBOARD

POWER RANKINGS

*To view complete Computer Rankings, visit LaxPower

RECAPS

Spring Break is over; let the playoff chase begin!  Over twice as many games this week compared to last as every team is now back in action.  Three weeks left in the regular season and the Division I playoff picture is almost set, while much is still to be decided in Division II.

DIVISION I

**Mercer Island moved closer to officially clinching the Mountain Conference title with two more wins.  Mercer would have to lose all 3 of its remaining games and Eastside would have to win out for Islanders to falter.  Quite simply: not going to happen!

**Eastside moved closer to officially clinching the Mountain #2 and thus a playoff spot.  Eastside would have to lose all of its remaining games for this to occur.  Again, not going to happen!

**Despite dropping one to Eastside, Nathan Hale stayed in the playoff chase with a big win over Lakeside.  The loss all but eliminates the Lions from the playoff hunt, while the Raiders stay alive for another week.  Hale really can�t afford any more losses at this point, meaning they�ll need to knock off Bainbridge and Seattle Prep in the coming weeks.

**Seattle Prep and Bainbridge are locked up in a good race to finish 1^st and avoid Mercer until the finals.  Each has a game against Nathan Hale remaining as well as facing each other one more time.  Bainbridge also has a game remaining against Eastside.

PLAYOFF PICTURE

League Leaders: (League Games Only)

DIVISION II

** Vashon passed another big test, knocking off Klahowya.  Vashon must face the Eagles again soon, but that appears to be the only true test left on their march to an undefeated Olympic Conference title.

**Roughriders made a huge statement as to who is top dog in the Evergreen Conference and overall in Division II with a big 7-6 victory over Issaquah.  The defense is athletic, aggressive and fearless.  Still 6 games to play, but they certainly seem on route to keep pace with Vashon for top seed come playoff time.

**After Overlake, things are wide open in the Pacific Conference.  Eastlake, Mukilteo and San Juan are all essentially deadlocked.  Things will take shape this week as Eastlake faces Mukilteo and San Juan faces Overlake.

PLAYOFF PICTURE

NOTE: Refer to last week�s beat for info on DII playoff format.

League Leaders: (League Games Only)

TOP PERFORMERS

ALAN CHIRLS, SR, Attack, MERCER ISLAND�Alan Chirls 8, Lakeside 4�The

Division I leader in assists nearly all season, Chirls vaulted into the Top 5 in goals scored with his second 8-point game of the year.  This time all 8 points came in the form of a doible hat-trick plus two�8 goals!

MATT HAINES, SR, Attack, NATHAN HALE...The diminutive attackman came up big in a game the Raiders had to have.  His 4 goals lead to an 10-8 victory over Lakeside and keeps Nathan Hale�s playoff hopes alive.

TONY MAACK, SR, Goal, ROUGHRIDERS...The backbone of the best defense in Division II, Tony stood tall again as the Roughriders defeated Issaquah 7-6 to put a solid grip on 1^st place.   Maack finished the game stopping 9 of 15 shots as he leads all netminders in GAA and Save Percentage.

 GAMES TO WATCH

4/27 Seattle Prep @ Garfield�Queen Anne middle school teammates now pitted against each other on the high school stage in this Metro match-up.

4/28 Bainbridge @ Nathan Hale�Raiders have to have this one to keep playoff hopes alive.  Spartans need this one if they plan to get back to 1^st place.

 4/30 Roughriders @ Garfield�Roughriders pulled out a squeaker early in the season.  Garfield needs this one to stay in the hunt for the Evergreen title.

4/30 Eastside @ Maple Valley�Ravens can clinch playoffs and thus eliminate the Vandals at the same time.  Eastside took round one in a tight 10-9 affair.

The Weekly Beat is written by Brandon Fortier.

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