http://ncaa.com/uploadedFiles/Sports/Lacrosse_(M)/Articles/Division_III/DIII_2008_Bracket%20mlax.pdf
http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2008/05/14/ncaa-quarterfinals-division-iii-outlooks/
The third round of the Division III tournament is Wednesday, May 14th. With four pretty good games. Some teams are still a lot better than their opponents, but there still should be some interesting stories to report on Wednesday night. Here are the match ups and my predictions:
Cortland vs Middlebury- At Cortland State May 14 4pm EST- Cortland has been to two straight NCAA championship games. At one point, Middlebury was going every year and even won three titles in a row. It will be a good match-up since Cortland is 14-1 and Middlebury is 13-2. Both teams played competitive schedules in the regular season and won their first playoff games last week. Middlebury beat Bowdoin 10-7 and Cortland beat Springfield 12-9. I think Division III is still like the old Division I, where there was no parity and you can figure out the winner on paper before the game, which would be Cortland. However, I do think Middlebury is due for a return trip to the later rounds of the NCAA tournament. Middlebury will win a close game.
Ithaca vs Western New England- At Ithaca May 14 2pm EST- Western New England (15-4) has already played in two playoff games. They beat Western Connecticut in a play-in game 14-4, and beat St. Lawerence 13-9. Ithaca (16-2) beat Williams 17-10 in their only playoff appearance. Using the paper theory, since Ithaca is considered by the NCAA committee to be a better team, they will probably win. However, experience might help out WNE. Regardless, the winner will lose in the next round because they would have to play either Cortland or Middlebury. I think Western New England has one more trick up their sleeves and will win.
Salisbury vs Cabrini-At Salisbury May 14 7:30pm EST-The Sea Gulls (19-0) apparently like their night games! Cabrini should avoid going to OC before the game, because if that’s what Ohio Wesleyan did in the first round before they played and lost Salisbury 13-5, it didn’t work. Cabrini (17-2) heads to Salisbury after beating Haverford 13-10. Salisbury has won 44 straight games. Cabrini has their work cut out for them and does have a slight chance of an upset since Salisbury had a few close calls in the regular season. But this is Salisbury and its tournament time. Salisbury will get the W.
Washington College vs Gettysburg-At Gettysburg May 14 3pm EST- This will be the third meeting of the year between the two Centennial Conference teams. Gettysburg (16-2) won both the regular season meeting 17-10, and the conference championship game 12-7. They also won their first playoff game against Denison 8-7. WAC is 14-3 and beat Lynchburg in the first round 12-9. Recent history suggests a season sweep for the Bullets, but the Shoremen may be able to sneak in a victory and a pass to the next round. Either of these teams would be a good match up against Salisbury, though I think Gettysburg will win.
