Semi Finals predictions?

Anybody have them?

I'd like to see Stanford win for obvious reasons, but it might be nice if UCLA got a break after all these years and actually won it all. Although if it's one thing that school as a whole doesn't really need it's yet another NCAA championship.

As painful as it is, I am pulling for Notre Dame to win, would make us look better losing to the eventual national champion, and I hope they beat UNC in the title game. Sorry, the only west coast team I pull for is the Pilots.

I'm looking for an all-Pac 10 final, but I would be hard-pressed to choose between Stanford and UCLA. UCLA manages to choke in the big ones, but Stanford hasn't gotten to the big ones lately.

• Reasons I'd like Stanford to win:
  
  • They're my alma mater.
    
  • They've never won it before.
    
  • They're a west coast team.
    
  
  
• Reasons I'd like Stanford to lose:
  
  • (none)
    
  
  
• Reasons I'd like UCLA to win:
  
  • They've never won it before.
    
  • They're a west coast team.
    
  
  
• Reasons I'd like UCLA to lose:
  
  • With the playoff rivalry we've had with them in the past few years, it's really hard to cheer for them.
    
  
  
• Reasons I'd like UNC to win:
  
  • They, like Portland, have lost multiple players to the U-20's.
    
  
  
• Reasons I'd like UNC to lose:
  
  • They've won too, too, too many times already.
    
  
  
• Reasons I'd like Notre Dame to win:
  
  • (cannot think of any)
    
  
  
• Reasons I'd like Notry Dame to lose:
  
  • I'd like to stay tied with them for second place in all-time national championships.
  
  
  • Kerry Hanks really rubbed me the wrong way during the 2005 playoff game at Merlo.
  
  

So in terms of what I'd like to happen, my ranking is Stanford first, Notre Dame last, and the other two a toss-up.

What do I think will happen? I expect Stanford to beat Notre Dame (overated, in my opinion), but to lose in an all-Pac-10 final.

I'll guess Stanford over UCLA in the final. Should be good games all around, though. Any team could win any game.

For what it's worth, here are my predictions...

I think that THE game of the tournament will be tonight between UCLA and UNC. The Tarheels have home field advantage since the game will be played only a few miles away from Chapel Hill. However, I'm going with the Bruins in this one because they are due and because they beat some tough teams (including us) on the way to the Cup.

I think that Notre Dame will win their semi against the Cardinal because the luck of the Irish seems to be working for them this season.

In the final, I think that UCLA is finally going to get the monkey off of their back and win the big one.

I find myself pulling for Stanford. Too much history with Notre Dame (the 1995 final will NEVER be forgiven), rooting for North Carolina is like rooting for the Yankees, and the rivalry with UCLA is very fresh.

Stanford seems to have a nice collection of talent, plus a local stud (Abegg), west coast team... pretty easy to root for them.

I didn't know Kerri Hanks was related to Olive Oyl,

Kerri Hanks...Olive Oyl. Hmmmmm. This is something that Poopdeck Pappy should know.

I'm not particularly fond of UCLA or Notre Dame, so I'm rooting for Stanford and UNC.
I agree, though, they should be good close games.

Notre Dame 1-nil over Stanford.

Alright who has a webcast of the UCLA game?

From the stats it looks like Stanford outplayed ND. I expect ND to lose in the final to whichever team they face.

ND had more quality chances, Stanford perfected the air mail shot from 40 yards.

Webcast of the UCLA / UNC game: http://www.justin.tv/rambo_es

Here is the webcast for UNC vs. UCLA
http://www.justin.tv./rambo_es

Well, the channel just switched to Baseball, whoops.

UCLA v UNC on now ESPNU. UNC is having the better run of play. No goals yet.

ESPNU

Erin Hardy of UCLA takes down Bartok in the box. Yael Auverbuch put the heels ahead 1-0 on a PK.

Looks like UNC got the call against Hardy we need last year against UCLA (Michelle E. taken down).

Does Bartok have her bright shoes on, she does not lack confidence that's for sure. If I were coach (laugh), I would make everyone wear similar cleats, none of this individual stuff, you are part of a TEAM.

Auto Pilot wrote:Erin Hardy of UCLA takes down Bartok in the box. Yael Auverbuch put the heels ahead 1-0 on a PK.

Looks like UNC got the call against Hardy we need last year against UCLA (Michelle E. taken down).

I guess erin forgot that the ref wasn't Jesse Johnson...

Oh Geez that name! Isn't he reffing at the California Department of Corrections now? There he is able to recognize fouls by the shivs sticking out of the players after the play.

In retrospect I have to love that UNC won. I hope they go all the way. We do not want Notre Dame to go ahead of Portland on national championship totals. So what does it mean if UNC gets another title? Just another stick on the wood pile. And, UCLA cements their reputation as the all time college cup choaks. Although it is a little sad that we have just watched a whole generation of players visit the college cup from freshmen to senior year and come up short every year.

Back on topic:

I'll guess UNC over UCLA. (Hey - I'm right!)

And Standford over ND.

So much for west coast dominance, sorry, jk, had to say it.