Wednesday, August 10, 2011

RFC Summer Semester--Northwest Conference (NWC)--(NCAA Division III)

Editor's Note: This post wraps up the "RFC Summer Semester" series for 2011.  Hope you enjoyed reading the previews so far this summer.

Looking back: Linfield continued its collegiate record streak of consecutive winning seasons in 2010, as the Wildcats stretched it to 55 in a row, while advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs. They reached the second round of the playoffs before bowing to St. Thomas, 24-17, in double overtime.

Looking ahead: Linfield will enter the 2011 season looking to extend its record streak of consecutive winning seasons to 56.  Not only that, the Wildcats also hope to win a third straight Northwest Conference crown.

Website: http://www.nwcsports.com/

Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Linfield (9-2):  In the irony department, the Wildcats will open the 2011 season not only playing host to the one team that defeated them in the 2010 season opener, but also the same squad they eliminated in the first round of the D-III playoffs in Cal Lutheran, on September 3.  


2. Pacific Lutheran (8-1):  Despite losing just one game during the regular season, the Lutes found themselves on the outside looking in when the playoffs rolled around.  They hope to be in the postseason hunt this time around, but not without being forced to replace 15 starters lost due to graduation.


3. Willamette (7-3):  The Bearcats are looking to win their first NWC crown since 2008.


4. Whitworth (5-5):  The Pirates will play only one game outside of the Northwest in 2011: the September 3 season opener against Chapman in southern California.


5. Lewis & Clark (4-5):  The Pioneers had their best finish since 1995, when they had their last winning season at 5-4.


6. Puget Sound (2-7):  The Loggers surrendered at least 50 or more points in four of the seven games they lost in 2010.


7. Pacific (Ore.)--(0-9):  The Boxers enter the 2011 season looking for their first win since resuming their program in 2010 after an 18-year absence.

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