Editorial
Falcon fans should embrace team success
February 24, 2011
With the start of playoffs for UWRF winter sports, it has begun to come full circle how lucky UW-River Falls athletics fans have been with their teams this season.
There are few schools in the country that can boast two top 25 ranked teams, both who have good shots of making the NCAA tournament in their respective sports.
The Women’s Hockey team is bringing an undefeated record into the NCHA playoffs after they were crowned Division champions. Now ranked first in the nation, they will begin their playoff run Saturday against St. Norbert in Hunt Arena.
The team is looking to make a run at the NCAA playoffs, which they have been to in each of the past two seasons, including the frozen four.
The Men’s Basketball team has also spent much of its time this season as a nationally ranked team. The team, which is currently ranked 22 in the nation, has been ranked every week since week two.
The team played against UW-Platteville in the WIAC semifinals last Thursday, and the winner of that game will be in the championship game between the winner of UW-Platteville and UW-Stevens Point.
Despite inconsistent seasons by the men’s hockey team and women’s basketball team, both are currently alive in both of their conference’s playoff tournaments.
The women’s basketball team finished fifth in the WIAC with a 7-9 record, and are still alive in the WIAC tournament after a win at UW-Eau Claire 66-44. The Falcons are playing in a semifinal game Friday at UW-Stevens Point, with a win putting them in the WIAC championship game.
The men’s hockey also survived a first-round away series in the NCHA tournament, winning a series at UW-Stout. Despite losing their first game, the team bounced back with an OT win and a mini-game win.
The men’s hockey team will play an away game Saturday at St. Norbert, with the winner of that game playing in the conference tournament.
With all of these UWRF sports in the playoffs, Falcons fans should be thankful for the opportunity to follow these teams. Athletics that gain national recognition allows our campus to gain respect from those outside of the St. Croix Valley.
Fans should pay attention to what is happening in university athletics, because it is not often when so many teams experience as much success.
As the playoffs unfold, fans, athletes and faculty have the chance to enjoy something big.