Wolf Pack nearing WAC tourney berth
The Wolf Pack controls its own destiny to qualify for the Western Athletic Conference tournament going into the final weekend of the season.
If it beats or ties Fresno State Sunday, it’s in. But if Nevada loses, there is still a myriad of opportunities to sneak in.
The Wolf Pack (2-12-3, 2-3-1 in WAC) heads into the final weekend of the season tied with Hawaii and Boise State for third place with seven points. It is three points ahead of San Jose State and Louisiana Tech. Each win is worth three points while ties are worth one point.
“(The season) started off slow in the beginning,” Nevada midfielder Cristen Drummond said. “It was very difficult but we finally found our rhythm. We’re playing really well as a team and we’re peaking at the right time.”
The Wolf Pack was winless (0-9-2) in its first 11 games and only scored six goals in its first 13 games of the season.
Frustration grew for the players and coaches, but it didn’t stop the team from regrouping in conference play.
Nevada is in third place and has recently experienced an offensive explosion that might propel the team into its fourth straight WAC tournament appearance.
The Wolf Pack, even with its 2-0 loss to Boise State on Sunday, has more than doubled its season goal production in the last four games.
“We haven’t done anything different,” Nevada coach Jaime Frias said. “Our kids are stepping up and putting opportunities away.”
Nevada has scored seven goals in the last four games.
The Wolf Pack still has plenty of chances to qualify for the WAC tournament, held Nov. 6 to 9 at Mackay Stadium, even without a win. The top-six teams in the WAC qualify for the tournament.
Nevada’s first chance to qualify comes Friday when Louisiana Tech plays Utah State. If Utah State defeats Louisiana Tech, the Wolf Pack is in.
Nevada and Louisiana Tech both have one game left in the season while Hawaii, Boise State and San Jose State all have two games left.
Nevada can sneak in if Hawaii loses its final two games because the Wolf Pack owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. Nevada beat Hawaii Oct. 10, 1-0.
The Wolf Pack can also get in with a loss if San Jose State loses or ties its final two games of the season. Nevada is three points ahead of the Spartans going into the final weekend.
For Nevada to pass Boise State, the Wolf Pack must win or tie and the Broncos must lose the final two games of the season. Boise State owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Wolf Pack.
The first tiebreaker is determined by head-to-head play, but if the two teams tied earlier in the season, which Nevada and Louisiana Tech did (2-2), the second tiebreaker is based on head-to-head matchups against the first-place team in the conference.
“I think the tiebreakers are fair,” Frias said. “We just need to win Sunday and not let it come down to tiebreakers.”
If still tied, then the third tiebreaker is determined by its head-to-head matchup against the second place team and continues down the standings list.
Emerson Marcus can be reached at emarcus@nevadasagebrush.com
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