(Photo by Robert White)

EUGENE, Ore. – Virtual or not, Charlie Jackson remains in the thoughts of both the Oregon program and the MCLA heading into this one.

Jackson, who passed away unexpectedly at the beginning of the season, is remembered by San Diego State, Chico State, the Ducks and everywhere he coached.

We miss you, Charlie.

D-I Round 1: Clemson at Oregon | https://t.co/6SiSZfDvJZ #virtualmcla20
— MCLA Tournament '21 (@MCLA_Tournament) March 28, 2020

But there is still virtual work to be done, and you know Oregon is going to be a handful playing for their former head coach.

Offensive coordinator Nick LaMay has taken over the interim head coaching reins and he’ll have a motivated team for this one.

Senior John Finegan is once again the face of the Ducks’ offense and is on pace for a career year, exceeding his 83-point freshman campaign. Eastern (NCAA D-III) transfer Trent Ashton has stepped in as Finegan’s running mate and created a tough tandem.

Junior defenseman William Pyne – another DeMatha (Md.) Catholic product like Ashton – and classmate Samuel Criscola have anchored the backline in front of senior netminder Ethan Glaze.

“It’s always great to play at home in the postseason,” said LaMay*. “Clemson is a quality team out of a strong conference. It should be a great game.”

Clemson makes the cross-country flight to the Pacific Northwest in hopes of continuing its upward trend as a program under the tutelage of Buff Grubb.

The Tigers boast one of the most complete attackman in the country in junior Garret Brennan. Whether it’s scoring or finding his teammates, Brennan is the real deal.

This year, he’s had classmate Devon McIntyre and rookie Will Marrapodi riding shotgun on the front end.

Sophomore Lad Howell and frosh Jacob Lotz provide Clemson with a pair of top flight goalies.

“This game can’t come soon enough. Our guys are bouncing off the walls,” said Grubb*. “We’ll honor Coach Jackson with our effort and intensity and see where it leads us.”

[*- The coach didn’t really say this. This is all made up. It’s fake]