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Laxcats' season ends in disappointment

With what seemed to be the year of the Laxcats, the team did nothing but disappoint in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League playoffs. After a second round loss to the California and an equally damaging loss to the University of California-Santa Barbara, the Laxcats were not given an invitation to the U.S. Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates National Championships in St. Louis.

The Laxcats (10-7 overall) season was full of off the field problems, which involved players getting suspended, and one player's removal from the team.

"The off field distractions hurt us to a small degree," senior defenseman Jeff Cady said. "Though they were probably not any worse on our team than they were an any other team."

The Laxcats reached a high point this season when they received the opportunity to play a weekend series in Arizona Stadium for their first annual Laxcat Family Weekend. During the two game series they defeated Fort Lewis College 17-3 and the University of San Diego 12-10.

"I think the opportunity to play there was nice," Cady said. "We were on a roll as a team, and it was nice to get a bunch of fans at the game. Plus, we were able to get a couple wins in front of our parents."

For the most part of the season, freshman goalie Kevin Burgess replaced last year's starting goalie sophomore Greg Parkington, who was out due to injury. Burgess was the anchor of the Laxcats defense all season and played in all 18 games.

"Our freshman in goal did a great job the whole season," junior defenseman Tom Christian said.

Even with the off the field distractions and a rookie goalkeeper, Cady said the Laxcats had a successful season.

"We lost some close games," he said. "We were only three to four goals away from being a great team. Now, we have some things to strive for, for next year."

Head Coach Mickey-Miles Felton agreed.

"It was a season filled with great relationships, growth and learning lessons," Felton said.

Two Laxcats tied for the team lead in goals with 37 each - sophomore attack Eric Renner and junior mid-fielder Matt Wilkens. Wilkens had the team lead in points with 52, one more than Renner.

Sophomore attack Blaine Lochridge led the team in assists with 23.

The Laxcats will bring back the majority of their team for next season as they lose two players to graduation - senior mid-fielder Lon Packer and starting senior defenseman Laurence Bass.

The loss of the two seniors will be offset by an outstanding recruiting year.

"We should be able to recruit a player at literally every position," Felton said. "We will have players coming in who will fill the loss on defense. We are still recruiting and have the possibility of having 20-25 players, which would be a dream come true."

One key recruit for the Laxcats will be attack Jeemes Lochridge who is the brother of current Laxcat Blaine Lochridge.

The Laxcats finished the 2000 season No. 11 in the USLIA.

Maxx Wolfson can be reached at sports@wildcat.arizona.edu.