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Weekend Preview

Laxcats open season vs. 2 top-15 teams

Opening its season against "cupcake" opponents won't be a luxury enjoyed by the Arizona men's lacrosse team this year.

The Laxcats open their season at home against two of the top 15 teams in the nation, No. 15 University of California at Santa Barbara and second-ranked Sonoma State.

"We are psyched to be playing these teams at the beginning of the year," head coach Mickey-Miles Felton said.

In his 25th year of coaching the Laxcats, Felton is happy to see that his team, currently ranked No. 11 in the nation and third in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League, is taking major steps towards a national championship.

"Our team is young, but they are experienced at crucial spots," Felton said. "Once the offense plays together a little more we should greatly improve, but our defense is very experienced and playing well."

This year's team is led by the three captains - defenseman Jeff Cady and Laurance Bass, and mid-fielder Matt Wilkens.

The Laxcats, though, will be without goalie Greg Parkington, who suffered a broken wrist earlier this year. Freshman Kevin Burgess will take over for Parkington.

Even though Arizona dominated Arizona State 15-7 in Saturday's scrimmage at Wildcat Field, Felton said the team did not get a feel for where they stand because of ASU's play.

"I was disappointed in the showing by ASU," Felton said. "I was hoping for a much better game, but their skill level was just not as good."

Tomorrow, the Laxcats will take on the Santa Barbara Gauchos at Wildcat Field in a WCLL match-up.

Santa Barbara won its opener last weekend against Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, 10-4.

On Sunday, Arizona battles the Sonoma State Cossacks, who are ranked No. 1 in the WCLL. The Cossacks will try to beat the Laxcats for the third consecutive season.

"We have a long history with them which should make for an exciting lacrosse game," Felton said.

Both games start at 1 p.m.

-Maxx Wolfson