By
Jeff Lund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Laxcats outscore opponents 43-7 in weekend routs
When the home team has more goals than its opponent has shots, the team knows they're doing something right.
The Laxcats (2-0) seemingly did everything right this weekend in two blowout victories against the Tucson Lacrosse Club and Loyola Marymount.
"I anticipated this kind of outcome," UA head coach Mickey-Miles Felton said after the weekend sweep. "We are playing really well, especially for this early in the season."
Saturday, the Laxcats took on the Tucson Lacrosse Club and beat them 22-5.
Felton said he was worried about taking on the local club for fear that his team would lose their intensity.
In the end, Felton had nothing to worry about.
"It was a game I was nervous about," Felton said. "We just really took control from the start. They were disorganized, and that was all she wrote."
Sunday, Loyola Marymount (3-1) took on the hot-shooting Laxcats.
UA held a 2-0 lead after the first quarter, then blew up for seven goals in the second quarter.
Leading 9-0 at halftime, the Laxcats continued to harass the Lions. UA controlled the time of possession and forced LMU out of their offense.
UA added three goals to its lead within the first five minutes of the third quarter.
It was not until the score was 16-0 that LMU scored, and even then, the goal was not off of the stick of a Lions player. As the Laxcats tried to clear the ball, a pass in front of the goal slipped past the Arizona goalie to put LMU on the board.
"That's more embarrassing for us than it is for you," an LMU player said from the field following the score.
The Laxcats took a 16-1 lead into the fourth quarter.
LMU scored a goal themselves, but the frustrated Lions would not see the net again in the 21-2 loss.
"We are playing some pretty poor opponents," freshman transfer Charlie Mink said. "It is nice to play at home."
Mink had a standout game, scoring five goals for the second straight week. Mink scored five goals against Chapman University two weeks ago.
Senior Bryan Moore returned and burned LMU for 5 goals.
Felton said the team's defense is as responsible for the team's success as the Wildcats' blistering offense.
"Our three starting defensemen are probably the three best defensemen in the league," Felton said. "As a group, they are just amazing."
Junior goalie Greg Parkington credits skill and awareness to the defensive success so far this season.
"We played very well," Parkington said. "The defense those guys are playing in front of me is the reason that I am getting my saves."
