By
Jeff Lund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
16 different players score as Cats dominate on offense and defense
The UA lacrosse team lived up to its overpowering reputation Saturday with a 27-4 mauling of ASU in front of a Parents' Weekend crowd.
From the start, it was clear that ASU was outmatched.
"We just stepped up," Arizona head coach Mickey-Miles Felton said. "One of the key things was we kept the level of play very high, rather than coming down to ASU's level."
Leading 12-3 midway through the second quarter, the Laxcats erupted for four goals in the final 5:22. Three of the goals came with under two minutes to play in the half to give UA a commanding 16-3 lead at the break.
There was no relief for the helpless Devils in the third quarter. As the Laxcats found the net seven times, further harassment from UA fans was aimed towards the direction of the doomed Devils.
Junior Eric Renner started the fourth quarter with a goal, and freshman Andrew Hill added two more to complete the Laxcat scoring.
"We knew going into the game we were the better team," said Wildcat junior Josh Morrison, who had three goals and two assists. "We played the kind of high-level lacrosse we like to play and dominated them in every aspect of the game."
Though the game was physical and hard hits were exchanged, 16 different Laxcats found the net in the win.
A balanced attack is nothing new for the Laxcats, who all season have enjoyed big-scoring games from their prolific offense.
"Balanced scoring is something that coaches love," Felton said. "We got a lot from our primary scoring attack. What was even more encouraging about their goals were the assists."
Freshman Charlie Mink once again led the Laxcats with six goals and three assists, but it was defensive star Jeff Cady that got the game ball for giving ASU fits.
"Jeff played great defense," Felton said. " He had a great game, and his abilities came through. He was just a man playing with boys out there."
Morrison watched Cady's defense from the other side of the field and liked what he saw.
"Offensively, we were pretty in sync," Morrison said. "But defensively, we were completely and utterly dominant."
While Felton applauded Mink for his offense and Cady for his defense, he also was impressed with the size and intensity of the crowd.
"I was really pleased with the attendance," Felton said. "It was really special having all of the parents there."
Although the Laxcats' "Family Weekend" did not go exactly as planned - the team was originally scheduled to play at Arizona Stadium, only to have it canceled early last week - players and parents alike were satisfied with the results.
"It wasn't really an issue," Morrison said of not playing in the stadium. "My parents were just happy to see me play again."
