By
Jeff Lund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA in WCLL Final Four in Northern Calif.
The quest for the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League title will continue tomorrow when the UA lacrosse team takes on Sonoma State at the WCLL Final Four in Davis, Calif.
The No. 11 Laxcats (11-4) - fresh off a victory against UC-San Diego last weekend - will be the underdog against the No. 4 Cossacks.
The teams have not met this season, but they have had their eyes on each other as the year progressed.
"It will be a tough game," UA defenseman Jeff Cady said. "They are a disciplined team, and they work very well together."
The Cossacks have an edge on the Laxcats when it comes to big-game experience this season.
Sonoma State has battled 10 top-20 teams and posted a 7-2-1 record, including a nine-goal victory over then-No. 1 Michigan.
On March 25, the Cossacks took on Colorado State - a team that dealt the Laxcats their worst loss in recent history - and lost, 8-6.
The Laxcats have hooked up with six top-20 teams during the year, posting a 3-3 record.
Cady said he is not scared by the Cossacks. According to the defenseman, the Wildcats are ready for any opponent.
"I'm very excited," Cady said. "These are the games that competitors get up for. Any competitor wants to go out there to compete, not to just blow out a team or get blown out. The close games are the games I look forward to."
Attacker Charlie Mink said the teams have similar squads.
"Individually, each one of us matches up very well," Mink said. "They have a big team, but when it comes down to it, they can only have 10 guys on the field like us."
Coach Mickey-Miles Felton agreed.
"Sonoma has a good attack unit, but I think we will be able to prevail there," he said. "Our offense is going to be a little difficult for Sonoma to deal with. They have a freshman goalie. He will need to step up.
"We want to get at him early, and send a lot of shots his way."
Felton said his all-star midfielder Matt Wilkens and goalie Greg Parkington - two players who excelled last week - will make the difference.
"Greg had probably one of his best games," Felton said of Parkington's game against UCSD.
Should the Wildcats prevail, they will take on either California or UC-Santa Barbara in Sunday's championship game.
