By James Kelley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Thursday March 6, 2003
All of St. John Fisher's school money and scholarships couldn't buy it a win, or even a close game against the Arizona men's lacrosse team, as it was blown out 12-4.
Although last night the No. 5 Laxcats (5-1, 4-0), played at Salpointe Catholic High School, their third different field in as many games, the result was the same. Arizona dominated NCAA Division III St. John Fisher 12-4.
The Laxcats trailed 2-1 after the first quarter, but a goal by long stick man Tim McComb tied the score. It was the first of 10 unanswered scores.
The win came after lacrosse Internet message boards were littered by postings that any NCAA team could beat any United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates teams.
Arizona won despite playing without midfielder Bryan Moore, attackman Tom Ghaney, goalie Sean Koffel and attackman Josh Morrison for most of the game. Head coach Adam Hopkins said he does not feel it will change the perception of the USLIA that much. Hopkins is from New York, where St. John Fisher is located, and was an All-American for D-II New York Tech.
"It is not going to change any minds nationally, but it will serve notice of how good the USLIA is," Hopkins said. "By virtue of what I thought about the USLIA before I came out here and learned about it, they (St. John Fisher) are utterly shocked. They came in here expecting an easy game but they basically got it handed to them."
Aside from the emotional aspect of the game, Hopkins said he was pleased with the team's execution.
"I think we played very well," Hopkins said. "I think we adjusted well to a different style of play from what we were used to seeing."
The Laxcats were paced by attackman Jeems Lochridge, who had his third straight game of at least five points, getting three goals and three assists. Midfielder Ryan McFadden added two goals and two assists, Sean Kerley had two goals and midfielder John Sedal had a goal and an assist.
Lochridge is second in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League in points with 28, behind only Danny Metoyer of No. 24 Chapman who has 24 goals in five games.
This weekend the Laxcats travel to Utah to take on the Utes on Friday, then go to Provo to battle No. 4 BYU and then No. 8 Colorado, also in Provo. The game with the Cougars will be broadcast on BYUTV.