Laxcats win at No. 4 BYU in prime time match up

Under the bright lights of national TV, the men's lacrosse team spoiled No. 4 BYU's Alumni Weekend with a 6-5 win.

The No. 5 Laxcats (7-2, 3-0) opened their first road trip with a 7-3 win at Utah, then beat the Cougars on Saturday before falling to No. 8 Colorado 9-8 on Sunday.

"We played really well but we were exhausted on Sunday," said senior attackman Tom Ghaney.

For Arizona, Sunday was the sixth game in 10 days, and with the added factor of the Utah altitude, the Laxcats' conditioning was tested.

"The altitude makes it hard but we are in good condition," Ghaney said. "It was more emotional. It was hard to get up for three games in three days."

Against BYU, the UA defense held the Cougars' offense to five goals, two of which came when BYU was a man up, after the Cougars had averaged 12.5 goals.

"Against BYU I think we played really, really well," Ghaney said.

The BYU game started with a quick goal, but the Laxcats answered with a John Sedall goal. Arizona then scored two more first quarter goals to take a 3-1 lead.

After the Cougars tied it in the third quarter at 3-3, Bryan Moore scored his second goal to retake the lead.

"I don't think anyone has done it (beaten BYU at BYU) in five years," Ghaney said.

On Saturday the Laxcats return to action, traveling to UC Santa Barbara to face the No. 2 Gauchos.

Rugby continues to roll, sweeping L.A area schools by 109 points

After pounding Long Beach State 70-3 and UCLA 46-0 on the road, the men's rugby team has moved into position to get a share of the SoCal Conference crown.

Arizona (8-4, 5-1) opened the weekend by beating Long Beach State 70-3 and carried it over to Westwood on Saturday, also routing the Bruins 46-0. The UCLA win is the Wildcats' fifth conference win in a row and fourth overall.

"They are heading to one of the better teams in our program's history," said head coach Dave Sitton.

Arizona tallied 13 trys in the Long Beach State win. Prop Joe Schmitt, center Vi Sallas and wing Mike McCartney each had two trys.

With one more league match remaining, Arizona now has a chance to claim a share of the conference title. SoCal leader Cal Poly was upset this weekend by UC Santa Barbara, who was beat by UA.

Even though Arizona has annihilated all its opponents since losing to New Mexico; beating UCLA, Long Beach State, UCSD, USD and San Diego State by at least 22 points, Sitton thinks the team can get better.

"The team played really well, it is scary because they can play even better," Sitton said. "The guys understand we can still make improvements."

Sitton feels the team will be able to carry the momentum in the Sun Devil match, despite having time off for spring break.

"I give our players a lot of credit, they understand what it takes to be a champion." Sitton said.

Arizona next plays host to rival ASU on March 29.