UA faces off against No. 3 UCSB in WCLL playoff quarterfinals

With its back against the wall, all the UA men's lacrosse team must do to avoid the possibility of its season coming to an end is beat what many consider to be the best team in the country in No. 3 Santa Barbara.

At least the squad is healthy.

Tomorrow, the No. 14 Laxcats (9-7, 4-4) head to "The Pit" at UC Santa Barbara (15-1, 7-1), where the Gauchos were 8-0 this year. The two teams square off in the quarterfinals of the WCLL playoffs, with the winner advancing to the next round.

The United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates selects at-large teams in addition to the nine league champions, leaving the Laxcats on the bubble after the regular season.

"We have to win this game, that's the bottom line," Richey said.

UCSB, ranked No. 2 a week ago, surprisingly fell to No. 3 despite spanking No. 12 Chapman, 17-3, last Sunday along with receiving the most first-place votes.

Last weekend saw the return of attackman Charlie Mink to the UA squad form a torn ACL.

UA head coach Adam Hopkins said that Mink has proven he can make the most of scoring opportunities, so even seeing him on the field for 30 seconds will be a boost for the team.

Arizona, which had battled injuries all year is the healthiest it has been this year, according to Hopkins.

"(Healthwise, the team is doing) better than we have all season," Hopkins said. "We should not have any major starters missing for the first time all year."

The Gauchos, who beat Arizona 9-7 last month, seem to do everything well and are strong on both offense and defense, said Hopkins.

"They are a very well rounded team," Hopkins said.

UCSB's balanced attack doesn't have a player in the top ten of the WCLL in points, but has five players with over 30 points and one with 29. For the Laxcats, only attackman Jeems Lochridge, with 72, has more than 30 points on the season. Lochridge's total is good enough for second overall in the league.