FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat The No. 14 Arizona lacrosse team sits on the USILA tournament bubble, awaiting its postseason fate. The Laxcats squad hopes to gain an at-large berth into the tournament after falling to No. 3 UCSB last weekend.

Weekend loss to UCSB could keep Arizona out of national tournament

After bowing out in the quarterfinals of the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League playoffs at No. 3 UC Santa Barbara, the UA men's lacrosse team is now hoping for a little bit of luck to get into the national tournament.

The No. 14 Laxcats (9-8, 4-4) couldn't overcome an early Gaucho run, falling 10-5 to the team with the most first place votes in the USLIA. UCSB (16-1, 7-1) improved to 9-0 this year at home.

"I think we played pretty well," said UA head coach Adam Hopkins. "Santa Barbara got off to a good start and we were never able to catch up. The guys played hard to the final whistle, and that's pretty much all you can ask."

Hopkins felt that goalie Sean Koffel, who had 19 saves and a .655 save percentage against the Gaucho's highly touted attack, did well.

"Koffel played a very good game, other than that it was a very good team effort," Hopkins said.

Attackmen Josh Morrison and Joseph Winter led the way for the Laxcats, tallying a goal and an assist each. Attackman Charlie Mink scored a goal as well, his second of the year.

No. 15 Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo's 9-8 win over No. 8 Chico State in another quarterfinal is expected to hurt the Laxcats, unless UCSB blows out Cal Poly in the semifinals. Strength of schedule and margin of victory, two things that could help the Laxcats, are factors the voters consider, Hopkins said.

"I don't think we have a very good chance with Cal Poly winning," Hopkins said. "I think we can go to St. Louis and do well. I don't know if our record warrants being picked. It is up to the voters."

In their first match-up of the season, the Gauchos beat the Mustangs, 13-9, in San Luis Obispo. UCSB has outscored its opponents 74 to 27 over its last five contests.

The Laxcats' schedule included games against No. 2 Colorado State, No. 6 Colorado, No. 12 Chapman, No. 20 California and No. 21 UCLA. The team also hit the road for games against No. 5 Brigham Young, No. 17 UC San Diego and two games at No. 3 UCSB.

The voting results will be difficult to predict, though, as UA moved up a spot in the rankings after falling to Colorado State. UCSB fell one spot from No. 2 to No. 3 earlier this season after garnering the most first place votes and crushing No. 12 Chapman, 17-3.

Part of the problem for the Laxcats is the reduction of at-large bids available prior to this season. An automatic bid is now given to the Great Rivers Lacrosse League, in its first year of existence, taking away the at-large bid. The GRLL has no teams in the top 25 while, conversely, the WCLL has nine teams in the top 25.

If the Laxcats are selected, Arizona heads to the United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates National Championships starting May 7 at the Anheuser-Busch Sports Center in St. Louis.