With No. 2 Colorado State looming next week, the No. 6 Men's lacrosse team will prepare itself with two teams with opposite styles, No. 21 UCLA and Loyola Marymount, to open the season this weekend.

The Laxcats' quest to repeat as Western Collegiate Lacrosse League Division A South champions begins on Saturday at Laxcat Coliseum (Murphey Stadium), with a match-up against UCLA (1-0, 0-0), a team considered to be one of its top challengers to the throne.

Last week the Bruins started their season by narrowly edging Division B Pepperdine, 8-7. Attackman Andrew So led the way for the Bruins with five goals.

The strength of UCLA, like the Laxcats, is its defense, specifically returning All-American goaltender Spencer Fivelson and also So, said UA head coach Adam Hopkins.

"We need for our offense to stay patient, UCLA is more of a defensive team," Hopkins said. "It is a big challenge."

Against Pepperdine Fivelson had 19 saves and a .731 save percentage. After allowing four goals in the first half, Fivelson shut out the Waves in the third quarter.

"We have to put a lot of pressure on them and jump on them early," said assistant coach Ken Broshart.

In addition to Fivelson, senior defensemen Tucker Kelley and Sean Ward anchor the defense, which has allowed an average of less than six goals per game.

"UCLA's a good test," said senior defenseman Jeff Kinsella. "They always play you right to the end."

In the WCLL poll of the top ten teams, UCLA is No. 7, while LMU was also receiving votes, landing just outside the top ten. The Laxcats are No. 3 overall.

"It is the first game of the year, we are just making sure everything comes together," said senior attackman Tom Ghaney.

After facing the Bruins, the Laxcats host Loyola Marymount (0-1, 0-0) on Sunday, who are playing ASU on Saturday. While UCLA opened with a win, the Lions fell to Cal, 8-7.

Hopkins downplays any advantage that UCLA or Loyola Marymount might have against the Laxcats, having started the season already.

"No, not at all," Hopkins said. "We have the advantage, they have to come here."

Against the Golden Bears, LMU had a balanced attack ÷ four players scored goals, with attackman Corey Gerrard netting three.

"LMU is a more offensive team, so it will be a big challenge for our defense," Hopkins said. "The key is just to stay patient."

The Lions' first year head coach Pete Ginnegar comes to Loyola Marymount after building USC in to a Division II club lacrosse power, including winning the 2002 national championship, which earned him a promotion to Division I this year.

Hopkins said the players to watch for the Lions are midfielder Jon Wiley, who had a goal against Cal and who was a WCLL All-Star last year, and midfielder Charley Kelly, who had one goal and two assists in their opener.

"They have lots of good young players," Hopkins said. "They are really good."