Though a 9-8 loss to second-ranked Santa Barbara last Sunday bumped the Arizona men's lacrosse team up a slot in the latest United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates' poll, the team isn't reaping empty rewards.

"We need to prove we're capable of playing with the top teams and capable of beating them," said junior midfielder Steve Luna.

Following a 2-1 homestand, the Laxcats resume road action this weekend in the Great Lake State, facing Michigan and Michigan State.

Arizona enters Ann Arbor, Mich., today on the heels of its near-upset of the Gauchos. After staking out a one-goal lead at halftime, the Laxcats surrendered seven unanswered goals in a pivotal third period for Santa Barbara, which kept its perfect record alive with the victory.

With his team forced to rebound at No. 5 Michigan, Arizona head coach Kenny Broschart stresses continuity from his players.

"A big thing for us is playing the whole game," Broschart said. "We haven't played a whole game yet."

The Laxcats line up against a Wolverine squad which features three of the top 10 scorers in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association, led by junior midfielder Ryan Clark. Clark and senior attackman Jeff Hanna have combined for more than 30 percent of the Wolverines' scoring output this season.

"The field that we play on in Michigan, of course, is going be to their advantage - different climate, different weather, different kind of field," Luna said. "We need to just come in and have all of us just help each other out, playing with each other and as one team, playing 60 minutes of lacrosse."

The Laxcats travel to East Lansing, Mich., Sunday to battle the Spartans. After starting the season ranked in the top 25, Michigan State quickly tumbled from the polls, dropping three of its first four games.

Attackman Paul Trahan leads the Spartans with 12 points, followed by Brian Baines with 11.

"Both teams are more finesse teams," Broschart said. "We need to really bully them and work hard. When we work hard, that's when good things happen for us."

Senior tri-captain Tom Wiley says it's put-up or shut-up time for Arizona.

"We need to prove that we belong at the top," he said. "Although the last game didn't go as we had hoped, I still think we're the top team in the nation. With wins this weekend, we'll show that."