After patiently waiting more than a week, the Arizona men's club lacrosse team, (8-5, 2-1 Western Collegiate Lacrosse League) learned Monday evening that it will travel to Minnesota to play No. 5 Sonoma State (17-2, 3-0) in the first round of the United States Lacrosse Intercollegiate Association nationals, Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
The Laxcats, who have taken several days off from practice since suffering their 9-7 loss to ASU April 16, are ready and prepared for their competition in Blaine, Minn.
"It's good to be in at this point. We're happy where we stand, and we're at the point of our season where we know the adjustments we need to make," said Arizona head coach Ken Broschart.
The field of 16 is led by No. 1 BYU (13-3, 3-1 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League), which Arizona managed to defeat 9-8 in the early stages of the season.
Arizona will matchup with Sonoma State, who beat the Laxcats 10-6 in their second game of the 2005 campaign. But the Arizona players are ready to execute and step it up to another level of play where records lose their significance and heart becomes the X-factor.
The Laxcats will anticipate the offensive power of the Seawolves who have a diverse personnel, including junior midfielder Brian Johnson, who has scored 28 goals on the season.
In addition, Arizona will try to take hold of senior midfielder J.D. Hamann, who won 13 of 15 face offs, which led to a five-goal fourth period for the Seawolves in the last meeting between the two teams.
Broschart said he is also interested in keeping his players on their toes, awaiting the quick pace played by Sonoma State.
"It's those fast breaks that really got us in that last game," said Broschart.
In addition to Arizona and Sonoma State, the WCLL will be well represented in the tournament with a total of four teams, which also include No. 3 Santa Barbara (17-2, 4-0), and No. 9 San Diego (12-3, 2-1).