Laxcats advance to final four but lose to BYU

The Laxcats (12-5 overall) hurt themselves against the Cougars by serving 25 minutes in penalties after having none issued against them in the game versus the Auburn Tigers on the previous day.

"The officials were maybe calling things too closely and inconsistent," Laxcats head coach Mickey-Miles Felton said.

The Laxcats never got a flow going in the game, and had just two goals by the second period. They trailed at the half, 13-2.

"They (BYU) came out and put the ball in the goal," Felton said. "The best team on the field won the game. On another day, it could be a different story."

BYU will play UC-Santa Barbara for the national championship this afternoon. Arizona will play Virginia Tech at 8 a.m. today to determine third and fourth place.

The Laxcats' first round game against the Tigers on Friday was a different story, with the Laxcats winning, 20-2.

The attack of junior Max Webber and seniors Josh Sfara and Dave Wilner had 11 goals. In the game against the Cougars they had six.

Wilner and sophomore attacker Dan Price led the way for the Laxcats against Auburn, combining to score seven goals and four assists.

Felton said he felt that an opportunity slipped by the Laxcats this year, especially considering their No. 1 seed going into the tournament.

"(We) had a very successful season, especially being in the top four teams in the country," he said. "Our opportunity to win was great and it just slipped by us."

Felton, who was instrumental in the forming of a national championship for club teams, was not sure what the loss meant to him, but he was proud of his team.

"If this was my dream (winning a title)," he said. "I guess I have to go back to sleep and dream some more."