Laxcats flame out at national tourney

The Laxcats finished fourth in the four-day United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association's championship.

Brigham Young University, who the Laxcats lost to in the semifinals on Saturday, won the national club championship 15-11 over UC-Santa Barbara in yesterday's other game.

The UA game was close throughout, with the largest lead being the Laxcats' (12-6 overall) 3-0 advantage in the first quarter. The game was tied at the half and the Hokies led, 11-10 after the third period.

"(Today's game) was one in which the best team came out and wanted to win more," Laxcats head coach Mickey-Miles Felton said. "Maybe their players wanted to win more than some of ours did."

UA junior Dave Ames and senior Chris Stinson said they felt the team played well, but after four days, they just ran out of steam.

"(We) came out on fire today, but lost some of our muster during the second half," Ames said.

"Playing four games in four days may have played its toll on us," Stinson said.

Sophomore goalie Dave Beer had 17 saves in the loss.

In leading the Laxcats with his eight goals, senior tri-captain Josh Sfara broke the Arizona all-time record for goals in a season with 71. The previous high of 69 set by Evan Davis in 1984. Davis led the team that year, averaging a Laxcat record 10 points per game.

"It is a great honor to break the record of such a famous Arizona player, but I wish that it could have come in the national championship game, rather than a consolation game loss," Sfara said. "It is a great way to go out and be remembered after this year."

With his 104 total points, Sfara moved into fourth place for most points in a season, behind Davis, who holds the top three spots.

Sfara and junior attacker Bret Withey were named to the all-tournament team.