Women's lacrosse team looking for payback

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore attacker Praecia Costley (25) goes for a loose ball in front of the UCSD goal during last Sunday's game. The women's lacrosse team faces off against Cal-Poly and UC-Santa Barbara Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. at Wildcat Field.

It showed in two 10-4 losses to Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo and UC-Santa Barbara.

Since then, the Wildcats have gelled as a team, and last weekend pulled off their first win of the season, 8-4 against UC-San Diego to improve to 1-4. This weekend they get another shot at Cal-Poly and the Gauchos, who come to Wildcat Field Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. both days.

"(We're) looking for payback, definitely," UA senior midfielder Ellen Higgins said. "We want it more this time."

UA head coach Josh Dreiband called Cal-Poly "nothing special," but said UCSB was "the best team in our league."

"I think, though, if we play our best we can beat them," he said.

Laxcats lose in overtime thriller

Under the dim lights of Wildcat Field, the UA Laxcats shined bright in a thrilling 14-13 loss to the No. 9 Michigan Wolverines.

The Laxcat offense showed an improved ability to be patient and move the ball in order to find an open shot as they jumped out to a 5-1 first quarter lead.

Sophomore midfielder Matt Wilkens scored four goals and added an assist to lead Arizona's offense.

"We have really worked in practice on settling down on offense and finding the open man," Wilkens said.

The Laxcats also got improved play from freshman goalie Jesse Carlaftes, who had his best game by far in the net, recording 13 saves.

Freshman attackman Blane Lochridge added four goals and an assist in the loss.

Arizona plays UCLA Saturday and Chapman University on Sunday. Both games are at 1 p.m. at Wildcat Field on 15th St. between Tucson and Plumer. - Chris Reimer

Men's volleyball faces tough matches against California and Stanford

The No. 1-ranked UA men's club volleyball team takes its 18-4 record into action this weekend with matches against Stanford and California. Head coach Steve Carlat said the match against the Cardinal, a Division I team, "should be a good measuring stick to where the team is at."

The match against California is even more important because of its club status. The Bears, who are ranked No. 9, will help prepare the Wildcats for nationals later in the year. Carlat said the Wildcats do not plan to prepare differently for either team.

"No matter who we are playing I try to structure our practices with as many different adverse conditions to see how they can handle them," he said.

Earlier in this season the Wildcats defeated the Bears when Cal was ranked No. 2.

- Joshua McClain

Rugby aims for conference lead

The winner of the SoCal Conference title could be decided this weekend as the UA rugby team takes a trip to play both UCLA and conference co-leader Long Beach State.

Team president and co-captain Paul Enegren said the Wildcats will play their "B" team against UCLA in order to keep the "A" team rested for the matchup against the 49ers.

Enegren said the Wildcats will not experience a letdown after having two weeks off because they were able to spend time last weekend working together at a fundraising event.

"The time off helped the team come together as a group," Enegren said. "If we can stay focused and come away with two wins this weekend, we should be able to come away with the conference crown."

The Wildcats play at UCLA at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and on Sunday at LBSU at noon.

- Chris Reimer